Holy Hot Mess by Mary Katherine Backstrom

Author:Mary Katherine Backstrom [BACKSTROM, MARY KATHERINE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Worthy
Published: 2021-08-03T00:00:00+00:00

Soul Purpose made a home in Blount’s garage, where we practiced four days a week. Mr. Steve took note of which snacks we’d devour, and he kept the pantry stocked. At four o’clock, we’d grab a few Pop-Tarts, chat for a minute, then jam until somebody’s momma called.

One day, after a few months of practice, Blount called us in for a chat.

“So, what do y’all think,” he asked the group. “Are we ready for our first gig?”

There was a buzz of excitement among the band, and the consensus was heck yes, we were.

“Natalie Grant is playing the Farm Center next month, but she doesn’t have an opening act. There’s a competition for local bands to fill the spot… and I think we should enter.”

“Do we need to use original songs?” Kara asked.

“For legal reasons, I think so,” Blount responded.

“Do I have to wear shoes?” Oliver joked.

“At the Farm Center, Ollie? I think you’re good,” I laughed.

“We are gonna have to work our butts off,” Elliott added.

“I agree. And write new songs,” Blount said. “So… I’m thinking a songwriter’s retreat. Who’s in?”

As if he had to ask.

We piled in cars with suitcases, guitars, and notebooks, then rode to the lake for a three-day weekend. We were gonna write a platinum album. All we needed was time. The boys played guitar until their fingers bled, and the girls filled pages with lyrics. At the end of each day, we’d gather at the floating dock and compile what we had into songs.

What was intended as a song-building exercise became something else entirely. It turns out, you can’t write original music without exposing a piece of who you are. A lyric here would point to a story there, and we’d end up talking for hours. One night, the floating dock was somehow unhitched from its post. After an hour of talking and writing, we found ourselves floating in the middle of open water.

It was fun for a while, singing under the stars, but around midnight, I started to panic. Kara and I made the boys jump in and tow us back to shore. I remember they looked like seahorses pulling a ginormous floating chariot. It was freaking hysterical. During the ride, I convinced Blount that sharks lived in Lake Martin, and I swear to you, his body levitated out of the water and onto that dock, and we all laughed until we cried.

When Monday finally came, the band went home with so much more than music. Not only were we ready to take on our first gig, but together, we could take on the world.

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