Every band has a frontman, a guitar hero, and a drummer who thinks he’s the frontman. Another Roadside Attraction had all of those. What kept us alive, though, was Tom.
Tom was our roadie, which is a polite way of saying he did everything the rest of us were too busy being artists to do. He drove us everywhere. He hauled the gear, loaded the van, unloaded the van, and then loaded it again. Meanwhile we stood around discussing the creative direction of a song nobody had asked for.
And he never really charged us. Not in any way that counted. Musicians are famous for paying people in exposure. Tom didn’t even ask for that. He just showed up.
Roadside needed rescuing from itself more than once. Bands are like that: talent, ego, and bad scheduling crammed into one vehicle. Tom was the one holding the steering wheel, literally and otherwise. He was the workhorse. He was the quiet reason we got to the gig at all.
Here’s the part that gets me. Years later, Tom is still offering. Still asking how he can help. Still offering me a ride when I need one. The band has changed and life has changed, but Tom hasn’t.
Jesus said the greatest among us would be the servant of all. Most of us read that and nod. Tom just lived it, one load-in at a time.
So here’s to Tom: the man behind the band, the one who never needed the spotlight because he was too busy carrying it.
“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Matthew 20:26
— The Captain
Roadside Stories: True stories from the road, as best as the Captain can remember them.
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