I return to my journals from 1978, 1980, 1982, and 1985. In January of 1978, I was 19 years old and studying flute at Mars Hill College. In January of 1980, I was 21. I’d spent five semesters at MHC and the previous summer in Europe. During the autumn of ’79, with my world and mind expanded through travel, I seemed to have reached a some conclusions: one was that I didn’t have the dexterity to be a great flute player; another was that I had an interest in the music business, specifically songwriting; yet another was that I would leave Mars Hill and transfer to Belmont College, a similar school in Nashville, Tennessee, where a new program in music business was being offered. These conclusions led me to make the bold move to Music City, a move which lasted only until June of that year when I’d finished one semester at Belmont and returned home to North Carolina. January of 1982 found 23-year-old me again involved with Nashville — a sort of long-distance relationship at first, but later that year a second move. In January 1985, I was 26-going-on-27, and I’d been living in Nashville for a couple of years — making friends and making music.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.478 [Wednesday, January 4, 1978]
Well, I’m counting down the days until I have to go back to school. This Sunday I’ll have to load up and head back. I’ve got kind of mixed emotions about the whole thing; I want very much to not have to leave here, but at the same time I want to go back I guess more than anything just to get out again.
Today, Joey and I went to the “derm” and then over to Tweed’s at about 10:00. We sat around and talked for about an hour-and-a-half, then Mike got ready and we went to the Western Sizzler for some lunch. Over lunch the subject of beer came up and for some reason I made mention of the fact that I don’t like to eat and drink and prefer to have a coke and then beer. Mike didn’t seem to be concerned and I didn’t really think about it until Joe said something about it when we left Tweed’s at about 3:30. It was a really good day. This evening has been mostly made up of watching TV and reading. I bought a book, The Force of Star Wars, and it deals with things Mike and I have talked about, parallels with the Bible; pretty interesting. . . .
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.578 [Thursday, January 5, 1978]
I love these good easy days. I rolled out of bed at 11:30 and from then on I did next to nothing. I was a PSA on WLOS-TV about “STAR TREK and Science Convention” coming up soon. I’m pretty sure I’ll go to that.
Harlon said he talked to Jim yesterday and we’re gonna try to have a sort of White Water reunion jam on Saturday. I’m really looking forward to that. . . .
Captain’s Compiled Log: Stardates 010.678-010.878 [Friday-Sunday, January 6-8, 1978]
Well the big thing going on right now is that I’m back at school. It was pretty much of a hassel [sic] getting everything back up here but it all came out alright. It’s pouring the snow outside so the high school won’t meet tomorrow and if this keeps up they may be out quite a while.
That’s about it for today and the last two or three for that matter. Oh yea [sic], I took G——— out Saturday and we had a really good time. She’s really nice and I could lose myself in her, but something in me just won’t let go and I don’t know why. . . .
I lived my freshman year in Spilman Hall, one of the oldest dormitories on the Mars Hill College campus. One of my favorite memories of that time is that when snow fell, the boys from Florida — and MHC had quite a few of these — would go outside every few minutes to wipe the accumulation off their cars, fearing that snow might ruin their paint jobs.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.978 [Monday, January 9, 1978]
Well, my started off today by standing in line for two-and-a-half hours to get a sticker put on my ID (<– Bummer). This evening I went to Mike’s to eat supper and we went to see “Close Encounters.” It is really a great movie. I feel so free when I see it and I can really identify with Roy Neary. He’s played by Richard Dreyfuss, who has now become my favorite actor. Tomorrow I start my hand bell class so I’ll get some Z’s now. . . .
MHC had these short-term semesters in January each year, during which students could take a class in some special interest. I don’t remember if I took any other January courses, but I remember enjoying learning to play handbells.
Now the scene shifts to the beginning of January 1980. I was less than two months past my 21st birthday and settling in on 17th Avenue in Nashville. I can only imagine that I took this step with the aid of confidence earned in my summer abroad with AESU — the American-European Student Union tour.
