Friendship

I began my stories about my music career by talking about how I started playing  music.  It was because of my friendship with three guys that wanted to start a band.  Friendship also allowed me to continue in music even after I thought I was through.   At the end of 1963 Gary Sullivan was asked to come to Boise Idaho to join a group Made up of two former members of our group and the former drummer of The Champs.  After some discussion with Gary I decided to go along.  Now why would I do that? Well I was 20 years old, I had no idea what I was gonna do, I thought it would be fun and because my best friend was going.  Gary Sullivan and I had been friends since I was in the eighth grade.  We were as close as brothers.   My kids, til this day still call him “uncle Gary”    For many years you never saw one without the other.  I always knew he “had my back” and the same applied to him.  I remember one time not so long ago I happened to be in an auto repair shop in Holdenville.  There was a guy there that asked me didn’t I used to play in a band with Gary Sullivan.  When I answered yes he started bad mouthing Gary over a car deal or something I’m not sure what it was.  He went on and n til I had heard enough.  I said” now listen bud I know him very well and I know what you’re saying is not true and if you keep it up I’m gonna do my best to whip your ass”   Well I don’t know where I got the nerve to say that because I couldn’t whip him.  Thankfully it worked. He shut up.  The mechanic in the shop heard the whole exchange and turned to me and said.  “ man I wish I had a friend that would stick up for me like that”  I said “ to have a friend you gotta be a friend”  I say all that to explain how we both took the trip to Idaho.  Later on I will explain how I ended up in the band.

Next a nightmare trip out west