I hope you’ve been enjoying the posts celebrating the 10th birthday of Flowers and Stone. There are so many aspects to the book, including Darlina’s background and growth. When she first met Luke, she was go-go dancing at a club that had live music but that she could legally get into because she was underage. I said in a previous post the club had lost its liquor license for serving minors. But part of her experience working there was learning to dance. The club owner had been a professional dancer in Czechoslovakia, and she taught all the girls who worked there to dance.
As her relationship with Luke deepened, and she became more acclimated to the lifestyle of a road musician, she finally felt accepted. But she was ecstatic when Luke proposed an off-the-wall idea to include her in the shows.
EXCERPT – Chapter 9:
Luke excitedly woke Darlina up at ten o’clock in the morning, a few days after the Lakewood Club incident. “I just had the most brilliant idea! I can’t believe it took me this long to think of it.”
She rubbed her eyes and yawned. “Okay, baby. What is it?”
“I wanna start having go-go dancers as a part of the Rebel Rouser’s shows, and honey, you’re gonna be my star dancer.”
“That’s a great idea. I don’t know of any other band that has dancers, especially not country bands. I’d love to do it, but you’re gonna need more than me.”
“I know, and I’ve already thought of that. I’ll get Louise, Sherry, or Dee Dee, depending on who’s free on the nights we need ‘em.”
“I love it, Luke. I think it’ll make your band even more popular than you are now, if that’s possible.”
“We’re playin’ the Westwood Club in Abilene this comin’ Saturday night, and that’d be the perfect place to try it out. A bunch of snooty rich doctors and lawyers are always at that club. I’d be willin’ to bet some go-go girls would liven the place up.”
Darlina pushed her away from her face and sat up. “I’ll get all my costumes out today and see if I can spruce them up with sequins or beads.”
True story. Rick Sikes was the first country band to bring in go-go dancers as part of the show, and it went over exceptionally well.
I wish I had some photos, but consider the times. No one had phones with cameras like today, and I don’t have a single picture of me in any of my costumes.
While Rick’s band was basically country, they also played songs like Steppewolf’s The Pusher, Poke Salad Annie, Susie Q, and other rock tunes of the time. They were versatile and talented. And I was proud to be some small part of it all.
Here’s one more short excerpt that shows how Darlina felt.
EXCERPT:
As they traveled down the highway, Darlina reflected on how good it felt to belong. Ever since she could remember, fitting in and belonging were always in her daydreams. Now, she loved being some small part of the music. She knew she could never tell Luke how she’d always fantasized about being a singer, or he’d find a way to get her up on the stage to sing. So, she contentedly rode at his side and vowed to keep that secret to herself.
She had beamed with pride when Rita told her how happy they all were that she and Luke were together and how she could tell Luke was happy. Darlina was good for him. The encouragement was nice because it validated what she felt as well.
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Happy 10th Jan. I love the new cover, and loved the book. <3
Thank you, Debby!
You would have been such a cute Go-Go Dancer!! Too bad there are no pictures.
Lol. I agree. Too bad there weren’t any pictures. 🙂
Jan, I read this a long time ago and it felt good to read this excerpt again! Happy 10th BookAnniversary!
Thank you, Linda. I’m glad you enjoyed the excerpt!
Sister it was a little strange watching you dance up there but I was immensely proud of you. You had to the courage to reach for your dreams where I kinda drifted wherever life took me. I sure didn’t want any part of the spotlight! I didn’t want people looking at me. Loved this part of the book that showed so much growth in you. 🙂 You followed the beat of a different drum that’s for sure. Love you.
Lol, sister. I don’t know it was courage or ignorance. I only knew I wanted to be a part of something, so I went for it. I appreciate you following along on this blog tour! See you tomorrow! Love you!
I loved your story about Rick turning the speaker around. Amazing innovation. I enjoyed this book on the first go around and wish you the best with the revision.
Thank you, John. Rick was awarded a Pioneer in Music award from the West Texas Music Hall of Fame, and it was well-deserved. He was always thinking and trying new things. I appreciate the kind words about the story. And thank you for coming along on this journey!
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Sounds like you had a lot fun with the Go-Go dancing. Too bad there weren’t any pics from it but as you said we didn’t take pictures of everything then. Xo
That’s true, Denise. Pictures were not common back them. You not only had to lug around a camera, but then you had to get the film developed. 🙂 We’ve come a long way. Thanks for visiting today!
I love the idea of go-go dancers. You must have had so much fun, Jan! And I love the fact that you and Rick were performing together.
I can clearly remember how I felt about getting to be a part of the shows. And it was fun. Looking back though, it feels like I’m looking at someone else’s life. Thank you for stopping by, Mae!
Okay, I have to ask. Did you have white go-go boots? Haven’t thought of those things in years!
Lol. Yes. White, black and even gold boots. 🙂 Those were the days. Thanks for visiting, Joan!
It is very interesting to see how the story takes shape with your excerpts.
I’m glad you are seeing basically what the story is about, Erika. Thank you for following along!
Yes, and I admire you how to put it together for the reader in your unique way, Jan!
I’m enjoying these snippets and trivia about your story, Jan. And go-go boots sure did bring back fond memories. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I’m so glad you are enjoying these bits and pieces of the story, Mary. It’s my pleasure to share. And yes, go-go boots and short skirts. Ah, the memories. Now it’s tennis shoes and leggings. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! Hugs!
It’s great that you learned to dance.
Lol. Consider the era. Go-go dancing was wildly popular in the seventies. Thanks for stopping by, Robbie!
You’ve got me beat, Jan! I thought I was wild back in the day with my limbo contest! 🙂
Lol, Jill. I can honestly say I never partook in a limbo contest. I never heard of it until I was a middle-aged adult. It was the era for go-go and disco dancing. 🙂 Thanks for following along!
A go-go dancer! Wow, you’ve led an exciting life, Jan!
It was quite an experience for this little holy-roller girl from the desert, Vera. And the journey continued through many phases and stages. Thank you for following along on this celebration!
I love the ideas behind the shows. Trying things is part of the process. I’m sure it’s the same today, and you don’t know if it’s going to work until it’s out there. Cell phones make it more risky, but an act has to evolve.
That is true, Craig, and I think you show that well with Lizzie and the Pythons. Another thing Rick did that was revolutionary at the time was to turn a speaker around to face the stage so he could hear. Other bands and musicians laughed at him. Nowadays, a band wouldn’t even think of getting on stage without monitors.
That’s awesome.