#the806

rolling up to the 806, I’m relaxed. the radio show went far better than I had expected, and I’m ready to meet some new people and play more music. right away, Mike introduces himself (pictured above, left) and tells me he heard me on the radio - can he introduce me tonight? I agree hastily and shake his hand, as I do with most of the other patrons. my dad and I order a beer, and I set up for the show. before I know it, it’s time to pack up and leave. at least a dozen people are still attentive, demanding another tune. I play summertime and the room erupts in cheers - when I finally leave the tiny space on the floor that we agreed would be the stage, three high-school age kids approach me.

“hey man, you were great. have you been here before?” “nope, this is my first time through the panhandle. you guys go to school around here?” “yeah, and we want to initiate you.” there’s a short pause, and I’m not sure what to say. “It’s just outside man, come out and we’ll show you.” “Okay…” I stumble over a single word, “give me a few minutes to say some more thank yous, and I’ll be there.”

fifteen more minutes go by - Mike wants to take a picture with me and some of my new friends. people buy merchandise, say thanks, and eventually shuffle out. finally, it’s time for initiation. somehow, I know this isn’t going to be good.

we walk outside the cafe just twenty paces, and the tallest of the group says, “alright. this is it.” he touches a lamp post and reaches to a metal sign next to it. “just touch these at the same time, and you’re in.” he demonstrates, seemingly unaffected.

something about the situation reminded me of being in grade school. the peer pressure, the “initiation,” even the juvenile smirks on these boys’ faces. in grade school, I would have been too scared to do it. something in my gut told me this was a practical joke, and that I wouldn’t like the outcome. but I realized that, as a stranger and a traveling musician, these guys had nothing to gain by humiliating me. to get over this childhood fear, I tried to think of it as doing them a favor, like… they were getting an out of town indie musician to join their little club.