My Heroes Have Always Been...

Last Tuesday evening I played an Auggie Stardust show for the Love Hope Strength charity. On that same bill were many very talented musical acts. Among them were The Beat Officers, Tommy Ache and the Terrible Mistakes and the tremendously hansom Chip Greene. But the one that I was most excited to share a stage with was Tommy Womack. I have been a huge fan of his for damn near 20 years now. His work with Government Cheese, Bis-quits, Daddy and his own solo material are all stellar, humorous and very thought provoking. But his most influential work for me is his classic book The Cheese Chronicles: The True Story of a Rock n Roll Band You've Never Heard Of.

I read this book when I was in my early twenties and it made me want to play music more than anything else. Over the years I have read it multiple times and given it as a gift for Christmas, birthdays and graduations. Tommy has a gift for writing and his way of telling a story draws you in and makes you feel like you were there. Tuesday evening I brought my copy of the Cheese Chronicles with me for Mr. Womack to sign. It's always a real pleasure to meet the people you admire and they aren't assholes. I had a surreal moment when he first walked into the backstage area and I was standing at the counter with a mirror in one hand applying my eyeshadow. Everyone should have the opportunity to talk to one of their idols and tell them how much they've influenced your work while trying to make yourself up to look like the opposite sex.

I did get him to sign my book and he seemed genuinely pleased to know that he influenced someone to dress in drag and sing Miley Cyrus songs. To be honest I would be proud of that myself. Anyway here is what he wrote in my book:

"Auggie, God bless you in everything you. It's a pleasure to meet you. Tommy"

It was a good night.