Approximate dates:
Base of Operations:Delray Beach, Florida
Manager: none
Agents: none
Personnel:
Reuben David Ferguson - Organ, Piano, Vocals,
Percussion
Harry James Hafferkamp - Guitar, Vocals
Chip Mills - Vocals, Guitar
Tony Arnett - Bass Guitar
John Way - Drums
Brief History
I suppose this group was the straw that broke the
camel's back. I was working on a college degree at the same time
that I was playing in this band, and I was a bit discouraged that with
all of my experience, education, and skill (modesty has never been a problem
with me) I was still working at "the local bar", in this case, Mr. Fubb's
in Boynton Beach, Florida. We were paid peanuts - ("... but
you can have all the beer you want for free! What's the problem?")
- and couldn't seem to find steady work. The drummer, John was, (how
shall I put this delicately?) at best, not that good, and he was difficult
to be around (does the truth hurt, John? Good). As it turned
out, John, Chip, and Tony "quit", started a new band (with the same name,
I think), and went on without Harry or me - in effect firing us.
I talked to Chip a while later and he said that John ended up giving him
the screw job, too.
I had had it. I could no longer bear working
with idiots with practically nothing to show for it, and I couldn't take
starting another band from scratch for the umpteenth time. So, I
did what I said I would never do: I gave up. The world of the business
of music had managed to crush any spark of life that was left in my urge
to succeed in pop music. I decided to devote all of my creative energies
toward writing and recording my music with no help, or hassle, from anyone
else, and that's what I've been doing ever since.
Maybe, someday, I'll go back to live performance.
I do miss the performing end, but if I never set foot in another nightclub
again as long as I live, that'll be fine with me. I never want to
have to deal with another crooked agent, manager, or club owner again,
and the number of those individuals that I have dealt with over the years
who have not been crooks I can count on the fingers of one hand.
What, me bitter? What ever gave you that idea?