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i can't find a pencil....

You gonna write me a 'scrip? Cool!
I just got back from Citykings practice, it went well, things are good with the CKs...but when I got home, there was a message from Pee Wee Bowen. He wanted to talk to me about a lot of things. First off, he said my work ethic and manners as a professional musician are perfectly in line with everybody else in his band, which played a major part in his asking me to join. Also, he said that my playing and singing fits in perfectly with his band's style (blues, soul, rock 'n roll and occasionally a country song). He noted my version of "Suzie Q" as being as Fogerty-like as if it were JF singing it himself. I told him, it's a prestigious and honorable gig. It's something I never expected I'd end up being offered, and I am very much deliberating whether or not to do it...my reasons for doing it are obvious: I'd be making a LOT of money on the side, and I'd also be able to say yes, that's my gig. I'm the guitar player for Pee Wee Bowen...he told me he loved what I did on keyboards with him, but Loren is going to stick and he likes what I do on guitar for him better than anything else I did before that. He told me to take some time and think it over...I told him I needed to do that, because I'm still with the Citykings and they're looking at finding some gigs, too, and I don't want to hurt them. That's my big hangup. He said he doesn't want to hurt them, either...he's heard us play and he said we were a great band and he wouldn't want to break that up. But he also said he's not going to book every single weekend, he's going to go 5 or 6 weekends in a row and then take a weekend off, with a Friday night off every 3 or 4 weeks...I thought "There's the Citykings gig..." He told me the band is making around a thousand a month per man and he's negotiating for more. I said if I commit to play for him, then he can expect that I'll be on it 100%, he's seen me work and he knows what to expect from me...it was all very, very positive. He told me if I decide not to go full-time, it's cool, he'll understand, but if I do, then off we go.

I never thought I'd be in this position. It's up to me to decide whether or not to play in one of the most popular and well-respected bands in this town. On GUITAR, no less. It's like winning some kind of lottery or something, only I'm getting this offer based on what I've done with that band. Pee Wee told me all of the guys said to call me as soon as they found out that Jimmy quit. I sure appreciated hearing that. They're great guys and great players. I'm going to take a few days and think it over...I told Pee Wee I'd be playing with him next weekend at some convention in League City and I should be able to give a firm answer by then. He was cool with that. Cheers, WC1

WOW WC. I wish I could give you some words of wisdom, but this is one of those deals you have to work out for yourself & your family. It's great {but not at all unexpected} that you are in such demand. All the best to you.

That's great news, John. Hard decision, but this sounds like a terrific way to go. I would talk to Bill and the guys and see what they want do to. I would hope that the two bands' schedules would mesh perfectly (in a perfect world). There will undoubtedly be some conflicts. I would hope that the CK guys would see this is an incredibly important step. It is a hard decision for sure. Best thing to do would probably be to talk to Bill and then the other guys and gauge the reaction... good luck. bp

I made a very difficult decision and I called Pee Wee today and told him that I have talked to the two other bands I play in as well as my family, and I am going to stay with what I've already got and keep doing it. I didn't know what to expect him to say (I agonized over making that call), but he immediately said it's cool, Big Bad John. You're still going to work for me when you can, though, right? I said every time I can do it, I'll be there. He said well, that'll be fine, then. I just wanted you to know you have the gig if you can swing it, but those bands need you to keep 'em together and that's what I expected. Don't worry, I'll be using you more in the future. I said, use me till you get a permanent guy and keep me on your A-list and...he goes, oh, yes. Yes. That's your gig. He said he appreciated me calling and letting him know straight-up without leaving anybody in a gray area about it, and now he knows how I'll fit in. It was an extremely positive conversation and it will work out for the best in the long run for all of us...I'll be in the studio with the Citykings coming up soon to finish up "Apple of my Eye" and both them and the Whiskey Saints, who I've put in a lot of hard work with, putting together almost 4 sets of completely different but highly danceable hits from the 50s and 60s, have some gigs coming up. Saturday I'm playing from 1-3 with the Citykings at the grand opening of a new gym, and that night I'm playing with Pee Wee in League City at the convention center. It's a big private party, some guy's 60th birthday, and we're going to make good money. He already knew what I'm doing, and he already knew that I was going to say what I did. He told me that. But he just wanted me to know I earned the offer. Pee Wee Bowen is one great guy. Cheers, WC1

Cat,
The only comment I can come up with is Wow & Cool and that doesn't even begin to describe the posistion you are in. !!!!!!

This is great, John. Both Pee Wee and you showed how classy you are with your respective responses to this situation. bp

WC, always sees the big picture! Congrats on being offered the gig.

True class and selfless-ness was displayed on BOTH of your parts, Cat. (You AND Pee Wee).....He still gets to benefit from your talents (albeit on a limited basis) and the City Kings and the Whiskey Saints also have you at their disposal......(<perhaps not the best choice of words in this case, but you get the idea)....Congrats, my Friend!!!