Finally, the much anticipated follow up in the saga that is my life! I believe I left off at the age of 12. I was somewhat introverted in Junior High School. I made friends easily and had a core group of friends, but I believe that I was like everyone else in junior high, pretty akward, and not very sure of their self. I was a pretty good athlete, and loved sports . I played football, basketball, and baseball. As I stated before it was at this time I discovered Motley Crue. Music had always played a huge part in my life, but it began to consume me. It was during this time that I began to experiment with alcohol.
I had a friend that would steal liquor from his dad’s liquor cabinet (PARENTS: If you do not want your kids to drink, you should not drink….AT ALL…. Just as you tell your kids, actions speak louder than words!!!) We would drink a few shots and go around the neighborhood and apply toilet paper to homes. This was in seventh grade. (Parents: more than likely your kids are drinking or have a CLOSE friend who is drinking!) The first time I became intoxicated was in the 8th grade. My dad’s parents were infamous for throwing some good ‘ol honky tonk parties once or twice a year. It was here that I convinced my cousin to buy me some pepermint schnapps. I slammed a half pint, and returned to the party. My mom immediately blew my cover. She was furious, and took me home. I went home with mommy and laid in bed with her, and cried and said I would never do it again. The next morning my dad woke me up bright and early without mentioning a word about the previous night. He showered kindness upon me! As I said we got up early, we went to breakfast, went shopping had lunch at Kentucky Fried Chicken, went to a movie, and who knows what else. Oh yeah, did I mention I had the worst hangover that I would ever encounter. I was pretty sure that I would never drink again! However, I overcame that momentary weekness when I started ninth grade! Anyway, to close the chapter on Junior High, I started my first band for a talent show. We were called Tempest. I played the drums, I recruited a bass player (Matt Massey) and a “guitar player” (Brandon Henry) We played a song that vaguely sounded like You’re In Love by RATT. Needless to say we won first place. No doubt due to the charisma of the drummer!
Going into 9th grade I faced a decision that was to be a turning point in my life. The football coach said that I would have to cut my hair to stay on the team. I had a tough decision to make, I liked football, but the most logical way to fame, fortune, and girls was to be in a band and have long hair! It did not take long to deliberate this one. I quit football. Thankfully my cousin was the baseball coach so my sports career could continue, but we will get to that later. As 9th grade began I immediately befriended the seniors. The best way to avoid initiation is to be friends with the tormentors, right? Almost immediately I was rolling with the “in” crowd. It did not hurt that my aunt was a cheerleader (WHAT’S UP AUNT SANDEE…Do you read this?!?!?!) This is where my love affair with alcohol really began. I swore that I would never be a drunk like my dad, I would always be young and cool. Oh how deceiving sin is!!!
I started another band playing drums with a couple of seniors. In my high school their was no competition band wise. If there was even a rumor that you played in a band, you were a rock star. Throughout my freshman year I would get drunk on the weekends. At one party in May, I had a brilliant revelation. All of my heroes smoke cigarettes, why should I not smoke cigarettes? Not many in school smoked, so I could really set myself apart! So at 14 I had smoking and drinking on my resume’.
I will briefly mention girls in this section, just to give some background. This is a difficult subject to approach. I want to give a full account of my life, so that hopefully people can learn what not to do! Holli and I agreed before we got married that we would not talk about previous relationships. This has been one of the wisest decisions we could have made. The past can not be changed. There was no need to bring up memories that can only bring pain. I dated a lot of girls throughout my prodigal years. They were a MAJOR vice, as significant as drinking and drugs. When you are a good looking guy in a band women fling themselves at you. I partook much to my detriment. I will leave it at that……