THE BEGINNINGS OF THE RAGAMUFFINS OF LOVE
part one
in the following weeks, we'll give you some background on the 4 people who make the music. most of you know about eff dupp, the scrappy rocker from ypsilanti, michigan who writes the songs, sings them, and basses them. more about him in future blogs.
but right now, let's look at saul goode, the quiet part of the ragamuffins of love.
saul, grew up in solvang, california, an odd little town built on tourism. he worked as a busboy in a local eatery, but quit when forced to don green leiderhosen by the restaurant management.
he'd been studying guitar online for a few years, and felt he'd mastered the instrument enough to take a shot at a career in the business. with nothing but his guitar, a small crate amp, and his pet iguana 'fritz', saul hit the road.
his first gigs were in texas, where it seems anyone can gig. saul wasn't well received...his act consisted of little known neil young songs slowed down considerably.
after that misstep, he began to roam aimlessly, finding himself in western kentucky. hungry and broke, he stopped in chuck's diner, hoping to bus tables in exchange for a meal. instead he met someone who'd change his life.
while he waited for chuck to come out of the kitchen, two shabby types caught his eye in a nearby booth. they seemed to be arguing about something music related. he couldn't help but intercede.
"it was the sweet", saul told them. "no way", the young man shot back. "they didn't even chart until 'ballroom blitz'. i still say it was bo donaldson and the heywards."
"no, he's right", replied the girl who sat on the other side of the booth. saul notices she smiled at him in a way he hadn't expected.
She introduced herself to the stranger with the weird pet. "I'm Kaye and this is Amadou. We do a double here in town, covering every boy/girl duet that was ever a hit. Sometimes we argue about rock history. But you're right, 'little willy' was the sweet."
"of course. bo donaldson only charted twice."
Amadou chimed in. "yeah, and one of the hits was 'little willy'." he started to sing, a little off key...."willy, don't be a hero...."
"ah, there's your problem, pal. you're thinking of billy. that was bo donaldson."
realizing his mistake, he reached out his hand to saul. "amadou schbagg. sorry."
"saul goode", replied the man with the gig bag on his back. then he turned to the young lady. "mind if i join you?"
she took his hand. "kaye serat."
"serat?"
"whatever will be," she answered.
"will b?" saul replied, not sure if he understood kaye's remark. "i met a will b in texas. but i'm saul goode."
he sat down with his two new friends and they remained in that booth for 11 hours, talking about music.
soon, the double was a trio, and with saul's smooth vocals, they were able to get gigs all around the western kentucky, southern ohio area, even playing shows near cincinnati on occasion.
soon, the three would meet a wanderer from michigan, and history would be made.
but for now, saul had found a home, friends, and a musical identity.