Shooter Jennings

Shooter Jennings and the .357s were in Grand Rapids and Losey was interviewing Bryan Keeling, the band's drummer. We met up at The Woods, although the interview was already in progress. Keeling was a "cool cat," and promised us passes so we could come and go as we pleased at the show.

We got to The Intersection. We were on the list but there were no backstage credentials. Losey was disappointed but figured something could be worked out. He texted Keeling and tried to call. He decided to go out to the bus to see what was possible. He was gone for 20 minutes. I figured I might be on my own. My phone rang. It was Losey.

"Dude, come out the doors right now. We're going in with the band."

I headed out the exit doors toward the bus. Losey was walking with Ted Russell Kamp, the bassist. Losey introduced me to Kamp a couple of years back when he interviewed him for a bass magazine. Kamp was singing something like, "Steven, Steven Losey, king of the music frontier" or something weird like that. Actually, it was a 70s Cars song with Losey intertwined into the lyrics, but I don't remember what he said ... I was too fired up.

We headed into the venue. I was wearing a black David Allan Coe shirt and the doorman had on a Coe shirt as well. "Cool shirt, dude," I said. I don't really know why, but I thought it sounded good.

Keeling and Kamp headed up on stage first and started the first song, their new one "This Ole Wheel." Shooter Jennings stood around talking to his girlfriend, then he headed up. It was like a moment our of Rick's personal version of "Almost Famous." We indeed had free reign to do what we wanted. Sidestage, backstage, dressing room ... I took several shots from the photographer's pit.

The show last about and hour and a half. The band came off stage prior to their encore and stood around just talking about the show. I watched them, mesmerized. A real live rock 'n' roll country band getting ready to head on stage for their encore. I figured it would be "Busted in Baylor County," but it wasn't . They finished. The band was done.

They headed out the same door we all came in. Losey had been wandering around and he returned.

"Well, what's the plan?" I asked him, hoping maybe Keeling had arranged for us to get onto the tour bus. I've hung backstage and met some band members, but I've never had the chance to "get on the bus." We hung around outside for a few minues.

Losey's phone beeped. He had a text message. "Where you at dude?" It was Keeling. Losey called him and Keeling said, "Get on the bus." We walked 20 feet to the bus. I smiled and turned to Losey and said, "Dude ..."