Perception of Liberation…………#103 (the 60’s)

pl13

Oklahoma City proving to be complementary,  the Untouchables fostered an entourage that insured the commission of engagements.   The financial countenance being minimal,  but enabling two members of the musical  escapade,  Gary and Jerry,  in developing a savings curriculum,  Glenn  being the exception,  a good portion of his income consumed by his frequent visits to Lawton and his family.

A farewell to the blue roach rental, the three discovering a residence  on sSouth Barnes street, the owners having converted part of their home into a small  two room rental with stove, small refrigerator and  separate street entrance.   The band’s newfound lodging providing  a suitable shelter, an adequate station for meals and a restful night’s lodging,  but its size was somewhat claustrophobic and lacked any privacy for after work entertaining.  The rule of thumb unless prior notification was given,  if the light is on and the door is locked,  knock three times,  then return in twenty minutes.  It was soon discovering the knocking rule was never needed as the musicians were normally the recipient of  an invitation.

The accumulation in a savings account empowering Gary to fulfill a long desired aspiration, the acquisition of a car.   southwest 29th Street was a main east – west thoroughfare on the south side,  connecting with  U S  77 and Interstate 35    on the east side of  the City.   Many of Oklahoma Cities pre-owned car enterprises finding this roadway very profitable with many  locations.  Once having accumulated a sufficient amount of funds, Jerry supplying the transportation, the Pianist began a car shopping endeavor,  discovering his long desired avidity for a certain genus on the used car lot,  a 1954 Oldsmobile Convertible.

A certain stature evolves with the purchase of your first automobile,  a perception of liberation,  knowing you are the publisher of your purpose and have the capability to pursue your quest.   The  remembrance from his early teen years surfacing again, the recollection of Mountain Boulevard, the fragrance of the mowed hay with its damp moist aura,  the open air carriage bathed by a moonlit effervesce, all associated when cruising after work at the signal station in Ted Riley’s  1950 Olds convertible. The airings of the convertible conveyed a license of deliverance,  but the vivacity of ownership began to wane in proportion to the automotive number of faults that soon materialized from purchasing an inexpensive used car.

The presence of reality never wanes, a bargain is not always a bargain,  the new auto owner discovering that brake master cylinders do cost.  Driving down Classen Boulevard, he impinged the brake pedal in anticipation of stopping, the pedal depressing to the floorboard with no effect,  but finally managing a  successful stop.  Upon examination, ascertained brake fluid present on the firewall below the master cylinder,  a good indication of the problem.   After refilling the cylinder, Gary progressed to Brotherton’s Garage on southwest 29th and Agnew.  He was acquainted with  Hap and Ronnie Brotherton,  both members of the Oklahoma Stock Car Racing Association’s board of directors,  who in the past commissioned a performance by the Untouchables at their awards banquet.  Ron replacing the master cylinder, offering some professional automotive advice to the musician, “trade it.”

Glenn needing to make a trip to Lawton, requesting Gary to follow his Plymouth Station Wagon to his wife’s families residence where June was staying, the drummer ceding his car to June to for the coming week.  Upon completion of the task the two exiting the town, the pianist noticing a two-tone white and Flamingo Pink swept fin 1957 DeSoto decorating the lot of a pre-owned car emporium and without hesitation pulled into the small used car lot.  The dealer approaching the two, Gary making an  inquiring  about the DeSoto’s  vendibility,  noting that it lacked any  posted sale markings.   The dealers explaining  it was a recent trade-in and it was yet to be serviced or detailed for a sale.

There was no question in the pianist mind that he would be leaving in the Desoto even though he found it difficult to breach the bond with his first means of transportation,  but acumen precludes affinity,  remembering the advice of Ron Brotherton.   Gary never one to barter asking up front what it would take with the Olds as a trade in.   The dealer allowing $250 as a trade-in, the amount Gary had given for the Olds, the dealer accepting the trade-in as a down-payment with a $450 balance,  no cash changing hands.  Gary and the finance company now the proud owners of 1957 Desoto Fireflite,  air-conditioned two door hardtop,  with a 341 cubic inch,  345 horsepower,  four barrel carburetor endowed engine with a pushbutton automatic transmission.

With the advent of  his luxurious transportation,  a realm of independence presented a new order of social activity, the element of nocturnal associations was always available in the realm of musical endeavors.   Gary presenting an interest having meant a striking lady employed with the FAA named Sue Mason.   Sue being the mother  of a  young son, making Gary aware of reality,  indulging in a very cautious relationships not eager or prepared for a resolute commitment.   Jerry too was also allocating more of his time with a newly found complement and with Glenn’s commuting to Lawton,  an air of independence began to surface with the more  limited use of their two bedroom rental.

Jerry deciding to no longer reside in the two room rental,  the guitar players relationship with Darlene Phillips and her family of three having escalated and was on the road to a serious commitment.  Unable to advocate the financial burden, Gary deciding to look for suitable quarters elsewhere visiting with an acquaintance  W. E. Curry,  a realtor with rental property, the two having meant at the Horseshoe Club.  W.E.  disclosing he had a room vacancy in his edifice at SW 33rd &  S. May Ave.   The office structure in reality was built as a residence, the entrée and living room having been converted into his reality office,  the two adjoining bedrooms were rental rooms with kitchen privileges.   The accommodations and the monthly rent was more than satisfactory, Gary taking W.E. up on his offer,  discovering the other bedroom was leased to  Tinker Air Force Base employee who also just  happened to own a 1957 DeSoto.

Gary would frequent the Horseshoe Club even though the bands subscriptive employment was  for two nights a week,  the owners Ross and Virginia Miller approaching him as a friend and the Musician having been acquainted with their daughter Barbara.   The Horseshoe’s private club clientele function like an association,  Jay, the affable bartender,  W.E.,  the realtor,  Eldon Dumas,  the electrical contractor, and employees of  the Federal Aviation Agency,  Tinker Air Force Base,  all with a common denominator, cordiality.

Late afternoons would often finding Gary conversing with a prospective nocturnal audience participant and on this occasion visiting with a Tinker Air force Base employee, making the acquaintance of  Helen Street.  Helen, a very cordial older lady accentuating her daughter as single young lady about the same age as Gary.  The amiable lady painting an engrossing narrative to the Musician,  the anecdotes provoking an interest, Gary very much intrigued, especially having never meant anyone name Kermece.

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.


%d bloggers like this: