Another Month Closer

After the AC/DC show, and the realization that an agenda of my brother's was the reason we hadn't gotten any bookings, I was literally on my own. I had no real chance. The few places that I had dealt with were not ready to book us back yet, due to the rotation delay..and our frequent appearances at the club, combined with the new disagreement between me and my brother, pretty much created a problem there, as well. Trying to personally overcome the damage and the slander created by him, was impossible. He was a powerful force in the New England music business, and since he had more credibility with club owners than I did, and since we were the target of that slander, when I tried to get a booking..it appeared to the club owners that I had a better reason to lie than he did..so it was an exercise in futility. It was 60 days before my meeting with Tony Oteda, and I knew that it was going be a very difficult job keeping the morale within the band up, because we had no bookings at all. That turned into a blessing though, because it was right around this time that Mark was stricken with  Hepititis. On top of everything else, now Mark was very sick, too. It gave me was a reason why I could tell everyone we were not taking any gigs for a while..but the truth was..there weren't any gigs, and I didn't really know if there would be until Tony and I met. I wouldn't wish Hepititis on anyone, especially Mark, having had it myself, but it did stave off a lot of grumbling. That week, I got a call from a local club, located at a bowling center, asking if we'd play there in three weeks, for New Years Eve. I knew I shouldn't say no, but I didn't want to say yes. There was something wrong with the  picture... from a sold out show with AC/DC, to a bar at a bowling alley. It was depressing. I called Mark, to ask how he was, and to find out if he thought he'd be well enough to play. He told me to take the gig..he'd be OK by then. With great reluctance, I confirmed the date, but found it very difficult to spit out the words.."We'll do it"..and I thought ..what the hell is happening?