“Ladies and gentlemen, our headliner, the Chance Blaze Band, will be up in a bit. Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy Two Thirds Irish, here by popular demand for one more set. Give it up for them.”
The crowd was in a good mood and ready to party. We started off with ‘Shake Your Moneymaker’ adding a few runs to extend it a bit. I was moving around during my solo and got a good look at the surprise on Freddie’s face. We followed with ‘Higher On The Mountain Of Love’ and ‘White Cliffs Of Dover’, an Eric Johnson instrumental that takes a bit of skill. Moira killed it. We did ‘Love Me Do’, and then did a Supremes number, ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’ with Jim and I pretending to be the backup singers, singing in falsetto.
We slowed down and did ‘Perfect’. By then it had gotten dark, and the lighting tech did a good job keeping the spotlight on Moira. Then it was time to end it.
We knew what we were going to play, but she worked the crowd one more time.
“Last song before Chance comes out and gives you a real show. Anything special you want to hear?”
Of course, those that had been listening to us all weekend started into yelling ‘Let It Rock’, and Jimmy had already started the intro, extending it with a drum solo. We tore the house down, and yes, I did slide across the stage and Moira did end up standing on my chest. I’ll go to my grave remembering that applause. And the bruises.
People were actually calling for more when Freddie walked out on stage and grabbed a mike.
“I’m supposed to follow this? Damn guys, you could have left me something to work with here.”
He looked at me.
“Tell you what, why don’t we do one together before ya’ll go.”
He turned to the crowd. “That suit you guys?”
Of course they were screaming and yelling.
How could we refuse. We huddled for a second, deciding what to do. He brought his bass player on stage.
“He grabbed the mike.
“Here’s one you wouldn’t expect from me.”
‘Flirtin’ With Disaster’ was the biggest hit Molly Hatchett ever had, the epitome of Southern rock.
He screamed the lyrics while Moira and I did some blistering guitar work. The crowd was going crazy. When the last thundering notes were fading he yelled “Be right back” and left the stage.
His equipment was already set up, and he had his crew help us, so we were off the stage pretty fast. He stopped us backstage.
“Hang around you guys, enjoy the show. I might ask you to come back and play one more with me.”
Like we were gonna say no.
He put on a good show, but as I listened I couldn’t help but notice all his songs were formulaic and lacked something undefinable. They sold, but they didn’t push his talent. He did very few ballads, bread and butter for a country singer.
True to his word, he brought me back on a couple numbers for some slide work, and Moira did some small leads. Jimmy actually played more than both of us, doing tympani and conga work.
Crystal stayed until the end, Sam had found a reliable sitter and the kids were back at the house, but just as soon as it was over they left. Moira and I stayed a bit longer, talking to Freddie.
He was impressed with us.
“Good show guys. How long you been playing together?”
“About three days.” Moira said in a matter of fact voice.
“Really?”
“Yes really. Jim and Wiley have been playing together for about three years. I came on board just to help their buddy Sam out. We probably won’t play anymore after this.”
We could hear the sadness in her voice.
Freddie couldn’t believe it.
“Are you crazy? I’ve played all my life, since I was twelve, and I can recognize chemistry. You had the crowd jumping, begging for more. Think about it, please.”
I had been thinking about it.
“Don’t give up on us. Jim and I have a commitment to Soundwave for another three months, after that we can do what we want. We’ve about run our course. New blood keeps us fresh. I was thinking Moira and maybe a keyboard player would make a hell of a combination.”
“Of course, we haven’t really discussed it.”
I was looking at her the whole time. She had a pleased smile on her face.
……………………
On the way back to the house I brought it up.
“What I said to Freddie, about a new group, are you interested?”
She was driving, and without taking her eyes off the road she said “Yes”.
“Great! But you need to know, it plays havoc with a home life. Working every weekend, traveling, will your husband be all right with it?”
Again she didn’t take her eyes off the road.
“He won’t mind. He works all the time, he probably won’t even notice I’m gone.”
Her voice was flat, emotionless. Something was wrong in Stewartville.
“Well, let’s talk to Jim in the morning.”
…………………
We had invited Freddie and his band to an old fashioned Sunday lunch. I ran out and got chicken, cabbage, and potatoes, and flour the next morning.
I made slaw, potato salad, fried chicken, and homemade biscuits. The girls made two chocolate cakes and three strawberry pies. Sweet iced tea, with lemonade and sodas for the kids. There was a salad for the health conscious. There was also a huge pot of green beans.
Freddie and three of his band showed up, the rest opted to sleep in.
They gorged. Apparently they missed home cooking. Any leftovers were claimed by Freddie, particularly the pies.
Freddie was a big hit with the kids. After we sat for awhile, passing acoustic guitars and singing old songs just for the pleasure of it, they talked him into walking down to the river.
The river was wide and shallow for the most part, going into a curve with a deep pool at the end. The kids immediately splashed into the shallows, yelling and splashing.
Moira had on a one piece covered by a pair of Daisy Dukes. The boys in the band were getting an eyeful and enjoying it. I didn’t know how to feel about it.
The kids kept calling for Freddie to get in the water. He had on a pair of cutoffs and a hat, but refused. His bandmates slipped up behind him, grabbed him, and tossed him into the pool.