1. In the beginning…

| April 15, 2014 | Reply

This series could go on for quite some time, and could quit any moment.

Little ol' Mary Jane, 2014

Little ol’ Mary Jane, 2014

It will be ‘blog’ style, and basically the story of my life in the music business. It’s kind of a ‘have to’ because of the flood of memories that swooshed around me as I drove to, arrived at, and remain at Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerrville, the home of the Kerrville Festivals. 

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Many people have one chance at life, some get two. I’ve had three.

Born the first time, belly button born.

Born the second time, Christ born.

Born the third time — life as I know it began the day I woke up lying in my vehicle, unfemininely covered in bodily fluids, leftovers from the night before. But also covered in some mysterious way, shrouded almost, with feelings of hope and peace and “I think I should, I think I can, I know I can.”

I went to my first 12-step meeting that night. Haven’t had to make another ‘first’ meeting since; decades later, I have never had to take another drink.

The next day I went back to work, only to find that I didn’t work there any more. My boss explained that to me my behavior, while drinking the night before, wasn’t exactly what they wanted of an employee.

I had been a part-time volunteer for several years at the Kerrville Festivals, and was scheduled to go on a Festival On The Road tour later that week, handling the logistics for boss Rod Kennedy.  So, I called him to explain to him that I was now in that 12-step program and if he didn’t want me around, either, I would understand. After all, that had already become normal for me… stop drinking, go to 12-step meeting, lose job.

Rod Kennedy surprised me, though. “Nonsense,” he said. “Come on, get on the bus— I’ve been wanting to talk to you about something anyway.” And that began my third beginning — working for Rod and the Kerrville Festivals.

Being here at the ranch and at Kerrville was 100% what I needed at the time… a safe place with safe people to be around, and lots of incredible recovery available to me.

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Category: MJ's Story/ Blog

About the Author ()

In the music production business, including event production, booking, photography, reporting, and other such essentials, since 1980.

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