N.L. returns to the Ranch to calm an irate Marky Chavez over Lords: Part One - By N.L. Belardes
I had been dodging phone calls from a rock star.
Maybe it was just because I had never had a rock star call my phone before and leave a message…
I know, I know, Kenny Mount and whole lot of Bakersfield rock stars are pissed right now saying, “I call that bastard, Belardes all the time. And now he’s saying I’m not a rock star??”
Oh cut it out. You know what I mean.
Anyway, one of the messages said, “Oh man, Mr. Belardes, I’m mad at you…”
Oh man. What’s this? I pissed off a rock star? What was going to happen now? Would he side with Bakersfield Bob, the former Dim drummer and his cronies, and that dastardly Nate Berg and suddenly… hate me??
Just what did I do? I finally got the nerve to call him back. Busy signal. I tried again the next day. Voice mail. Then finally I got through. His first words? “Man I am pissed at you…”
Did I write a crummy article? He didn’t like something I wrote. Uh oh. “Oh man, what?” I said.
“I am so pissed! I just finished part one. Where is part two!?!”
Thank God, that was followed by laughter. Apparently, Marky Chavez of Midnight Panic (formerly of Adema) had received Lords: Part One for his birthday. And he loved it. He called to say how much he enjoyed the novel and how much he wanted the sequel.
“I read a lot of Clancy type novels. But I got tired of all the details in the latest book I was reading so I started yours. I read over a hundred pages in one night! I finished Lords: Part One the next day!”
Wow, those despicable Lords of Bakersfield and my creepy book about them entertained a rock star... I can’t ask for more than that. Marky then invited me out to the ranch where I showed up to make sure he was comfortable with the fact that I would write a part two.
I arrived with Matildakay and knocked on the door. There’s no peephole and so I heard Jean-a Beans inside, inquiring, “Who is it?” She's the cool-as-hell wife of Wayne from Thru The Roof Records.
Last time I was at the ranch I stupidly left before eating her chicken. It looked that good...
I made a half-mumbled declaration and the door opened. I saw Jean-a with her big dog, Bear and she led me and Matildakay (she wasn’t feeling well) out to a patio where Jean-a brought some Chamomile tea to warm us up. Poor Matildakay didn’t look like she felt well the entire night.
Marky was in a break between sets. He had already torn through twelve songs and needed to rest his voice. Peter Shubert wandered over and we talked some Oleander ghost stories about the haunted house next door to him while Marky talked about Lords: Part One…
Yes, it’s a creepy book about Bakersfield, and if it kept a rock star up late, then how could he not talk about it? I was flattered and he was creeped out. He wanted to know more: “How much of it is real?” he asked.
I get asked that question all the time. I told someone once, 80%. I told Mark, “There’s a lot of creative energy in the book. I creatively connect the dots of real events.” I'm not sure I answered his question... didn't matter, he still loved the book and the descriptions.
Soon we went to the studio. We had two chairs, Matildakay got earplugs. I said hi to Mike Montano and Matt Low and suddenly they went off into their set… Marky was wearing a beany hat, black pants and jumped around, spun, and grooved to the passion of his music. The artist was in his moment. He had already been through his coronation at Studio 99. He had been practicing these songs for months. The energy was there. These guys were ready to rock in front of people, and I don’t mean me. They were ready to perform for their fans. Give them the Pond. They would be ready.
About four or five songs into the set something blew. Maybe a fuse? I wasn’t sure, but a lot of power was lost, including Matt’s fan and Marky’s microphone caved in like a vampire had just sucked the energy out of it.
That only meant a few minutes of downtime and they were right back into their music.
I wanted the entire CD right then to take home and spin. No luck. Sure the band is going to perform at Montgomery World Plaza on December 22nd. But I wanted the music now. Right now to take home. That’s what I get for not having Lords: Part Two up my sleeve at the Ranch that night for Marky Chavez. “I will come to your house, plant myself in front of your computer if it means I can read your book! I need it!”
Don’t worry, the book will be finished in no time. In the meantime I hope Marky likes all the other books I have to offer.
I still want a CD though.
And another cup of Chamomile tea...
*Images coming soon
Maybe it was just because I had never had a rock star call my phone before and leave a message…
I know, I know, Kenny Mount and whole lot of Bakersfield rock stars are pissed right now saying, “I call that bastard, Belardes all the time. And now he’s saying I’m not a rock star??”
Oh cut it out. You know what I mean.
Anyway, one of the messages said, “Oh man, Mr. Belardes, I’m mad at you…”
Oh man. What’s this? I pissed off a rock star? What was going to happen now? Would he side with Bakersfield Bob, the former Dim drummer and his cronies, and that dastardly Nate Berg and suddenly… hate me??
Just what did I do? I finally got the nerve to call him back. Busy signal. I tried again the next day. Voice mail. Then finally I got through. His first words? “Man I am pissed at you…”
Did I write a crummy article? He didn’t like something I wrote. Uh oh. “Oh man, what?” I said.
“I am so pissed! I just finished part one. Where is part two!?!”
Thank God, that was followed by laughter. Apparently, Marky Chavez of Midnight Panic (formerly of Adema) had received Lords: Part One for his birthday. And he loved it. He called to say how much he enjoyed the novel and how much he wanted the sequel.
“I read a lot of Clancy type novels. But I got tired of all the details in the latest book I was reading so I started yours. I read over a hundred pages in one night! I finished Lords: Part One the next day!”
Wow, those despicable Lords of Bakersfield and my creepy book about them entertained a rock star... I can’t ask for more than that. Marky then invited me out to the ranch where I showed up to make sure he was comfortable with the fact that I would write a part two.
I arrived with Matildakay and knocked on the door. There’s no peephole and so I heard Jean-a Beans inside, inquiring, “Who is it?” She's the cool-as-hell wife of Wayne from Thru The Roof Records.
Last time I was at the ranch I stupidly left before eating her chicken. It looked that good...
I made a half-mumbled declaration and the door opened. I saw Jean-a with her big dog, Bear and she led me and Matildakay (she wasn’t feeling well) out to a patio where Jean-a brought some Chamomile tea to warm us up. Poor Matildakay didn’t look like she felt well the entire night.
Marky was in a break between sets. He had already torn through twelve songs and needed to rest his voice. Peter Shubert wandered over and we talked some Oleander ghost stories about the haunted house next door to him while Marky talked about Lords: Part One…
Yes, it’s a creepy book about Bakersfield, and if it kept a rock star up late, then how could he not talk about it? I was flattered and he was creeped out. He wanted to know more: “How much of it is real?” he asked.
I get asked that question all the time. I told someone once, 80%. I told Mark, “There’s a lot of creative energy in the book. I creatively connect the dots of real events.” I'm not sure I answered his question... didn't matter, he still loved the book and the descriptions.
Soon we went to the studio. We had two chairs, Matildakay got earplugs. I said hi to Mike Montano and Matt Low and suddenly they went off into their set… Marky was wearing a beany hat, black pants and jumped around, spun, and grooved to the passion of his music. The artist was in his moment. He had already been through his coronation at Studio 99. He had been practicing these songs for months. The energy was there. These guys were ready to rock in front of people, and I don’t mean me. They were ready to perform for their fans. Give them the Pond. They would be ready.
About four or five songs into the set something blew. Maybe a fuse? I wasn’t sure, but a lot of power was lost, including Matt’s fan and Marky’s microphone caved in like a vampire had just sucked the energy out of it.
That only meant a few minutes of downtime and they were right back into their music.
I wanted the entire CD right then to take home and spin. No luck. Sure the band is going to perform at Montgomery World Plaza on December 22nd. But I wanted the music now. Right now to take home. That’s what I get for not having Lords: Part Two up my sleeve at the Ranch that night for Marky Chavez. “I will come to your house, plant myself in front of your computer if it means I can read your book! I need it!”
Don’t worry, the book will be finished in no time. In the meantime I hope Marky likes all the other books I have to offer.
I still want a CD though.
And another cup of Chamomile tea...
*Images coming soon
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Thursday, December 15, 2005.
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Sounds like you had a great time!
Congrats on great comments about your book.
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