Welcome to day 3 of the Ten Days of Flowers! I have something a little different today, and it’s something that’s never been shared anywhere. So, thanks for joining in!
Luke Stone strode into the KSJT radio studio in San Angelo, Texas, removing his sunglasses and hat. He approached a young woman behind a counter. “I’m here to see Mr. Worth.”
She glanced up, then grinned. “Sure thing, Mr. Stone. I’ll let him know you’re here.”
“You have me at a disadvantage. You seem to know me, but I don’t know you.”
She blushed. “I’m Priscilla.”
“Then it’s nice to meet you, Priscilla.”
She cleared her throat. “Would you mind autographing your latest record for me?” She slid it across the counter.
“My pleasure.” Luke scrawled his signature across the record and handed it back.
A deep, booming voice filled the room. “Luke. You made it. Come on back.” A tall, thin man dressed in a black t-shirt and Levis pointed toward a door with a neon flashing studio sign.
Luke followed Bill Worth into the studio.
Bill pointed to a chair behind a microphone. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything? Coffee? A Coke.”
Luke sat and placed his hat on the table. “Nah. I’m good. Is this going to be live?”
“It will. And I’ll take callers if anyone has a question for you.” We have ninety seconds before I switch on your mic.”
Luke nodded and leaned back, pulling a cigar from his shirt pocket. “Mind if I smoke?”
“Only if you share.” Bill flipped switches.
As soon as the live session light blinked on, Bill Worth made a short introduction and then asked his first question. “So, Luke, tell our listeners what’s been happening with you.”
“I’ve been busy. Between working on a new record and playing gigs, I made a couple of trips to Nashville last month to meet with record producers.”
Bill: “That’s exciting. How did that go.”
Luke: “Got a few good leads. You know who Tillman Franks is, right?”
Bill: “Of course. Tillman is managing Dave Houston right now. They’re making a big splash.”
Luke: “Tillman has promised to sign me as soon as he gets Houston going good, so that’s something to look forward to.”
Bill: “I’d say it is. We have a caller. Do you mind?”
Luke: “Of course not.”
A female voice comes on the line. “Luke, honey, you haven’t called me back like you said you would.”
Bill immediately disconnected the call. “Sorry about that, folks. That was a miscue.”
Luke chuckled. “I’d say.”
Bill: “Tell me more about what you’re working on and when we can look for your next record.”
Luke: “I’m finishing up a remake of an old Fats Domino song, Valley of Tears. I ran into him in California a few years back and heard him sing it. I asked him then if I could record it someday. So that one will be hitting the streets soon.”
Bill: “I understand one of your songs recently hit number one on a foreign music chart.”
Luke: He chuckles. “Den of Sin just went to number one in Denmark. It’s a small country, but they like my music.”
Bill: “Congratulations. I’m going to play that one for our listeners, and we’ll be back for more.”
Luke leaned back, stretched his legs, and puffed the King Edward cigar.
Bill: “Ladies and gentlemen, here’s the number one hit from Luke Stone and the Rebel Rousers, Den of Sin.”
Bill and Luke chat for a few more minutes, then end the interview with an invitation.
Bill: “Luke, where can folks find you and the band tonight?”
Luke: “We’ll be at the Boots and Saddle from 8 til midnight. So grab your favorite dance partner and come on out ’cause I can promise you we’ll be having a good time.”
Bill: “You heard him, San Angelo. I’ll see you all at the Boots and Saddle tonight.”
Once off the air, Luke stands and extends his hand. “Sure appreciate the publicity. You and the missus come out tonight, my treat.”
This is pure fiction, although Luke Stone (aka Rick Sikes) did many radio interviews as he traveled promoting his records. While this is fiction, it’s also plausible. And there are also some truths. Den of Sin did go to #1 in Denmark. Tillman Franks had promised to sign Rick, and he did record Valley of Tears, which went on to make it onto the Billboard charts in the United States.
I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit, and you heard the Den of Sin teaser here first!!