My own Nite-Mare Gig Experience...

"He stopped Loving Her, Today"

By W.O. Bryant III

It was graduation weekend at The University of Virginia, about 6 years ago (1990). I was at that time part of a trio of keyboards, Bass, and Guitar. The leader was The Keyboard player, Randy. We finished up or dinner set and took our first twenty minute break from our gig at the local "Fine Dining" Steak house and watering hole. The place was packed full of students taking their parents out for the customary Dinner after graduation. After taking bladder relief tours, we stood in the entrance lobby, watching the general commotion that was a busy Saturday night at this restaurant. Suddenly there was a scream from the side dining room. I ran to see what was up. I found that a rather rotund gentleman had fallen face-first into his plate of prime rib with a (soon to be) fatal heart attack. The Rescue Squad was called. They arrived, and attempted to resuscitate the poor guy, to no avail. The gentleman's wife was hysterical, to say the least.

Word of the proceedings had filtered back to the lounge side, and the gaiety of the evening had been replaced by a sadness very appropriate to the situation. The Guitar player, Joe and I made our way back to the band stand, not quite sure how we should proceed. Randy had made his choice of drum patterns and motioned us to the stage. We strapped on our axes and waited for the count-off.

I could not believe which song Randy had chosen! As he spoke into the mike those words I would not forget for the rest of my life..."by request" He played the opening chords to the old George Jones tune. Joe and I both stood there, open-mouthed as the rescue squad removed the covered body of the gentleman and Randy sang...

"He said I'll love you till I die..." Yes, we were supposed to join him in "He stopped loving her, Today"

Needless to say, It was a long, long time before we got booked to play there again.

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