Wow, what a day yesterday!! I’ve been working hard trying to get new gigs sorted out, get press kits updated, write new songs, blah blah… WCB is a demanding mistress! ;o)
I set off for Des Moines yesterday afternoon to meet Geno and play at AK O’Conner’s. I was by myself and driving our band van, Snowball II (Snowball I died on the way to Fargo a couple of years ago. RIP). Pretty easy drive to Des Moines so I was all set to go. Nice easy trip, play one night and then come home Friday for our weekend gigs at Jake O’Connor’s Friday and Saturday. Yeah, lots of O’Connor’s/O’Conner’s gigs this weekend…
I guess Snowball II had other ideas about the trip. I thought I felt a slight shimmy in the steering, but I convinced myself that it was either my imagination, or there was snow in the tires or something that was throwing it slightly off balance.
Anyway, about 80 miles into the trip, I felt like I had been kicked square in the ass and instantly assumed I had blown out a tire (I’ve been needing to put new tires on the van for awhile now). The thing started fishtailing all over the road, and I was REALLY lucky I wasn’t in a big group of cars or something or things could have been REALLY bad. I managed to get the speed down and steer into the skids so she didn’t roll. This was at 75 MPH so that took kind of awhile. I fought and eventually got over to the right shoulder and got things to a stop. I got out of the van and I really won’t type what I was saying at the time… loudly. I took the pic you see above, which basically shows what happened–there used to be a tire there, among other things.
Got back in the van and pulled out my AAA card. My wonderful parents buy me a AAA membership every year for my birthday which might not seem that cool but I have to say it has saved my ass on more than one occasion. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU parents!!!! They even upgrade it and get the 100 mile free towing package, which really came in handy yesterday.
I didn’t even have time to dial AAA when a car with a Tennessee plate pulled over and a guy got out, wearing a Notre Dame sweatshirt. God bless the Irish. He was a nice man and drove me to the next exit (a mile down the road) where luckily there was a convenience store with a little cafe thing. I called AAA from there and waited for an hour or so. They sent a tow truck, hooked up my van and drove both me and Snowball II home.
I got really lucky and am really thankful that I have great parents and a AAA card. If you drive a lot, I would definitely recommend you sign up for AAA.
Unfortunately we had to cancel the Des Moines gig, but we’ll be back there March 4 so if you’re in the area at all, come say hello and celebrate our return with me.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Adam
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