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An unexpectedly candid inside look into the formative years of "sideman to the falling stars" Armond Blackwater.
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Road Tales
Herein lies my unauthorized autobiography
I do ask that the reader remember that this is a work of fiction. The episodes and events herein are based upon my years on the road as a musician and entertainer. As my Cajun friends would say: “Dis may not be da way it happened for real, but ‘tis the way I choose to remember it.”
My friend, Bertie Higgins, was attempting to write a novel several years back. He called upon me for suggestions and help editing his book. During one of our conversations he related what his good friend Jimmy Buffett said to him, “Writing my first novel was the loneliest experience of my life.” I can confirm Jimmy’s words. I’ve had a lot of lonely periods in my life, but writing this book has truly been the loneliest experience of my life. But, it has also been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As for Bertie, he gave up on the novel and became a screenwriter.
The feeling of accomplishment when I finally completed this collection of short stories was sublime. I didn’t anticipate exposing myself to the degree that I did, but the result was cathartic.
While the events are true, I did change many of the names of people who would be embarrassed by having their secrets exposed.
Thank you for reading my book and allowing me into your head.
I gareawntee you will never look at musicians the same way again.
Excerpt
The Long, Rough Road
“After all my hard, hard traveling, things about coming my way…” As I recorded this Tampa Red song I realized that it accurately described my spirit. No matter what life has thrown at me. No matter how far down I sunk my inner core would not give up, would not admit defeat, and would always rise again. I reflected nature. I died and then was reborn, over and over again. Just as winter gives way to spring and as seeds awaken with the thaw, I have always been resurrected into a new life.
My father, Sunshine Blackwater, had many sayings that he repeated time again until his death and after as his words rang in my memory. One of his most repeated sayings was, “Life is what you make it. If believe its shit, your life will be shit. If you believe that it is great, your life will be great.”
I chose great.
At birth I received a mixed bag of talents and deficiencies just like everyone else. The challenge of the early days was sorting out which was what. Creative ability emerged quickly as the frontrunner. Music, writing, storytelling, painting, photography, engineering, and above average, though never outstanding, athletic ability were the top gifts that I detected and developed to their utmost.
Using my musical abilities I have had the great fortune to play with many great musicians, many famous people, and a few who were both great and famous.
Currently, I have the honour and privilege of working with two of the true greats that I have met: Spade McQuade & Shawn Lightfoot.
Another gift that I received was the drive to procreate, to reproduce. To that end, I helped create five incredibly talented offspring, namely boys Ashcat, Ghost Moon, Red Moon, Lonewolf, and PJ, the girl – the Indian Princess of the Blackwater Tribe.
As a musician on the road I used that drive as often as I could. The combination of music and horniness are the subject of this book and source for the dual title: Road Tales & Rode Tails–The story of a blessed life of debauchery.
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