The Musician... see you among the stars

The Sam Goody job turned out to be a good thing after all. For firing me, I would be getting $350.00 a week for the next six months in unemployment insurance. I glanced through the Village Voice and noticed an ad for a 24 Track recording studio for $50.00 an hour. I called to make an appointment to see the studio. I arrived at the studio to see if it was what I needed. It was a quaint little studio, and it had all the necessary equipment. I then went to my cousin Joey’s studio to try and hook-up with Joey’s friend Mark. Mark wanted to do some wedding photography. I had a camera just for that kind of work that Mark was interested in buying. Mark, being very Jewish, was not to eager to part with the money for the camera. Therefore, I made a deal with him. If he bought me two 24 Track, 2 inch tapes plus $75.00, then I would give him the camera. Mark went for it and it was all taken care of. We bartered for the equipment, and I avoided the expense for the tapes. I made an appointment for the studio and I began recording. The engineer was Steve Rosenthal. He was a hip and great guy to work with. The studio was also in the music equipment rental business, and I was able to use and equipment that I needed if it wasn’t rented out. I basically recorded after 6:00 PM. During that time, most of the equipment had been returned. Therefore, all I needed to do was call early, and the equipment would be waiting for me to use for free.

I used the same drummer that originally did my song "Danza Fuck" at the Brooklyn Studio. I used my next door neighbor Joey for the bass. We recorded the three instruments, Guitar, bass and drums. I was able to hire a horn section and female background vocalists for the song through the recording studio at $50.00 each. Everything worked-out fine and it was wonderful recording for the first time on my own. Officially, I am now a producer. The whole recording experience was over a four month period, and I wasn’t really happy with the final result. The song was not happening. The grove was not, in the end, the way I expected it. Since this was my first recording experience, I realized how important the foundations of the three instruments were. It may sound correct in the studio until you get home with a copy, and even then I was fooled by the lack of groove. However, I used this recording session as a learning experience. The whole process cost me $1,500.00. I now knew that I needed to get much more organized. I was, however, proud of the accomplishment.

Recording on my own was a pleasure. I had learned that this was where I needed to be. I felt very comfortable and happy in the studio. I wanted it to be my job forever. However, it was very expensive. I had realized that I could not afford it. Where was I going to get the money to record? I never had over $2000.00 at one time in my life. I immediately became distressed over the thought of it. I needed a job with a label. That would put in up close. How was I going to work for a record label? Unless one has a connection it’s nearly impossible. What was I going to do?

Mitch called me again from California. He asked how I was doing. I told him that everything fell apart, and I didn’t know what I was going to do now. He then suggested I come to Los Angles. He said that I might find it easier in the music business, and that everyone is more relaxed. We talked about it for a bit and Mitch seemed to be leading me on heavily to come out there. It sounded like a good idea and I was very surprised at Mitch's hype. Someone else had suggested to me at one time that I should give LA a try. They told me that the labels are more relaxed out there.

I started freaking-out. I wanted desperately to put an end to my life. I didn’t want to go on anymore. I was tired of the bullshit. This is not how life is supposed to be. I needed a break. My mother was sick and in the hospital again. Every time she goes into the hospital it is very serious, but thank God this time was not very serious again. I asked her if she could give me three thousand dollars. She asked why. I told her that I wanted to move to California. I had a friend that was living there and I desperately needed to get away. I told her that I was freaking-out. My mother always liked the idea of getting rid of me so she gave me the money. I called Mitch and told him that I was definitely coming-out to LA. Mitch was excited and told me that his relationship with his girlfriend Diane was on the rocks. I told him that I didn’t care. Mitch said that he just wanted to warn me. I asked him if he didn’t want me to come there. He said that there was no problem and that he was looking forward to seeing me. I told him OK. I packed all my stuff in the car and left for Los Angles.

I was excited that I was getting out of New York. I was really freaking-out from all the disappointment’s and pressure. It all accelerated in my mind. I needed a new direction again, and most of all, I needed some desperate peace and quiet. I was dying for peace and quiet. I drove my car past Pennsylvania and found a quiet peaceful spot to sleep and rested. I slept for six hours not hearing a sound. No cars; no horns; no people talking; no sounds of trains; nothing. The sleep was so wonderful that my mind started to come back to me in a much healthier state. I became a little more relaxed. I then continued driving until I made to Kansas. Then I grabbed a motel room and took a hot bath. I woke the next day completely refreshed. I was anxious in seeing my friends in Colorado. Maybe I’ll even visit my ex-wife this time.

I arrived at Jim’s house in Colorado. He was very glad to see me. I told him that I needed desperately to go to the Eagles Nest on Flagstaff Mountain. Jim hopped in my car and we went immediately went to Flagstaff Mountain. I sat in the eagles nest to watch the view and chilled-out for about two hours. I felt great and Jim helped me get my mind back on track. Then Jim and I decided to go visit Jeff, an old friend of mine and his who lives in
Gold Hill. Our unexpected trip found Jeff and his family home. We sat and talked and Jeff’s wife gave us some muffins and apple juice. It was very relaxing. Jeff, Jim, and I reflected on old times in the beautiful serene location of Gold Hill. After a full day, Jim and I returned to his home in Denver.

The next day Jim and I went for breakfast at a corner restaurant, Mary and Lou’s. It is very cheap, two eggs with home fries for $1.99. It’s a very funky place where a lot of homeless people hang-out. Jim’s house is very funky also. He has so much stuff in his house that there is barely a place to sleep. He recycles newspapers, and so they are piled one on top of each other in stacks that barely touch the ceiling. He has about three stacks like that. I think it’s crazy, but that’s the way he lives.

I decided to call Kitty and see if I could meet with her. Jim gave me her number and she answered. We made an appointment to go and have dinner around 6:00PM. This was going to be a very interesting meeting. I haven’t seen her since I put her on a plane back home. It was time to face her and get her lousy memory behind me even though it was. I met with her at her house and our meeting again was very nice. She had cut her beautiful blond hair very short. It looked terrible. I said to myself, how lucky I was for not being her husband anymore. Anyway, we went to dinner and had a talk. We discussed many things. She told me that although she was living with Jim, she didn’t really like him. She told me that she used him to stay in Colorado. I thought that was a very bold statement. After dinner, and after very much small talk, we went to another place to have a drink. We walked on the
Pearl Street Mall and found a quiet outdoor bar restaurant. We had a few drinks and continued the small talk. Then we took the car up Flagstaff Mountain to the top. I wanted to see the view of Boulder below. I parked the car in the darkness. I sat quietly enjoying he view I missed for many years. Kitty gave me the heavy vibes of having sex like we used to in a car. However, I wasn’t into it. I thought that I might do it after a few drinks. I was willing to do her on the ride up Flagstaff. However, once we were at the top, I quickly lost interest. I had realized how this fucking broad fucked me over. We stayed at the top for five minutes and then we headed down the mountain. I needed to get rid of her. I took her home and said goodnight. I told her that it was nice meeting with her again and I wished her well. I glad that was over with.

On the way back to Denver I was thinking of our meeting. I wanted sex or a least a blow job very badly. I haven’t had sex in a while. I thought when I was driving to Denver that I could have sex with Kitty. However, the opportunity was there and I wasn’t interested because of how she fucked me over. I rather pick-up a hooker than have her. I did just that. I drove on
Colfax Avenue in Denver on my way back to Jim’s, and got a blow job. It was great.

The next day I told Jim that if I do not stay in Los Angles that I will see him on the way back. There was a snow storm coming into Denver. I wanted to take 70 west, but Vail and Aspen was receiving a great deal of snow. Jim suggested that I go south immediately. If I wasted anymore time then I would be caught by the storm. I then said goodbye to Jim and headed south toward Albuquerque. As I was on I25 South, I could see the heavy clouds hanging over the mountains ready to dump on the highway. Luckily, I missed it.

I had a great relaxing trip and arrived in LA around 11:00PM two days later. I called Mitch from downtown LA on a pay phone. Mitch then met me and we both arrived at his apartment complex. I met again his girlfriend Diane. They both seemed happy to see me. We talked for awhile and Mitch had to go to work, and he invited me to tag along. Mitch was a night watchman. He was all alone on his job until 6:00 in the morning, similar to Tommy Napoli’s night job. Mitch and I talked about his deteriorating relationship with Diane. He told me that my presence would help get rid of her. He told me that she was too dominant and that he couldn’t stand her being on his back all the time. He asked me if I minded being around this situation. I told him that I was going to be myself, and that I could care less what they both were doing. Mitch said great.