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.679 [actually 010.680; Sunday, January 6, 1980]
Tonight is my second night as a citizen of Nashville, Tennessee. It’s been as good as an be expected of the situation I have put myself into. That of being off campus in an upstairs one-room apartment. So far it has been boring and very lonely but I have chosen this for work purposes, school and song-writing. I had my fun last semester, about which I must write something now.
I knew Phill Shuford as a very good friend for 2 years before we became roommates in apartment 013. The only blemish on our semester was that Phill spent 8 week[s] in Washington, D.C. We really missed him in the good times we had. He is a great fellow and was always a very good friend.
I knew Keith Johnson in a basic “Hello” relationship for a while, but not quite as long a[s] Phill. KJ is a funny man and there’s never a dull moment when he’s around. He was the main reason we got in trouble with the girls upstairs, stayed up half the night every night. Through all the laughter and nonsense, Keith is a very good friend.
Finally, I had no idea who Ed Huskey was before I came to 013 but it wasn’t long before he became my closest friend.
As soon as I started getting to know him I knew there was a special chemistry between he and I. He painted me a picture of the Silver Warrior and I gave him a guitar, and we laughed alot [sic]. We are now brothers but now also separated. Yet for the last 4 months he’s been a big part of my life and I love him.
So ends and begins another stage of my life. It was as much fun (or more) as Europe and we had great times. Keith and Phill are still in 013, Ed is in Cherokee and I’m here in Nashville . . . I miss ’em . . . and I love ’em. . . .
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.780 [Monday, January 7, 1980]
It has [sic]
It has been a very good day. I spoke with Mr. Mulloy of the MB department today and registered. My classes look exciting and I’ll be glad to get started. I’m taking Accounting, History of Commercial Music, Algebra, Survey of Music Business, Business Intro, and Intro to the Studio.
There are many pretty girls here and in general most people I talked to were very nice . . . True Southerners! I mailed a bunch of letter and talked to Mom and Dad on the phone tonight. I’m looking forward to the back home scene. . . .
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.880 [Tuesday, January 8, 1980]
The first day of classes went well today. They are all new and I can see now this is a real challenge. I just hope I’m up to it. I’m gonna work on being a bit more out-going and aggressive . . . try to move with a little more self-confidence. I am in no way changing my personality, just bringing it out more. It’ll be a slow change ’cause it’s very hard for me to do. I think just the confidence and drive to just speak out is what I need to develop.
There are sure more people that [sic] I expected in this degree. Everywhere it seems I ran into MB majors, my classes are at least 80% MB people.
I’ll be taking flute, as soon as I can get lessons arranged, with Mrs. Norma Rogers. I want to keep up my flute no matter what.
I also need to see the Financial aid people about a UDSL ’cause it looks like I’m gonna need it.
Well, I’ve got accounting and History of Commercial Music tomorrow so I better go. Unless I can talk myself out of it or it costs more than $5.00, I’ll be going to see live wrestling tomorrow night; that should be wild . . .
Captain’s Log: Stardate 010.980 [Wednesday, January 9, 1980]
Well, now I’ve been to all of my classes once except for flute and MB Seminar. Things are gonna be OK. One more night here then I’ll go home for a couple of days and I can hardly wait.
I went to see live wrestling for the first time tonight. It was funny to watch the crowd[‘]s reaction to all that was going on.
I performed my habit again tonight. One of these days I’m gonna learn to let the Lord strengthen me.
I wrote some new lyrics today; no music yet. It’s called “Once for Every Lonely Night” and with the right music it might come out pretty well. I’m thinking about calling some guys who want a lead singer for a Christian rock group. I think it might be a good experience. . . .
I sort of remember “Once for Every Lonely Night.” I’m sure I have the lyric somewhere, and I probably have a demo recording of it somewhere as well. Wrestling matches used to take place regularly at the fairgrounds in Nashville. Although I’d regularly watched wrestling on TV since the 1960s, I’d never seen a live show before this trip in January ’80.
