Blues Man

May 8th marked the night of the Blues Music Awards. It would air at 8ish EST, 6pm Denver time or as we refer to here---antibiotic time. Noticing the time, I hooked up the antifungal and then went to work, registering for a free membership to XM so that we could stream the bluesville radio program through Craig's computer. Craig was pretty zonked out the majority of the day and when the time grew closer, he still wasn't putting two and two together very well. BUT, when I turned it on and brought the computer closer, he perked up (in the world of drugs, this means he sat up and looked at the screen intently). We began to listen. As the antifungal slowly dripped, blues artist after blues artist played a few songs and won awards. I busied myself by cleaning his closet and folding his clothes. Brother clearly hadn't folded his clothes in QUITE some time. Wonder why? ;0)

Quick diversion: It's interesting to see the fallout of cancer. Bills, laundry, groceries can easily be forgotten when something much more important---say, one's health--catapults to the forefront. Yet, bills still need paying, laundry still "needs a washin" and I am happy that Craig can benefit from my supreme organizational skills like Mom and Dad do when I visit. I usually "brag" in sarcasm because the family and I never take ourselves too seriously, but I'm still awaiting a parental confessional as to my remarkable ability to dispose of moldy bread and clean out pantries. Why they haven't named a star after me is beyond me. In any event, Mom can rest assured that Craig's refrigerator is clean, his closet organized, and laundry folded.

Getting back to the Blues: As I organized, Craig would remark on the artists and whether their sound was 'generic' or 'unique'. It was fun to listen to him and to hear his excitement--his critiques were meticulous and specific to the art. He's truly a bluesman through and through. When he said one guy was 'generic' (ouch), I agreed and noted that the sound was NOTHING like how Craig and Watermelon Slim would play. There's something deep in their souls, a true love for the harmonica, that comes out in their voices and instruments.

The rest of the world apparently caught on. Watermelon Slim and his band were nominated for 6 awards that night, and they'd win big with "Blues Album of the Year" and "Blues Band of the Year". This was, of course, wonderful for Watermelon Slim. But, being Craig's mentor and friend, it was a wonderful night for Craig, as well. He beemed at the prospect of his friend winning not only accolades but prized awards for a talent Craig had known intimately for some years now.

Slim, as he's called, taught Craig when Craig was first starting out. I believe Craig had only been playing for a few years when he caught wind of "Slim" and they've kept in touch ever since. In his own words, Watermelon slim would say the "student had outrun the professor". These are emails Watermelon Slim sent to a friend of Craig's when Slim first learned of Craig's current condition:

3/4/08

Dear Graham,

I appreciate your putting me in touch with Craig Lawler, who as you say is a terrific young man, and is my greatest student on the harp. He went to Jason Ricci awhile back, and met me and the band at a gig we do once in awhile at a little postage stamp town west of Vail. He showed me some of what Jason had shown him about overblowing, making a diatonic harp into a chromatic one. I couldn't play a note of it, and threw my good hat. the student had outrun the professor, and in a fraction of the time it took me to learn what I know about the instrument. But that's just what a brilliant fellow Craig is.

I will be playing a rare gig here in OKC tonight, and I will be dedicating it to him. We talked about getting him down to the BMA Awards ceremony May 8, where I'm nominated for a bunch of awards. If I have to I will fly him in myself. I have an extra ticket at my head table with his name on it, if his health permits.

Regards,

Watermelon Slim

3/20/08

Dear Graham,

I am in Denmark at the moment, and though I have his number, I do not have a telephone I can use to call him. I have already begun dedicating each gig I am doing this year to Craig, and the dedication on my record which will come out in June, No Paid Holidays, is to Craig. Please let him know this.

When I get back to the US (April 5, as planned right now) I will try to get an advance copy for him.

God bless us all, every one,

Slim            

3/22/08

Graham,

Here is the dedication to Craig which will appear on my next CD. I hope you will pass this on to him, with my love and God's blessing.

Watermelon Slim
*********************************

 This record is dedicated to Craig Lawler. A brilliant man, and the greatest harp student I ever had.

Craig Lawler has a great family, and thank God has never lacked for anything. One could wonder how he could have the blues. Well, before he ever had cancer he had hemophilia. Just living in the world of bumps and scrapes was a challenge and a danger to him. I've been writing songs for years dealing with my own confrontation, resolution and with my own mortality. If he'd not found me to learn the harp from, he'd have found some other way of expressing himself.

Craig, of Stillwater , Oklahoma , is simply one of the bravest men I have ever met.  He is an inspiration to me and the Workers. God bless him, and his family

----

Congratulations Watermelon Slim and the Workers!

~E