Train
I may not havebeen Melody’s type, but she was most definitely mine. The woman lookedgoddamned perfect to me. Plus, her personality was nothing like I thought itwould be. I figured she’d be a total diva, but she was just as down to earth asher sisters.
Melody pointedat me and shouted, “You’re hired!”
“I thought thegig was already mine.” I chuckled.
“No, I mean forour Orange Salad tribute band,” she said.
“Count me outlove,” Puddin’ said, pulling his pants up. “I’ve already seen the inside of toomany courthouses at the behest of my former bandmates. The very last thing Iwant to do is feed any more bloody lawyers.”
“Okay, then.We’ll start a new band called… the… the Puddin’ cups.”
“Point to thestage and I’ll be there, doll,” Puddin’ said.
Just as we werewrapping up the rehearsal, Jerry from Centaur Guitars showed up with anassortment of guitars and amps available to rent for the tour. Since my whiteLes Paul was forbidden from the stage, I played several guitars that couldserve as a suitable replacement and then Jerry showed me a 1961 Gibson SG thathad been custom painted in my favorite color, Pelham blue.
“What’s thestory with this one?” I asked.
“That one’s asexy beast,” Jerry replied. “The refinish knocked the value down a bit, but sheplays like a dream and screams like a demon.”
When I pluggedthe guitar into my amp and began to play, I felt like King Arthur pullingExcalibur from the stone. I’d never felt anything like it. I’ve played andowned countless guitars over the years, but this one felt as if it were madejust for me.
“How much do youwant for this guitar?” I asked.
“We have astanding rental agreement with Melody, so anything here you’d like to take onthe tour is covered,” Jerry replied.
“No, I mean tobuy. I want this guitar.”
“Sorry, man. Nocan do. All this gear is for rental only. If you want to come by the shop, I’llbe more than happy to give you a screaming deal on anything you’d like. Butthis one stays in our stable of rental guitars.”
“I guess I’lljust have to enjoy her while I can,” I replied. “I’ll give you my phone numberin case you ever decide to sell.”
Once we weredone, the techs tore down our gear in record time and headed to the arena toset up tonight’s show.
* * *
Rehearsalcouldn’t have gone smoother.
Soundcheck, onthe other hand, was nerve wracking as hell.
I’d playedplenty of shows, but never anything close to this size and scope. The stage wasmassive, and we spent most of sound check going over exactly where my ass wassupposed to be during each song. For the most part, I’d be standing stageright, next to Vic. This was my assigned zone, and I was only to leave itduring specific cues. I was also instructed to stay clear of the “hot zones” ofthe stage, which were marked off with yellow tape. Hot zones were areasdesignated for pyrotechnics. One step too close and you could lose an eyebrow.Two steps too close and you might lose your life.
After a fewhours of sound adjustments, partial song run-throughs, and stage blocking, Iwas as ready as I’d ever be. Meaning, I was so nervous I felt like I was gonnashit out a pineapple. Looking out into the empty arena, the scope of what I wasabout to do suddenly became very real.
I was standingin my zone, mentally going over my stage cues while Vick and his tech workedout an issue with his monitoring system, when Melody sauntered over to me.
“How’s the‘Little Engine Who Could’ doing?” she asked.
“I think I canrock, I think I can rock…”
“You’re gonna begreat,” she said. “If you get lost, look to Vick and he’ll get you back ontrack. And remember to have fun.”
I sighed. “Iknow you’ve been doing this all your life, but would it kill you to look atleast a little bit nervous?”
“You kidding?I’m scared shitless,” she whispered. “New tour. New songs. New me. How could Inot be?”
“For what it’sworth, you don’t look scared.”
