Hey Bo Diddley   Well I’m sorry to say we’ve lost another rock-n-roll legend, the great Bo Diddley. But it brings back great memories of the two gigs we did together. I can’t think of anyone who is musically more famous. Almost any musician, anywhere, knows what you mean when you say “play that Bo Diddley beat”. From the first moment we met him he was never out of character. It wasn’t an act. What you saw was what you got. He was a big black man with a badge on his hat who was matter of fact and didn’t hesitate to scold me at our first sound check/rehearsal for not playing what he wanted. I had practiced a bunch of his songs so I would be ready for the gig. About half way though the first song we were practicing, he stopped the band and singled me out. He said “don’t play what I’m playing, that’s my riff. Just be yourself”. It was a little intimidating,to say the least. From that moment on I played around what he played with counter rhythms and melodies and it worked out fine. The gigs were sold out and it was great. The last day we ate lunch with Bo (bar-b-qed chicken) and talked about doing it again when he came back. But that would be the last time we would ever see him. It really makes you feel lucky, not many people can say they hammered the blues and ate bar-b-qed chicken with Bo Diddley. Thanks Bo, your beat will rock on forever.
    Upcoming Shows We’re looking forward to our “Roots of Steel” show June 14th at the Warrensburg Elks Lodge and June 15th at Knuckleheads in K.C. We will be joined by steel guitar great Brad Rigby. It’s always a good time and a little change of pace. We love it because we never get to do it anymore. It’s a big dose of old school country music. We hope to have some bootleg copies of Dads new c.d. “Johnny Nace Rediscovered”. This c.d. is a collection of 21 songs that never appeared on any of Dad’s albums. Digitally reproduced by Tommy and David Christopher. They have done an outstanding job and we’re still working to get Dads complete discogrophy posted. Also don’t be suprised if there’s a crazy guy with a crew filming this event. That’s right Ben Meade is going to film the Roots of Steel show. Maybe after this he’ll be done and we can start the editing process for the dvd. The Nace Experience, Life Long Road Trip, Drivin’ and Singin’, Musical Wasteland, Music: Under the Radar, whatever it’s called lets get on with it. What started out to be a live gig has turned into our entire musical history. I think it’s going to be cool, I just hope it’s lots of music and not to much talking. We really trust Ben, he seems to have a direction and knows what he wants and that’s a good thing. He wants to debut the film at the Hot Springs film festival in October at Hot Springs, Akansas. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens. Hope he gets my good side.

    Indy 500 Well I must say the Indy 500 was over top this year. Hats off to Panther racing, who finished 2nd and almost won it. What a rush. We were all jumping up and down for those last few laps. If you’re going to be a garage band...The Indy 500 is the place to do it. I even got to ride in the two seat Indy car. And to top it off I got to meet Jim Nabors. There’s nothing like hopping in an Indy car with Davey Hamilton and going 181 mph down the back stretch. Then meeting the man who sang back home in Indiana before the race for the last 30 or 40 years. The mans a legend. Once again I feel luckier than hell. Thank you John and Jane Barnes, without whom none of this would have been possible. Thanks for shining your light on us. There are truely some things that money can’t buy. I’ll say it again, “it’s the best time I ever had with my clothes on”. Now Patty does’t have to ask me if I know how lucky I am anymore. We’re all very grateful. Now lets turn around and do it all over again. I don’t know if my heart can take it. I also need to thank Vic who keeps us going with his great American Spirit. Thanks for the pizza by the pool and the jam at the house. Lets keep our Indiana family together the only way we know how. With love, music and whatever Diane wants to cook. Til we meet again.
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