My Beer-Drinking, Pinball-Playing Bodyguard: April 5, 2013

So I've been feeling the urge to start singing more again... and just put the feelers out for any groups looking for a backing vocalist for their projects. I've gotten a few good responses and am planning on meeting with some of the musicians to see if we might be a good fit. As a result, I was reminded of a great Brian story.

Back around 1999 or so, while Brian and I were living together, I was seeking out musical outlets and had responded to a few ads for artists or bands looking for a female harmony vocalist to add to their group. I did meet up with one man and while it turned out to be just fine, the experience did leave me with a feeling of..."Did I REEEEALLY just show up at a stranger's garage apartment by myself? At night?? In the 'hood???" So I decided my next audition would include my brother Brian, my very own bodyguard. He wasn't super excited about going as he was pretty busy that evening, but he went with me anyway as I told him it shouldn't take too long-- we were just going to quickly run through a few songs.

We showed up and the guy greeted us and showed us around his home and studio and offered Brian a cold beer. His eyes lit up as he sipped his frothy beverage and spotted a pinball machine in the corner. The guy saw him oogling it and said, "You are free to play that while we rehearse over here if you'd like. And the fridge is in the next room... help yourself to another beer when you're ready."

Brian was grinning like a delirious fool the entire time and was actually pretty disappointed when it was time to leave. "Are you sure you guys gave it enough practice for tonight? One more song? I was totally owning that pinball machine and the beer was pretty tasty." He said he would gladly make himself available to me for future rehearsals.

I miss my beer-drinking, pinball-playing bodyguard.