It all started with a phone call from Andy my dear friend and band mate of Gross Nat. Happiness. He say's talk to this women. He was at Birds where he works as a bartender talking with her when someone mentioned it was a crowded house. He said " Crowded House was one of his favorite bands". She say's her husband plays in that band and is reforming. He asks who's playing drums? Knowing they're former drummer Paul Hester passed away. She then explains they're auditioning in Melbourne, Sidney, Auckland and in L.A in a week. He said "I have the perfect drummer". So I got on the phone and through her husband Mark, got an audition.

It was a blast. I had to play "Mean To Me", "Now We're Getting Somewhere", "Pineapple Head" and " Four Seasons In One Day". Which I just took in and enjoyed. I love that song. I felt really good about the audition. Neil asked me if I sang after I was done playing. Yes I do. I made a joke about getting Coachella tickets as a consolation prize if I didn't get the gig. I asked Neil if would mind saying hello to a friend. I then called Andy, a big Neil fan, and I said "Andy I have someone who wants to talk to you" . Neil got on the phone and made Andy's week. I heard Neil thanking him for offering up his drummer for the Crowded House cause, lol. He also tells Andy they have more drummers to hear. I'm thinking to myself "no way we're done here. You found me!!"

So now it's wait until I hear some news. I was checking my phone, web sites ect.. It was 2 weeks to the day. I'm in route to my dentist Appt. I get a call from Julia from Neil Finns office asking for my email. I give it to her. Why my email? Availability? Sorry no thanks? Contract info? I'm going crazy I have to get home and check my friggin' email. I call my lovely wife who now is freaking out.

My wife is most supportive , protective of my drumming and musical life. She puts me on a pedestal I don't deserve. We are blessed with the most incredible love affair, even after 11 yrs of marriage inlc. 8 yrs before we wed. We both love each others company. So I know she has mixed emotions. On one hand what an amazing career opportunity, and on the other I'm gone for months at a time. They did say a world tour!

So I race home and check the email. It's a very classy email from the guys that basically say's thanks for coming down and playing , but they haven't found the right person yet and good luck with your music. I call Mark and leave a voice mail thanking him for the opportunity. He calls me back and says sorry and that he enjoyed my drumming and had fun. What a great bunch of guys I hope their new album goes multi- platinum. I find out a few weeks later that Matt Sherrod , Beck's former drummer got the nod. I'm looking forward to hearing what he brings to the band. ( a little jealous ? Sure.)

So I don't have to be away from my wife (silver lining) and I can concentrate on the tasks at hand. Back to the phrase "good luck with your music".

So continues my musical journey ….. Eddie