Grandma Drummer Crush

My friend Art plays bass guitar in a rock and roll band in Lansing, Michigan called "The Day Job Regulators" (aka TDJR). They all work together for the state as regulators of environmental laws. I jokingly call them The Blow Job Regulators. They don't think it's very funny, but I think it's a crackup.

In 2006 I used to visit Lansing - next to the cool vibes of Michigan State University in East Lansing - for a project I was working on. I'd try to schedule things so I could hang as a groupie at one of TDJR's practices. They would let me sit in on rhythm guitar once or twice, but usually I just did back-up vocals or play the tambourine, drink beer and make a general ass of myself.

On one visit, their drummer Carrie - a cute girl who looked maybe forty-something - sang Joey by Concrete Blonde. It was one of those surprising moments when a singer sings a song with such truth and conviction that you don't even notice they can't sing so great. On that night, I loved Carrie's version of Joey and I always will. I think she knew a "Joey" in her past and maybe that's why it came through so true.

Of course, right then and there I got a tiny little crush on Carrie. One of those safe kind of crushes that married people can get but never worry about. Later that night I mentioned to Art that I liked the way Carrie did Joey - that she was kind of cute. He quickly turned to me and said, "What!!? She's a Grandma!!!"

Should the fact that she's a Grandma drumming in a rock and roll band doing a pure, truthful cover of Joey make my crush stronger, creepy, or instantly disappear? I'm still pondering it. What would Joey do?

Carrie, thanks for the memory. Keep on singing girl.