Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007:
"They will have to pry that old Hofner bass from my cold, clenched, lifeless fingers before I stop playing!!!" And just imagine that statement in the tambor of a grumpy old man for added effect. That seems to be a thought that occasionally runs through my cluttered mind these August days. The summer push is just about over, and with it...one of our most successful and enjoyable seasons ever. I really don't think I'm ready for it to end. It's too soon. There are still too many old friends to run into, new people to meet, and songs to play.

Just over a week ago, Fetish Lane had the pleasure of making our annual trip to Candor, NY to play Royce & Lynne's "Joining Fest". After surviving the perilous journey down I-88 and 17 West with Darin Trass at the wheel of Ken's truck (you would know what I meant if you rode with him), we pulled into the driveway to be greeted by a barrage of handshakes, hugs, and kisses. After dispensing with the formalities of arriving, I decided to take a stroll through Lynne and Royce's backyard...check out the lay of the land so to speak. I immediately noticed that things had been purposely scaled back a bit from the previous year. There were not as many people there. It was mainly family, friends, and the stalwart Rooney Mountain gang that have taken Lynne and Royce in as part of their flock. It was very comfortable...much more than before. I felt extremely relaxed and very at home. When playing out, sometimes I develop a feeling of anxiety when faced with the prospect of talking to several new people. I call it "crowd syndrome". I do not consider myself to be an effective face to face communicator when it comes to dealing with many new people at once. At times I feel like I struggle for the right words to say, or that I still need to entertain people (only without a guitar in my hands). But none of these things ran through my mind. I immediately felt at home in my surroundings. I was among old friends.

As I walked down the make-shift alley-way of RVs and tents, I ran into familiar faces. I was immediately greeted by the "Godfather of Rooney Mountain", Dave Baskerville and Natalie. I then ran into Ken and Ginger who no sooner as said hello, offered me food from the family style barbecue that was about to commence. How cool is that? Next it was Curt and Nicky, with Choppa in tow. I like to call their daughter Nickolena "Choppa" because it always gets her in the mood for a little mischief!!! To her, it's like Tiny E throwing down the gauntlet...laying down the challenge. To me there is nothing like stirring the pot a little (where she is concerned). And besides, I think she's come to expect nothing less of me. I had to sit down for at least a few minutes and catch up with that crew. Then across the way from Curt and Nicky was Frank, with the Winnebago I've affectionately began referring to as the "Fetish Express". I was immediately challenged in a game of bocce ball.

As I walked back over to the truck to help unload equipment, and begin setting up the PA system, I could not help but to think how perfect this day was. The weather was absolutely beautiful. I was surrounded by people who I genuinely enjoy their company, and I was about to play music all night. It has always amazed me that people liked us so much, that they would be willing to spend their own hard-earned dollars, to literally invite us into their own home to play music for them and their friends. And in the greater scheme of things, it wasn’t so long ago that we actually met these people. And now, when I don't see them at a gig, I begin to worry that they are ok. Where are Lynne and Royce? They weren't at the gig last week. Do you think they are ok? Not all that long ago, we barely knew these people...all of these people in this back-yard gathering of friends. And now I cannot imagine them not being around all the time. If Curtis and Nicky do not call at least three times a week, strange thoughts creep into my mind. Oh, god...is Curt mad about something? Did they go on vacation and forget to mention it to me? I know it sounds silly, but when you develop relationships with people, these thoughts become part of one's everyday routine (well...at least mine). I guess if one didn't care, these things would never occur to them. It just always strikes me funny how circumstance rears its head, because we actually met Curtis when he came to hook up Izzy's satellite dish. Now he and his family are everyday fixtures in my life. He has become a good friend. I guess this is the way that these things happen.

So anyways...Ken once lyricized..."and it all goes by so fast". Seven words never rang so true in my life lately. There is this long build up of things to come, and before you can blink, it's gone (almost like Christmas for a child). It seems to take forever to arrive, and inevitably flies by before you have the chance to fully enjoy it. And as almost to cue, so went the night. It was time to pack up, say good-bye, and travel home. After the cat calls of "one more song" and "Freebird" subsided, it was time to unwind, and undoubtedly replay the night's activities in my head. I was really tired and decided to sit down for a moment before we began the arduous task of wrapping cords, moving speakers, and packing a truck.

So off I wandered, away from the glow of colored flood-lights and makeshift campfire pit, to a secluded area on the front lawn where I could be alone with my thoughts. I could hear a girl wailing away classic country to an empty campfire, while cautiously picking the companion melodies on an old mandolin. A few people stuck around, but I stealthily remained in the shadows so as not to be seen. Once in awhile you could hear them sing a particular lyric they happened to remember, but would more often then not be sonically squashed by the powerful little blond with a black cowboy hat. Don't get me wrong...I'm not saying she was bad by any means. In fact, she was quite good. But this was my time, and I desperately needed to concentrate on the perfect night sky above. Two days earlier, a co-worker (who follows such things) informed me that a meteor shower would occur on this very night. And if you were in an area away from the city lights, the view could be quite spectacular. While these words rang through my consciousness, I began to think about playing again. I began to think about the good times, all the wonderful people who have happened into my life as a result of music, and how I wasn't about to let the perfect ending to a perfect day allude me. So I proceeded to plug my ears and gaze into the night sky, because I knew this would also soon pass...leaving me waiting for the next evening I could play music in the company of good friends.

Fetish Lane is an American Roots Music Band. Members include Ken Held, Israel Lorimer, Ed Gliha, John Edick, Darrin Trass and Brian O'Connell.

Photography featured on this website was done in large part by friends, fans and family of the band including, but not limited to the following folks: Nikki Bisaha, Sarah Lewis, Aliscia Gaucher, Stacie Edick, Noelle Dasilva, and Johann Cash.

Website design and construction by: Thirsty Fish Graphic Design and Fetish Lane.