Back on the Stage

Being able to create music was the only thing that was still nourishing my soul. The long-postponed band project, interupted by the murder of my Mom was finally happening. And it was a very good band. More importantly, it was a very close band, exactly the opposite of what I had just experienced in Detroit, and exactly what I needed to regain my lost confidence. All the guys in it were friends. I have a twin brother, who is nine minutes older than me. Fraternal twins. Definetely different eggs. He is a very talented singer and was always an excellent showman. When I got back to Conn., we agreed to try a new musical project together. We had been in bands before, but that ended when he got involved with the nightclub, and I went to Chicago. He agreed to let me put together a band that would be built around him as a front man. My job, as Musical Director, was to pick the musicians, and select repertoire based on our common musical interests and skills. The drummer who had worked with me for three years before I left for Chicago, and had come to Detroit with me; got the nod. I also brought in an excellent guitarist/songwriter, whom I had been very close friends with since we were teenagers, and on bass, a guy from the next town who not only played very well, but who fit in with all of us like he'd been there all along. I switched off on keyboards and guitars, and did all the arranging. We named the group The Foster Brothers Band, using the Allman Brothers Band as a model. Songs flew together in rehearsal. There was a  spirit of teamwork, mutual respect, and common ground that felt incredible, and as any musician can tell you, to find that "chemistry" is difficult, if not rare, and when you do find it, it's very special. This band was like a family, and in a very short time the band was sounding like it had been together for years. It was not the first time I had put together a good band, but it was the first time since I had gained all that touring experience in Chicago and Detroit. And the difference was noticeable. From the very first gig, word of mouth reports on the band were very positive. High paying gigs and fairly large club venues, as well as huge audience turnouts happened almost immediately, and we were just getting started. There was only one problem. My brother hated to rehearse.