Retirement Ain't Easy

As mentioned previously, my family moved away in June of 1981. My father was reassigned to Montgomery Alabama. I could’ve gone with them but the band was taking off, my girlfriend had just graduated from high school and things were going great with her (after all she would become my wife in 4 years) and I needed a few more classes to get my Associates Degree in Computer science from Central Texas College (CTC). I got a one room (literally one room with separate bathroom and small kitchen) apartment in Killeen off of highway 190 and Willow Springs Rd. I don’t think the complex is there anymore.

I had already completed a Certificate of Completion for Computer Operator that would allow me to find a job in the computer field but there were no computer operator jobs to be had in Killeen. So I continued with my job at the Army Air Force Exchange Services (AAFES) shoppette. I was promoted to warehouse manager, moving me from a night shit grunt to a 40 hour, Monday through Friday, day shift job. It was the perfect job, allowing for night practices and playing weekend gigs. It did affect my college courses. I had to take classes in the evening or Saturday mornings.

Second Chance 2.0 enjoyed playing the daytime gig at Ellison High School. We started booking gigs at various bars around the area. As mentioned before, we played the Crazy Horse Saloon for the first time in Fall 1980 and in 1981 we would play there a number of times throughout the year. It was the premier place to play for a rock band. Probably our biggest gig, besides EHS, was playing a lake “festival” show the summer of 1981.

I call it a festival because there were four bands scheduled to play on July 4th at a bar out at Lake Belton, Texas. The venue was the Crossroads Tavern and the festival was billed as a Rooftop Jam. The band lineup included Runnin’, Texas Rail Band, Second Chance and the headliner, Prater Zychek Project. I had never heard of any of these bands much less knew any of the members. I don’t recall how we got this gig either. I’m guessing Dennis and Steve hunted this one down.

Crossroads Tavern (not to be confused with the one located in Port Lavaca Texas where a massacre took place in 1981) was a dive bar. Small on the inside, like a double wide trailer, but the draw was that it was out at the lake. In order to have a festival, the bar had built a stage outside above the bar. This allowed bands to play on the rooftop while the audience was spread out in a field that sloped down toward the lake. I wish I had gotten more pictures. The pictures we have (included in this post) were taken by my girlfriend (future wife) I think. She doesn’t remember much of the gig except that it was packed with Grunts (military personnel).

Things I remember from the gig –

1. It was hot up on the roof.
2. Looking out over a good size audience.
3. We played pretty good though I don’t remember what we played but it had to have included Rush and Ted Nugent. Those were our staples.
4. During this time I was prone to wearing hats on the stage. I had a derby and a space helmet, both purchased from 6 Flags over Texas. It was was my shtick
5. After we played, I was approached by a G.I. who had watched us. He gushed over how good we sounded and how the Rush was perfect and how I sounded exactly like Geddy Lee. I didn’t know how to accept compliments like that and I was/am an introvert when it comes to social engagements. So I said thanks and moved on. I should’ve stayed and discussed more about the band and solidified a fan, but I didn’t.

Things I don’t remember from the gig:

1. I don’t remember watching the other two opening bands
2. I don’t remember setting up for the gig. I can’t remember what amp I had at the time but it looks like I was playing my brown wood Ibanez Les Paul.
3. I remember staying long enough just to see what Prater Zychek Project sounded like since they were the headliner. I Googled them for this posting but there was nothing directly related to that band name. However there was a Dave Zychek who gigged in Texas at the time and there was a David Prater, but they didn’t get together to work on things together until 1993. So, was this a precursor to that? Is Google missing information? Don’t know.

I found no information with regard to the Crossroads Tavern on Belton Lake. It’s like it didn’t exist. Second Chance would spend the rest of 1981 playing gigs at a number of local bars. Many I don’t recall their names. We were having a great time. I was enjoying the apartment living and hanging out at Steve’s parents practicing. I have many fond memories of this time of my life. 1982 would be a year of change for me.