I first met Don Decker in August of 2002 when he came into my theatre, the Plaza Maplewood, to see Scooby Doo with his girlfriend and his girlfriend's daughter. He was wearing a Jersey MetalFest t-shirt which immediately sparked up a conversation between the two of us. Instead of watching the movie, he sat out in the lobby with me and we talked about everything metal and he told me about his promotions. Contact information was exchanged and before I knew it, I was producing my very first heavy metal show - Blind Guardian & Symphony X - which premiered at Station 4 on December 9, 2002.
When I showed up to that show, I was wearing my trademark black leather gauntlets. Decker looked at me with that growly look he had perfected to an art and then broke into a creepy smile. He said, "Whoa, you show up to a power metal show in black leather gauntlets? You're the SwordLord - that's your new nickname!" It stuck. Within a month, I was known as The SwordLord - "Swords" to Decker, "The Lord of All Swords" by Earl Root and a whole host of other derivatives. Decker basically single-handedly established my persona in the metal community which helped pave the way for everything that has followed since.
To say that Don Decker was a difficult person to get a long with would be the understatement of the year. It's no mystery that Decker was a conflicted individual, was prone to violent mood swings and was very angry at just about everything.
What I can say about Decker is that he was fiercely loyal to those who stood by him and to those who flew the metal flag. In this business that is filled with treachery, deceit and "smiling salesman" (as Decker used to call them) - Decker was 100% honest and never took a dime that didn't belong to him. Decker stood up for the little bands and made sure that locals always had a spot to open before a national legend. (To this day, Decker remains one of the very, very few Minnesota promoters that put locals on national bills.) And of course, Decker's loyalty to metal and the passion he had for the music he loved was equivalent to the religious fervor of any religous zealot. He loved metal and loved being in the business. He woke up every morning doing what he loved and how many people can actually truly say that and not lie their ass off?
I wouldn't be in the metal promotion business if it had not been for Don Decker. Everything I am today is because of his guidance and instruction. I argue with anyone who takes issue with Decker's business strategies - he once told me, "Swords, rule #1 in the promotion business is that no matter how bad the show goes, the talent never gets fucked. Rule #2 is see Rule #1. " I have never forgotten that and it has served me well.
I will miss Don. If the local scene had 100 guys as loyal and as fierce about the music as he was, no promoter would ever go red on a show. And if this country had 100 promoters with Don's passion, the music business would be in far better shape than it is.
Rest in Peace, my metal brother. I have been and always will be your friend and protege'. You lived more in your short life than many people will in a life twice as long. May you find the eternal peace and rest that you richly deserve.
Nathan "The SwordLord" Block
10/11/2009