Page 84 of Feuds and Interludes
We’ll all get high as the sky
and entertain you
Everything’s all right
Everything’s gonna be all right
Shane sang the next verse, and I couldn’t help it. I moved to his side and watched him as he sang the wacky words our grandfathers wrote all those years ago.
Girl, come on along with me
You’re the prettiest girl I ever did see
Say you want my company
and say you wanna get down and be free
Weeeee are here to entertain you
Got nothing but love and joy
to wrap around you
We’ll all get high as the sky
and entertain you
Everything’s all right
everything’s gonna be all right
The dueling solos were so much fun to play, but I had to concentrate. Shane was so much better than me, but I was proud I was able to keep up with him.
We repeated the chorus with just the drums backing us, and Annie got the whole crowd to clap along. Our lips were so close on the mic I could feel every word he sang. Our guitars knocked once and we laughed, but it was like we were created by some otherworldly deity to make this music together, like destiny reached down from the aether and brought us together to make this unique sound no one else could duplicate, not even our grandfathers, who were touted as being the best singing duo in rock for the longest time.
I was so wrapped up in his eyes, I almost missed the cue to start the next song, which we’d rehearsed to flow directly from the first one.
I headed back to my microphone and stayed there for the next couple of songs, as I was singing lead on them, then I went wandering along the edges of the stage during Annie’s vocals on the song, “Do Right By Me,” which was a favorite from Brothers and had featured a duet with folk singer Tess Miller. Annie’s sexy-ass delivery had the crowd dancing and ripping off their clothes. There was more nudity in the audience than I’d ever seen at a show, and a few couples were making out up against the rail. Shane sang backup to her, but she was the fucking star. She sang a couple Stellar songs on her own, but man, I was starting to think we should rework some of the new songs and put her front and center.
Then it was time for us to play two of Stellar’s biggest hits. Shane watched me the whole time for cues and they went off without a hitch. We’d practiced with my band, we’d practiced after hours together in his house, and I’d been pleased to see that he played them effortlessly.
I was not as great with the Wicked Soul songs we chose to play. Thankfully he played all the really tough parts, so I only had to play the chords and I only fucked up twice. Shane smiledat me after the second time and raised his eyebrows to make sure I was okay.
I mouthed “sorry” to him, and he winked at me. God, he was so hot. So fucking competent and in control of the set. I hated making mistakes, and he knew that. He made it a little easier to accept I wasn’t perfect, because he thought I was. That was all that mattered to me.
It all went by so fast and then it was time for us to perform “Paisley,” so we were back on the mic together.
“Thank you all for being here tonight for the inaugural performance of Butler Collins. This show all came together while we were sharing studio time, and I want to thank Stellar for accepting my invitation to play tonight.”
More loud shouts from the sidelines as well as the stage. Jesus, even more of our peers had arrived. Plus, the entire journalist pit was jam-packed with photographers all climbing over each other to get shots of us.
“It was our pleasure,” I said, as we’d rehearsed. “We’ve saved something special for last. If any of you happened to see the Rock Hall Ceremony, you may know that my grandfather was posthumously inducted this year. John Boone accomplished many great things in his career, but the one he was most proud of was the work he did with my grandmother, Vera Jean Collins, on the Collins Foundation, which provides assistance to our fellow artists in the industry experiencing catastrophic medical emergencies. Many of us have health issues that impact our ability to work, and no one should live in fear of losing everything if the worst happens. If this cause speaks to you, please scan the QR code at our merch booth and give what you can. The majority of the proceeds from our merch will also go to support the Collins Foundation. There’s also an online auction in case you want to bid on gear donated by various members of our community, including Maggie’s Bones, who will be playingthe main stage in just a little while.” I paused while the crowd lost their mind. “But before we say good night…”
I turned to Shane and smiled up at him, and my heart leaped in my chest. We’d made it. Almost. There was just one more song, and it was the most emotional of all.
“If you saw that performance, you’ll also know that my grandfather, Bruce Duncan, got to perform the song ‘Paisley’ with Boone, and he dedicated it that night to the one who stole his heart, Ms. Vera Jean Collins. Tonight, I’d like to dedicate it to the person who stole mine—Mr. Boone Collins.”
Well, shit. We hadn’t rehearsed that. And the crowd’s gasp when he turned and smiled at me let us know that they hadn’tallheard the news yet, but now they knew, and they screamed like Elvis had just wiggled his pelvis.
