Separation Anxiety

For those of you who didn't know already, the ARL band is in a bit of a transitional period at the moment. Our acoustic guitar player, and front man for our opening band "Los Mustangs" is retiring from the band. P. Blake Martin, P. Diddy, Bootsy Collins' long lost brother, whatever you want to call him, if you know him, you know he's got the funk.

P. has been my partner, musically speaking, for years now, and the bottom line is that it's not going to be the same without him. The best times I've ever had on stage have been right next to him, and the most miserable gigs on the planet have been tolerable because of him.

You can't blame a guy for wanting to spend more time with his family though. As he said, this band is a dream fulfilled, just 20 years too late. I shudder to think of the trouble he and I would have gotten into had we met back when we had no responsibilities. Scary.

For more than one reason, he won't be replaced. The most important is that he can't be replaced. We could get another guy with a guitar up there, but it wouldn't be what it was.

-ARL