Many of you have heard me tell this story while playing the Front Porch Song during our set, so this is for those of you who still need to come out to one of our shows. It was Christmas of '99. I had just started learning to play guitar a couple of months earlier and the only songs I could play were from the No. 2 Live Dinner Cd. Robert Earl Keen was and is the singer/songwriter who has had the most influence over the way I've tried to carve out a career in music. You could say he's one of my heroes. I was in school at the time and a buddy of mine told me about a radio contest KPFT was having here in Houston. You were supposed to record yourself singing an REK song and the winners got wonderful cash and prizes. Well…prizes at least. I laughed and didn't think twice about my friend's suggestion. As fate would have it, at 2a.m. after studying for a final, I decided what the hell, sat on my bed in front of my stereo, plugged in a $9 Sony microphone…and recorded the worst version of the Front Porch Song ever to be heard. This was back before the internet, cd burning, and mp3s were common. I looked in the phone book and found the address for the radio station, put the cassette in an envelope, and mailed it ATTN: REK Contest. I had visions of KPFT DJs gathering around and laughing at my sacriligious rendition of that song. I laughed at myself and went to bed.
A couple of days later, I had a message on my answering machine congratulating me as one of the Top 10 finalists in the competition and informing me to show up at Jake's BBQ and Blues that Friday night to perform live at the finals. I listened to the message again, went in my bedroom, changed my boxers, then came out and wondered what the hell I had gotten myself into. You see, at the time, the only audience I had played to was the television and coffee table in the living room in my apartment. And I'm pretty sure they were none too impressed with my playing and singing. To make a long story short, I practiced for 3 days straight and in true REK fashion, I got 2nd place. I could play faster than anyone in the competition. I won 2 backstage passes to the REK concert at the Verizon theatre. The day of the show I called my date and told her that I was going to buy a disposable camera then pick her up. Fancy digital cameras weren't around back then. She said not to bother, she had a fancy hi-tech camera with film in it and we'd use that. I said okay and off we went.
Well, REK's people took great care of us. They set up a table for us on the stage behind a curtain. We were about 20 feet away from the drum kit. We got to hang out with the Hollisters (who were opening), chit chat with Bryan Duckworth during their set, and hang out with REK. We took a ton of pics with Robert Earl and the band. It was by far one of the most memorable nights in my life. After the concert was over, I couldn't wait to get home and get the pics developed. I dropped off my date at her house…I don't think I even brought the truck to a complete stop. I just kind of slowed down and told her to jump and aim for that soft-looking leafy bush near the driveway. Then I hit the gas and headed for the nearest 24 hr Walgreens to get the pictures developed. I came back to the store early the next morning only to find all the pictures were completely black. The film was bad. I cried, I threw things, and uttered profanities that would make Eddie Murphy blush. It was a dreadful, selfish crime friends. And to be honest, the thought of that night still hurts…like listening to a Celine Dion song for more than 8 seconds.
But, here I am...8 yrs later, with a damn good band doing what we love and I'll be damned if we don't still throw in the Front Porch Song from time to time just as a reminder of where it all started. Follow your dreams friends. You may not achieve all that you hoped for, but sometimes the road along the way is better than the goal ever could be.
Hope you guys dig our new cd "July Rain" and come out and hang out with us at a show soon.
~EB