I then found my way back to the complex and went to sleep on the couch which they both had set-up for me. I woke-up around 11:00AM and went exploring. I drove around until I found the famous Hollywood Blvd. I saw some cute ladies available for hire, and I eventually went with one and had a great time. I’m now a guy who isn’t attractive enough to have a girlfriend. I have a hard time picking-up someone to have a relationship. From now on, and it has been for a while, I have to pay for sex. When I was young and handsome I had an abundance of girls. There was never a problem. As soon as I turned 35 years old, and my hair was lost, it was all over. The whole situation changed. It became a great difficulty finding a girl and a job. That’s the way it is. In a way I like it, because although I can’t attract young girls anymore, I can pay for the one’s that normally would have been impossible to obtain. LA had some sweet healthy young chickies.

I then went back to Mitch’s apartment. I returned to find them in an argument. I hung-out in the court yard of their apartment complex. They had a nice pool, and soon I would jump into it. I waited for the argument to finish. When it did Mitch wanted to talk with me. We went to the garage area and Mitch asked me to leave. He said that he felt bad in inviting me under this situation, and he thought that it would be best if I left. In my mind I was very pissed. I drove 3000 miles for him to ask me to leave. He was calling me every two weeks asking me to come to LA. I had no choice so I looked at Mitch in the eye and told him that there was no problem. I’ll go back to my friends in Colorado. I showed him no sign of disappointment or anger. Mitch said, “Really, you don’t mind.” I told him, “Hey man, I needed to get out of New York badly and I did because you invited me here. I had a wonderful trip to LA. I had never been farther west then Vail, Colorado. It was a great experience. I have money and my Thunderbird is running like a top. I’m free. I can go anywhere and do anything. No Problem. I’ll leave within the next half hour.” Mitch looked at me in surprise and said, “I don’t want you to leave. It’s just the situation.” I told him I understood. Mitch then said, “Hey, I don’t want you to leave. Forget what I said. Stay. I’m going to get her to leave.” I told him to make-up his fucking mind. “You want me to stay or you want me to leave?” I said. “If you want me to leave, I’ll go.” Mitch told me to stay. He then went to the apartment and told Diane that I was staying.

I stood in LA for the next two months. I spent a great deal of time contacting the major labels western divisions and although I found them more friendly and helpful, I could not get anywhere. I didn’t like the people of LA and I thought the city was fucked. The cops scared the shit out of me, because they were very lawless. The cops were not of this country. I personally had no problem with them, but many people I had met did. When I drove around at night I could feel their bad vibes. It was a horrible city. Mitch’s girlfriend was finally leaving. She wanted me to take her back to New York, but I told her that I didn’t mind as long as she was going to make the stops that I wanted to make. She then decided to fly back home. Mitch needed money. My money was running low. Therefore, I let him use my TWA credit card which I never used. I was saving it to establish credit again. Mitch with my credit card, put her on the plane back home, and their relationship was finally over. Mitch had thanked me over and over for my full support and especially the use of my credit card. He told me that he would pay me back someday. I told him, “No problem.” I spent a few days with Mitch and he was very relieved. I told him that I needed to return to New York. I told him that I was going back to try a get a hold on these new credit card payments that are about to become due. Mitch understood and I exited LA for Colorado.

During my trip to Colorado, I had visited Las Vegas, and I hated it. I drove around for a few hours and decided to leave to continue on my trip. I then hooked into 70 West which was the entrance to the Rocky Mountains. It was very beautiful. I arrived back in Denver to Jim’s house. I met Jim’s friend George and his sister. We all spent a couple of days together having lots of fun. I called my mother and told her that I was returning home, and although I couldn’t make any good connections in LA, I was feeling much better. My mother was actually glad that I was returning. She was getting old and felt very much alone. Although she wanted to be alone, she realized how more comfortable it was when I was there. I didn’t know this information at this time, but I had learned this shortly after arriving back home. Then I headed back to New York. As soon as I returned to Manhattan, I headed down to the East Village where I could pick-up a girl for a quickie. I secured that and headed back to Brooklyn.