Yep! “This ain’t no cow town, Brubeck”. My friends warning about Miami echoed in my mind as I, a driver fresh from the Midwest surveyed the damage in the wreckage yard. Where Midwestern drivers would stop at a red light, in Miami, well let’s just say they have an orange light after the yellow. One driver totaled my vehicle on their orange light. I made it through my first day at the University of Miami, thanks to being dropped off by a kind tow truck driver. And even managed to survive my auditions earning bass bone in the Concert Jazz Band and Orchestra.
It took me about three to four months to save up the $500 for a Buick. It lasted a few weeks, and died on the side of the road as I was driving to Palm Beach to play for the “Singing Christmas Tree”. As I put my trombone case on top of my 1970’s Buick, I wondered how I was going to make it the rest of the 40 miles to the gig.
Seeing my trombone, a local bass trombone legend-Mark Gregory, happened to be passing by and gave me a lift to the airport to rent a car. It was then that I found out that you had to be 25 to rent a car in Miami. (WHAAAT???). Believe it or not, I took a Taxi to the gig, and made it only a little late to the rehearsal. The next day a friend drove me to the location my car broke down, and it had disappeared. Most likely on a boat to Haiti, the cop said.
It took me another three or four months to earn $700 bucks, (I learned my lesson-no more cheap cars for me!), and bought a 1980 Delta 88 Oldsmobile with a Chevy 350 engine in it, (yes, stock). That car meant even more to me than even my first one and it ran like a dream, even for several years after I sold it to my friend Luis. I do not consider myself much of a materialistic person, but I do have a definition of wealth-a running vehicle!
You might hear the inspiration of Terry Kath and James Pankow in this tune I wrote and sang. Yes the synth-horns are too loud! I’ll put the words so you know what I am singing.
Not sure how many blues/rock recordings are fronted by a horn player, much less a bass trombonist! I think it is safe to say that Van Morrison and Trombone Shorty are in no imminent danger.
Thought you might enjoy a tale from my youth, and an early muse-My Oldsmobile!
Lyrics
In My Olds, In My Oldsmobile, with the faded paint and rusty rims. Go now Olds! Go now Oldsmobile, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. Porsche’s & Beemer’s are going to scatter-from My Oldsmobile!
It’s not a Rolls. It’s not a Cadillac. I wouldn’t have no Mercedes Benz. It’s not a Mazda, or a Fiat. It’s an S.O.B. not Saab my friend. Part Chevy and Buick. Let’s get to it. In my, Oldsmobile.
If you have to drive a Honda, just stay outta my way. Got a hunk a US Steel, made the Detoit way. If oyu’re talking Japanese cars; to me hey don’t appeal. They just don’t have the funky groove, they just don’t have the feel of my Olds-my Oldsmobile!.
In My Olds, In My Oldsmobile, with the faded paint and rusty rims. Go now Olds! Go now Oldsmobile, I can’t wait to get behind the wheel. Porsche’s & Beemer’s are going to scatter-from My Oldsmobile!
“In My Oldsmobile”, Music and Lyrics c. 1989 David William Brubeck