David Vienna's Blog, page 135
August 9, 2018
Lorrie Collins, Dynamic Rockabilly Singer, Is Dead at 76
Lorrie Collins was my wife’s aunt and I don’t know if “aunt-in-law” is a thing, but that’s what she was to me. That’s what she felt like to me. She passed away Saturday.
The thing I loved most about her was her laugh. She had a big untethered laugh. My favorite memory of her involves hearing that huge laugh go on and on as I recounted the story of a spa treatment she and Larry bought me once.
It came at the end of a difficult series of festival dates throughout England, Italy, and Spain. The tour manager, though a fantastic guy, was getting overwhelmed. So my wife and I, who were just along for the ride, stepped in as roadies. We made sure they were taken care of so the manager could focus on the business stuff.
During that tour, I saw firsthand how important it was for Lorrie and Larry to thank their fans. They would stay after a show signing autographs, not until they got tired, but until the line was gone. And sometimes that meant they were up until sunrise, meeting people and smiling the whole time. And we were there with them, making sure they were hydrated, taking care of their amazing guitars—stuff like that.
So, when the tour concluded in Calafell, Spain, they got us fancy spa treatments at the beach resort as a thank you. I’m not a spa guy, though. So when I told her her in vivid detail the bodily embarrassment of the process, she let that laugh roll like a wave. It was so loud and infectious, people at nearby tables stopped and turned to see what infectious joy was filling the room.
I loved Lorrie. She was rockabilly royalty. She was funny and strong and talented—my god, was she talented. And though she’s gone, her laugh still fills my heart.
August 7, 2018
Y’know what’s amazing about parenting…No matter what amazing victory or terrible tragedy...
No matter what amazing victory or terrible tragedy you’re dealing with, your kids still need to eat, bathe, dress.
It’s like the universal reality check.
July 17, 2018
Hey, my latest book, Are We There Yet?, is now available in...
Hey, my latest book, Are We There Yet?, is now available in Dutch. Yay!
July 12, 2018
Be the change you want to see in the world.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
July 10, 2018
July 8, 2018
It turns out camping in the desert in the middle of a summer...
It turns out camping in the desert in the middle of a summer heat wave was not the best idea. But the campground had a freshwater pond fed by a natural spring that never gets above 56°, so it worked out. Plus, the camp hosts gave us a bunch of fresh eggs from their chicken coop and fresh squash from their garden. WE ATE LIKE KINGS!
It’s 96° in the shade, so we’re on our way to the swimming hole.
It’s 96° in the shade, so we’re on our way to the swimming hole.
July 4, 2018
This Fourth of July, Johnny is celebrating his independence from...
This Fourth of July, Johnny is celebrating his independence from your bullshit.
July 3, 2018
It’s no longer my birthday.
