Let’s talk about the weather! If you plan on going into a recording studio during a thunderstorm, don’t be surprised if the session has to be put on hold. Lightning and electrical equipment do not get along! I’m sure this tip didn’t shock {are puns allowed??) anyone out there as it is pretty much common sense, so let’s REALLY talk about the weather!
A friend to us all in Wichita Falls, and legendary guitarist, Mike O’Neill, moved from his hometown a few years ago to pursue retirement in what he calls “the redneck Riviera”. After many visits to the Texas Gulf Coast, Mike set up camp in a town that has now become the subject of many headlines as of late. That town is Rockport, Texas and is now known as being the epicenter of Hurricane Harvey.
As I sit in relative comfort in North Texas, writing this article, a large part of our gulf coast is being devastated by one of our country’s most brutal acts Mother Nature has ever presented us. While millions of our fellow citizens are being affected by this hurricane and our hearts and prayers go out to them, I’ve chosen to concentrate on Mike O’Neill since I have been in personal contact with him through out this storm.
There’s not a lot to the story yet because it’s on going as you read this, but I can let you know what I know as of now. Mike, at first, planned to ride out the storm for a couple of reasons. The first being for the adventure of it and the other because he was expecting the delivery of a vintage Fender Concert amplifier. The amp did not show up Thursday evening as planned and Harvey was quickly gaining strength, from a Category One storm to almost immediately a Category Three, and then a dreaded Category Four storm. Amplifier aside, Mike decided he and Julie should get on out of the area. Surely the delivery of the amp would be delayed and lives were on the line, so the time was right to pack up what they could. That’s what they did and they headed to his brother’s home in San Antonio. They made it safe and sound, but they must play the waiting game of being able to return to their home to assess the damage.
Our hearts and prayers go out to Mike and Julie, and once again, to all of the folks that are experiencing this life changing event. Right now, our good friend is safe, and that’s a bright light in this ever darkening story.
By the way, I did let Mike know that a vintage Fender Concert amp was spotted floating in the Gulf Of Mexico about 30 miles off the coast of Cuba. Ok! Just kidding. But I really did let him know he was loved very much up here in North Texas.
-Johnny Divine