Captain’s Log Stardate 8201.06 [Wednesday, January 6, 1982]
Another tough, tough day gone by. This morning we moved Mama Reeves to Ernie’s for a stay. She took it rather hard but she’s OK for now. The house was different when I came back here and I’m very worried as to how Mom is going to take that difference when she gets back from Jerry’s.
I had one break from the toughness of the day when I went downtown in Asheville. First I went up to the Pack Squire Magazine story and rummaged through them and finally bought a Rolling Stone. From there I went around a couple of corners to Woolworth’s and stopped at the lunch counter for a greasy burger and french fries while I read my magazine. Then I went to the Glass Company and got my flute out of repair for a mere $90 (it had been there since 8107.31 [Friday, July 31, 1981]). From there it was down hill. When I got to Ron’s office I found out that Earl’s check bounced and we can’t get hold of him. We can’t find out what the deal is or if the deal is. I am prepared for the whole thing to fall through but I don’t know what I’ll do if it does. It’s just that so many would be let down besides me. Anyway, I feel that the music I am writing is very good and that it’s something people will accept as many already have. The only thing I know is to leave it in the hands of my LORD and allow His will to be done.
Getting back to today, I called Jerry at work to see what, if anything he had gotten out of Mom and Dad, turned out to be nothing, and also tell him Mama Reeves was moved up on the hill.
Tonight I listened to music, watched some TV, played guitar, ate Chinese food, and finishe[d] a song called “Marie”. It may not be on e of my best but it was something to write. I have the house to myself so I don’t know if I’ll stay here tomorrow or hit A-ville again. . . .
If I’m not mistaken, my flute was in the shop for so long because of the repair it needed after I sat on it. Yes, I sat on it. I’d been playing in my bedroom one night in July 1981 (I’m guessing about this general date). I had the lights off while I improvised melodies. At some point, I put the flute down on one of the beds and left the room for something. I came back in without turning on the lights and sat down on the bed exactly where the flute lay. What a sickening feeling!
My family — Dad, Mom, Jerry, and I — had moved into the Reeves homeplace in Walnut after Papa Reeves walked on in June 1968. So, I grew up in the same house Mom grew up in. But living with my grandmother, Mama Reeves, took its toll on Mom, who had a difficult time transitioning from daughter to being herself as wife and mother. Never terribly strong emotionally — at least according to her — Mom had a kind of breakdown at this time, and she and Dad left to stay with Jerry in Statesville, expecting the rest of the family to sort out Mama Reeves. That’s how she ended up at my aunt Ernie’s for a period of time before going to a nursing home in Shelby, where my uncle Mack was a Methodist minister. Mama Reeves eventually walked on from there.
By January of 1985, I’d been living in Nashville for 2-3 of years. I shared a love of Bruce Springsteen’s music with friends Noel Hudson and T. Michael Scalf. When the Boss was touring, we’d jump in the car and drive to places like Greensboro, NC, and Lexington, KY, to catch shows with tickets purchased from scalpers. When Springsteen came to the Nashville area (Murfreesboro), I slept overnight in a sleeping bag on a winter sidewalk to buy tickets for the gang.
Captain’s Log Stardate 8501.03 [Thursday, January 3, 1985]
Today it rained and was cold. I did very little besides work. Things at the store were pretty slow because of the weather, and I slowly developed a headache. I called John Johnson in Greensboro tonight to make sure he had me [a] ticket to the Boss’ 8501.19 show in that city. He does and I’m going. . . .
Check out this video clip from an old 20/20 episode, in which Hugh Downs did a segment on Springsteen’s support of local food banks. At around the two-minute mark, a woman from the Greensboro food bank is featured and right about 2:20, Noel and T. Michael step in to give donations. Noel is in the blue jean jacket and what looks like a UCLA shirt, and T. Michael comes right behind him in the black leather jacket.
More from my old Writing Life blog: