June 22, 2007 - Friday
Tonight I went down to the free Thursday night concert that is known as "Sundown In The City" that is held in Market Square in Downtown Knoxville. I have been a fan of DBT since I discovered the double cd "Southern Rock Opera" shortly before they signed with Lost Highway Records and with the line up of Patterson Hood, Mike "Stroker Ace" Cooley, Jason Isabell, Earl Hicks & Brad "EZB" Morgan. After falling in love with this excellent concept album of what it was like to grow up in The South in the 70's when "Arena Rock" was king! I could go on and on about this album but that is not the point of this post. I also discovered the albums that was originally released on the "Soul Dump" lable. A song that hit pretty close to home for me was the song "The Living Bubba" which was originally recorded on the 1998 album "Gangstabilly" and was on the live "Alabama Ass-Wuppin' " cd.
THE LIVING BUBBA
I wake up tired and I wake up pissed
wonder how I ended up like this
I wonder why things happen like they do
but I don't wonder long cuz I got a show to do
I'm sick at my stomach from the A.Z.T.
Broke at my bank cuz that shit ain't free
but I'm here to stay (at least another week or two)
I can't die now cuz I got another show to do
Don't give me no pity don't give me no grief
Wit till I die for sympathy
Just help me with this amp and a guitar or two
I can't die now cuz I got another show to do
Don't give me no preachin' no self servin'
I ain't no angel but nobody's deserving
I can dance on my own grave, Thank You!
but I can't die now cuz I got another show...
Some people keep saying I can't last long
but I got my bands I got my songs,
liquor, beer, and nicotine to help me along
and I'm drunk and stubborn as they come
chain smoking, guitar picking, til I'm gone
I ain't got no political agenda
Ain't got no message for the youth of America
'cept "Wear a rubber and be careful who you screw"
and come see me next Friday cuz I got another show...
Some people stop living long before they die
Work a dead end job just to scrape on by
but I keep living just to bend that note in two
and I can't die now cuz I got another show...
For background info about Gregory Dean Smalley please check out the following link... http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/181%20/the_living_bubba
On September 27th 1999 I lost my younger brother Roy to AIDS. It was a bit of a struggle for him but he kept busy until the end. He bravely face death and through all the pain he tried to keep busy. What little money he did get went for his meds.....my sister Lorraine took care of him & helped with the basic needs (food & cigarettes) and I made his car payment every month. So you see how I relate to the lyrics of "the Living Bubba".....and anytime I hear it performed live I always get choked up and the tear ducts well up.
A very good friend of mine in Detroit by the name of Paul is at this moment is very sick and it is looking grim. Much like my brother & Gregory Dean Smalley he is trying to make for "one more show"...... I was able to make it up to Detroit to see Heaven And Hell, Megadeth & Machine Head @ Cobo Arena with him (see pics). He was able to get his recorder in when I couldn't so he "covered" me when I couldn't even though he must have been in terrible pain and being extremely tired to boot! Paul wants to go and see Marilyn Manson & Slayer next month and I hope he will.....
So...tonight when The Truckers played "Bubba" instead of thinking of my brother I was thinking about Paul's health and I heard the song in a whole new way.
Please God....let him have "another show".......
No comments:
Post a Comment