A Cadillac Interpretation…………#133 (the 70’s)

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.   It’s achievements having been commodious, the years of  execution evident from unintentional assault and it’s treatment was born of discharge, reconciled by continuous application. A reception of agnostic dissertation having prevailed, the aptitude of its production demonstrating one of eminence.  Its purpose was remarkably attained with a resounding presence of achievement in the affirmative, but a resolution of discharge from a participation in commerce was in order, the time having surfaced, it’s replacement was adherent, the decision having been made, Gary was trading-in his faithful Wurlitzer #120 electric piano.

.     Gary journeying to Del City,  his accredited musical instruments firmly secured in the bed of the 1966 Ford pickup,  the Wurlitzer Electric Piano #120, and the Kustom 150 amp with its two 12 inch speakers both espoused for dispensation.   Arriving at Bob Woods Del City Music provided the musician an opportunity to gaze upon the appliances of musical fatuity.  The Del City structure abounding  with the wares of musical apparition,  the store a portrait of  instrument availability,  bestowing a beckoning  to all that dared entry.  Gary ready to conduct business with a friend, owner Bob Woods, his stature as a musician and country music provocateur organizing the Oklahoma Country Music Association was well-known throughout the state.

.   Gary discovering an array of desirable musical appliances, the only circumstance restraining his purchasing willpower was financial, but it too was in transition.  Bob’s  wife Carolyn on the phone,  resolving his fiscal qualification and credence.  With the  validation  of the musicians credit  credentials,  Gary finding a new edict to propagate his musical instrument portfolio,  his procurement realm aspiring for the ultimate in band equipment.   This time the Musician would not be financially embryonic in the acquisition of band equipment,  finding a new experience dawning,  applying  a Cadillac interpretation in his decisions.

.  The incomparable Fender Rhodes electric piano,  accepting its station in his music world. The Rhodes sharing the name with the iconic guitar.  His first Custom 1 50 amp,  relinquished for  a 3hundred watt Custom  amp with a mounting stand,  and  two Custom speaker enclaves,  each containing two 15 inch JBL’s  speakers,  a noble replacement.  An additional acquisition,  a 2hundred watt Custom P A amp addressing  two column,  each  with four eight inch speakers. The total fiscal amount of his purchases, approaching the cost of Gary’s 63 Mercury Comet car when purchased new.  As a musician, the new equipment instilled a surge of fulfillment,  a desire and an optimism that new equipment would add a new vitality to the bandstand.

.   A late winter night,  an eight inch, gusting 40 mile per hour wind-driven snow blanketing Oklahoma City.  Gary finding it difficult to travel to guitarist Jerry Willis’s house,  but succeeding after several detours.  only to find their normal route to the Pirates Cove at the  Holiday Inn on Meridian Avenue closed,  the road arrested with a catechism of white blanketed confinement.   May Avenue,  a corresponding tact,  also snowed over,  but for some unexplained reason,  a northward single lane  remained open on Portland Avenue.  The two determined musicians finding a hazardous opportunity to reach Interstate 40, the Cross-Town Expressway.  To their dismay,  the on ramp to the Cross Town was barricaded,  but Reno Street,  a parallel venture below the raised Cross-Town was receptive,  a snowplow having  traversed the roadway clearing a passage.  Upon entering, the two finding that it  resembled a toboggan run,  the snow three and four feet high on either side.  The two musicians continuing their journey,  arrested within the walls of snow,  the headlights of the car beaming like a snow lit beacon,  a perception that they were interned in a tunnel.

.   The two able to apprehend the Holiday Inn on Meridian Avenue,  the rest of the City seemingly void of activity,  its residence  snowbound.  An arrival finding the day shift compliment of  employment still dictating the Pirate’s Cove operation, apparently the night personnel unable to compose an appearance  because of the deleterious snow conditions.   Gary and Jerry,  the only band members having success in arriving,  questioning each other,  whether to attempt to entertain a very diminished club audience.  An unexpected occurrence,  a Greyhound Bus seeking  refuge, unable to travel south on the now closed  H E Bailey Turnpike south, another  casualty of the storm.  the captive bus containing fifty-eight army recruits destined for Fort Sill,  their deliberate journey interrupted.    Gary watched as the snowbound  prospective patrons seated themselves.  Wanda  Moreno, the  daytime bartender also one of the stranded snowed in assembly having to do double duty.

.   Wanda conversing on the phone with Herb Carpenter,  the weather bound proprietor,  a question concerning whether to serve the military compliment,  as most were under age to consume alcohol.  Asking if she should adhere to the letter of the law or what, Herb replying   the ABC board wouldn’t  be out on a night like this,  go ahead and serve them.   Gary visiting with some of the soldiers,  answering their question about the band playing, mentioning they could,  but it would sound better with a drummer.  Then from another table they heard a name mentioned,  discovering that there was  a soldier that played drums among the stranded congregate,  and was more than happy to sit in.  With the advent of a drummer,  a commendable trio was enhanced,  entertainment prevailing for the confined.

.   The Oklahoma City road crew up to the task, the main thoroughfares and Meridian partially opened, and with the drive home,  the toboggan run experienced musician fulfilling another musical page in the Book of Life.

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