October 1970 – Merging Traffic – Little Rock
Notes 1970
October 1970 – Merging Traffic – Little Rock
My marriage was deteriorating quickly without much hope of compromise, counseling or healing. Separation became the end of a youthful love affair. I gathered my belongings and moved into a temporary holding area with musician friends.
October 1970, I got a call from Don Garrett. Don was the bass player in my Mississippi group Sons Of Tyme. Don was back in his hometown, Little Rock.
[Don’s group needed a drummer. I needed a gig]
The band was called Merging Traffic. Like similar regional groups, they had some success as recording artist. This group was all new members − with the exception of one.
The group drove from Little Rock to West Palm Beach in the band’s van. They loaded [me and my gear, drumset, motorcycle] into a U-Haul and headed back to Little Rock. It was crazy − being back on the road again − going to a new city.
Merging Traffic was an interesting excursion from my lounge lizard life. They were more of a concert event group. We did a club gig in Little Rock, but the group’s goal was another record and better paying gigs. It was a very good sounding, original band.
Merging Traffic was a 4-piece rhythm section, with 2 up front woodwind - vocalist. In 1970 - it was a different sound. The group played swampy music with rock and blues. Delaney and Bonnie, Joe Cocker and those styles of bands were on our radar. The group had a producer/manager, Tony Moon in Franklin, Tennessee.
The 3 months I was in this group (Oct-Nov-Dec 1970) was a crazy period. The bottom line is, it all failed.
Tony Moon booked us for a gig at Vanderbilt University. Before going back to Little Rock, the group had a night off. The band went to a concert in Nashville to hear Sha Na Na, Rare Earth and James Gang. I remember walking by the closed Ryman Auditorium on our way to the concert. I don’t know what the concert venue was. Our seats were on the floor, close to the stage. It wasn’t a proper music venue, more of an event hall.
I write about hearing Peter Rivera and Jimmy Fox in my book “130 drummers”
(As a side note) I believe the statute of limitations has expired. I met a certain (well documented) individual at a Spirit concert. Her nickname was “Sweet Connie” from Little Rock. You can listen to the song by Grand Funk Railroad.
Without any interest to continue the groups recording future and no gigs insight, the band bands future was bleak. I started making plans to return to Florida. I sold what drums and cymbals I could to help pay my rent.
After several months of struggling about, Merging Traffic came to an end. Our last gig was a 1970 – 1971 New Years Eve at Frank Schenk’s Beach House, in Biloxi. I still haven’t got paid. ($200) The check must be in the mail.
January 1, 1971 – Geneva – U-Haul – Broken Heart
I rented a car and a U-Haul trailer for my inherited Rogers drumset and 1969 Honda 450 motorcycle. I remember falling asleep at the wheel driving back to Florida. It was a brief moment when I was off the road and quickly recovered.
Being back in Geneva, Florida again was a strange feeling. It was similar to my Summer of Love - 1967 first road gig in Cocoa Beach, then coming back. (Notes of a Young Drummer 1966-1969)
“But, there was a difference”
In 1967, age 17, I had zero mental baggage from Love.
In 1971, age 21, I was wounded with a broken heart, from an unsuccessful marriage.