I have told the story many times. On March 18, 1983, I walked into the Sears store in Clarksville, Indiana, a place I would come to know well, and found a cassette tape that changed me. This was my Ed Sullivan moment. This was my Buddy Holly moment. I looked down and saw this curious artwork on what, compared to an old vinyl album, looked like a postage stamp. It said: Including Nights in White Satin. I like that song, I thought. On my 15th birthday, I received a gift that has stayed with me all these years on.

As I type these words, I am listening to that exact cassette 42 years later. It still sounds great. I found the music that would be the soundtrack of my life. It still is. Even though I have written and recorded three proper albums. Even though just the last few weeks I have been practicing the most important song I have written this decade, when I listen to The Moody Blues things just seem a little better.

Only a couple of weeks ago, I saw The Moodies’ John Lodge and his band for the first time. I have seen Justin Hayward, and his merry group of players, perform ten shows. This on top of 54 Moody Blues concerts between 1986 and 2017. In 2017, my dear wife, Carrie, and I left The Ryman balcony before the last note of the encore Ride My See-Saw died. Never reaching the end is the way I needed to leave it. From The Other Side of Life to playing Days of Future Passed Live. It was a full circle experience for me that most fans can’t comprehend. But I was there. Was I ever.

So, I turn 57.

The year went by too quickly. I have enjoyed it for the most part. In my 56th year, I saw the Indiana Hoosiers become ultra-significant on the college football landscape for the first time in my life. I didn’t expect to live that long. Thanks goes to Indiana AD Scott Dolson and IU Football Coach Curt Cignetti. My sources tell me that Scott Dolson, who chose Coach Cig, will be able to select the next IU Basketball Coach. Dolson was not afforded that chance the last hiring cycle. I wanted it to work out for Coach Woodson. I watched him play at IU. He was a better college player than he was a college coach.

The fact that the number 56 above is a bit fuzzy is nice symbolism. As a high school football player, the only full-on season I played was in 1982 as a freshman. A back injury stole 1983. That back injury relegated me to punting and kicking in 1984. After a rough start to the season in 1985, I played the last 5 games at center, in addition to kicking and punting. I don’t think it was a completely popular decision at home. The results were there. 2-3 and much more competitive in the losses, after an 0-5 start. We gave the top two teams in the conference a tussle in two of the last three losses. We won the first sectional game ever played at North Harrison in 1985 in the next to last game of the season. All of that seems so far away now. There is probably a reason for that.

What’s next?

We keep pressing onward. I plan on playing my guitar more and listen a little closer for the next song to come into my life. Sometimes there are things you need to do so you can do the things you want to do. On that very special occasion, these two things merge together and change your life for the better. For me, music brings these two worlds together, as long as you do right by the song. Yes, Tim Krekel, your words and your voice still resonate with me.

I suppose one of the greatest gifts I have been bestowed is my audible memory. Between the things people have said to me, the songs that move me, the sports announcers I hear in my head and heart, or listening to Justin Hayward sing Nights in White Satin or Forever Autumn one more time, my ability to listen closely has led me on. Writing songs with no formal training and holding my own in a room with guys I had no business being around, I am thankful for my listening discernment.

Only this week have I found another great Birthday gift. Justin Hayward with Mike Batt and The London Philharmonic Orchestra recorded a version of one my favorite songs from my teenage years. They revisited The Dream Academy’s Life in a Northern Town, and it is a wonderful listen. I never imagined I would hear Justin Hayward sing this song. I am glad he said yes to whomever suggested this recording. It worked.

Full circle. I end this listening to the 2017 Days of Future Passed live recording.

For old time’s sake, I’ll lift the needle before the last note of Ride My See-Saw dies. Never reaching the end.

Speaking the 56-57 rights…

Danny Johnson

John Lodge spent Christmas Day 2023 in hospital, as the English say. He had suffered a stroke. There were many days ahead in hospital for John. He wondered if he had come to end of his journey.

I’ve heard music can be a source of strength for some stroke victims. Count John Lodge in that number.

This past Friday night, John Lodge was in Nashville, Indiana at The Brown County Music Center keeping the music of The Moody Blues alive and well. This was a promise he made to his old bandmate Graeme Edge before Graeme passed away in 2021. He is keeping the music of The Moody Blues alive and well as long as he can. John Lodge is 81. He still has the heart of a young English Rocker. There is no better explanation.

Leading up to seeing this show, I really didn’t know what to expect. The last time I saw John onstage was at The Ryman in Nashville, TN not Nashville, IN in 2017. In subsequent years, I have seen his old bandmate Justin Hayward play ten acoustic, scaled down shows. Hearing “a band” again was really special and I didn’t know how much I had missed it. The guitar helps John Lodge keep his balance. Walking out to the mic is delicate for him. Once he is there, he is home. And he can still put on a show. Why? He means it. He lives it. He belongs there. He’s been there a long time. Friday night, he told a story about how he was in a group with future Moody Blues member Ray Thomas called El Riot and the Rebels in the early 60s.

They routinely played gigs at a club outside of Birmingham, England. They were always “Top of the Bill”. One night they showed up and the promoter told them they were not top of the bill that night. The promoter went on to say this group from Liverpool, with a new single called Love Me Do, seems to be the rage. Lodgy said that night was the beginning of the British Invasion of popular music in his eyes.

That’s the kind of history we witnessed Friday night. To hear Ride My Seesaw, I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band), Isn’t Life Strange, and actually really enjoying Gemini Dream for the first time in nearly 40 years of hearing it, I was taken back. I thought about that 18-year-old me walking into The Louisville Gardens to see The Moody Blues for the first time in 1986. When the guys came out, I thought it was a good thing I got there when I did. There’s no way these guys will keep this up much longer! Ahh, the hubris of the young. What did I know? I’m now twelve years older than Graeme Edge, the oldest member of The Moodies, was that night in 1986. 45 looked too old for a rock and roller that night. Not so fast my friends…

John Lodge and Justin Hayward are all that is left of a group that was called The Moody Blues. Many fans wish they would get together again and play as their duo-led 1975 album called Blue Jays. Not me. I say leave these boys alone. Let them do their own thing. They had their run together. After seeing both of their solo shows now, I see why it will probably never happen. I don’t think it would work now. We know I have been wrong about these boys before.

Either way, this show by John Lodge and his band was a triumph. Long time Moodies side man Alan Hewitt on Keyboards and backing vocals, former 2nd Moodies drummer Billy Ashbaugh, Cello player Jason Charboneau, and guitarist Duffy King who also provided backing vocals. They took us back and delivered us forward at the same time with music that is timeless. Not a bad way to spend an evening.

Tragedy

This past Monday, we had to say goodbye to our son Jarrett’s dog Hot Rod. He took a sudden turn for the worse.

When Jarrett was stationed at Fort Bliss near El Paso, he and a friend came across Hot Rod in the desert. Jarrett was probably out there to see how fast he could make a car go without blowing up the engine. All I know is that he found Hot Rod with a back partially filled with buckshot apparently left there to die. Not so fast my friends!

Hot Rod gave us 14 great years. I have never known a kinder dog, providing you were on his side. He was protective as well.

Our alarm for the UPS and Fed Ex truck is gone.

I don’t know if all dogs go to heaven or not, as the story suggests. This one did.

Speaking the rights.

Danny Johnson