on vunerability...

Good People of the Internet, I have a question. What do you do when the person who eases your fears is petrified? I ask this because it is the situation I find myself in currently. Let me bring you up to speed.

This past Sunday morning, November 26, my father suffered from a ‘mild stroke’ as they say in the business. Personally, I’m from the school of thought that says no stroke is mild but then again my dad could be a lot worse off. He is okay and in good spirits. Nothing is physically disfigured. He has motion in all of his limbs. Here’s where the old Luther ends.

My dad is scared. He’s scared sh*tless. During my visit today, he broke down and wept openly. This thing has shaken him to the very core. Let’s talk about sobering… It is sobering to see my best friend, business, business partner, and no 1 fan (tied with mom) lying in a hospital bed with the strength of a 12 year old (if that). It is sobering to him struggle to read an item 2 feet in front of him. It’s heartbreaking to see a giant of a man brought to his knees in the blink of an eye. As I left the hospital today, I had tears in my eyes. When I got in the car, I started to cry like a little kid. I just want my daddy back. I just want him to have himself back…

After a stay in the hospital, he’ll be taken to a physical therapy clinic where he’s projected to spend about 2 weeks. We’re told that with work, he will regain 98% of his functionality. We hope and pray on that every second of every minute he’s down. But this therapy will take strength like no other. I struggle to find an individual with stronger character that my dad and he’ll need every ounce of it and then some. Here’s where you come in. Some of you may know my dad intimately; some may have never met him. Whatever your relationship, I ask that you pray for him. Pray that he has the physical strength to endure what lies ahead. Pray that he has the strength of character to persevere in the bleakest of hours. And when you need a break from praying for him, pray for my mom. She constantly assumes the role of the immovable rock; our current situation is no different. Pray that she has the strength to continue her course. Pray that she understands that it is okay let someone else be the rock for five minutes so she can rest her own weary soul.

That’s where we are right now. If his condition improves, dad could be headed to rehab by the end of the week.

To those of you that have already begun sending prayers up, those that have called with well wishes and words of encouragement, my family and I thank you. To those of you that have come by to check on him, thanks a lot. To the rest of you that are just learning about my father’s condition, thanks in advance for whatever support you provide. They say it takes a village to raise a child. I’m calling you, my village, to raise a man. A great man.

Thanks for Reading.
-Lucien Dowdell, son of Luther D. Dowdell

On Holiday Cheer...

Good People of the Internet, I’m writing to you post Thanksgiving 2006. It is my 22nd go at this holiday and I have to say I’m getting more and reclusive as I get older. Some of you might ask why. Out of the 22 Thanksgivings I've participated in, my family has played host for 21. As the years go by the guest list has increased dramatically. As a kid, when dinner was at my grandparents, the guest tally might reach 15 counting the 5 of us (before my little sister). By comparison, there might be 15 people sleeping at my parents’ house tonight, with another 15 or so coming for the grub. That's a lot of people. There is something to be said for a house coming alive with warmth and good vibes good spirited folk coming together.

This year I had the pleasure sharing turkey with my cousin and close friend. We'll call him Brian. He brought his girlfriend of a few years, Nicole. You can kinda tell they have that old school love. They modeled their actions after old school lovers. There's chivalry from him and that loving touch from her. I don't want to jinx them but I can see them lasting for a long while. Thanks for sharing that with me as it made my night.

While I’m giving thanks, there are a couple other things on the list. First of all is my family. The support I have received from them is nothing short of a miracle. Even in the most trying of times, they find a way to make things happen and for that I am eternally grateful.

Thanks to my friends for putting up with my silly ways and whims.
I look forward to more fun times and memories in the future.

Thanks to those that have loved and those that have allowed me to love. It's an important emotion and without you, I would have missed out.

Thanks to the most high for continually blessing me. Your grace and mercy are awesome and I have been witness to both.


Finally, thanks to you for reading.

-Truth, Strapping body armor in hopes of finding a few black Friday deals.

My Trip to Cuba Pt 2

Hello Sports Fans/ Good People of the Internet… Once again, I write to you from on top of the world. I’m on a flight back from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Since last we spoke, Much has transpired. I’ve visited the beach at Guantanamo, I’ve performed for soldiers both in a casual and in formal settings. I’ve grown as a person and as a player. Best of all, I’ve enlarged my family.

I dunno how many of them will read this, but I feel the need to say a little something about each on of my new friends.

Lisa- Thanks for hosting us. Your spirit made it that much easier for all of us to concentrate on the job we were there to do. And Just remember, whatever it is, it’s on the Barge…

Chris- Sage advice and unpredictable silliness. You were a great roommate and a blast on the bandstand. One day we’ll get through "I, Robot," I promise.

Venissa (Mary J Aguilara)- Your work ethic is inspiring. Your voice, incredible. Thanks for bringing that feminine energy to us mangy men folk. It was my pleasure to share the stage with you.

Rueben (Tyrese/ Baby Boy)- I took notes on that suave vibe you and your brother take everywhere you go. You were a glue holding Will together. I’m sure I speak for the entire band when I say that we appreciate it. The bond that you and your brother share is something really brought joy to my soul.

Josh (Joshua Tree)- You took the fall during the entire tour with the whole Ramona bit and you did so unbelievably gracefully. In addition to the laughs we had with you, you brought an incredible level of musicianship and professionalism to the band and for that I thank you.

Timmy (uncle timmy) - You rock and you are the rock. You’re not the most outspoken person in the band but your prescence was commanding when necessary. I look forward to hearing and working with you in the future. Sincerely, Roadmanager (that’s all one word on purpose.)

Tuck (Hassan/Pops) - You’re a trip. I think I might’ve lost two or three pounds just laughing at your jokes. When you pick up the guitar however, there was nothing to joke about. Your seasoned musicianship and guidance was a huge help to me. Thanks, Man

Will- What can I say about you, man? You’re the sugar honey iced tea. Everytime we play, you push me further, yet I play fewer and fewer notes. Despite my shortcomings and relative lack of experience, you had enough faith in me to make that first call. That meant a lot. Know that you’ll always have the low end when I’m around. Thank you, man.


We’re nearing our next destination of Jacksonville and I have very little battery at my disposal so I think I’ll use what’s left of it to say thanks both to my Cuban family and you for reading.

-Truth, Descending from 30,000 feet.
Bassist/Road Manager
The “Banana Rat” Tour
The Will Brock Band

My Trip to Cuba Pt 1

Good people of the internet, Fear not I have returned! I’m writing to you live from 30,000+ feet. I’m currently en route to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. “Cuba?” you say… That’s right on my way to pay Fidel a visit and maybe take my picture with a POW or two…

Actually I’m on a mini tour with the Will Brock Band. This trip has a special meaning to me. We’re performing for the service personnel at the Naval Base down there. It’s kind of cool to be able to use my art to bring a little bit of joy to cats doing work for us civilian folks. I’m not a fan of the war we are fighting, but I’m absolutely a fan of the men and women who go to work every to do fight it. So tomorrow night we tune up and get down for all my O.G.s in uniform.

Now that I’ve established what the heck is going on, let me tell a few choice moments so far. So as I mentioned, The promoter of this event is the US Military. US Military= US Government. You know how there are just a certain government things that just aren’t quite right? There are just some things that aren’t up to quite up to snuff because it’s government and not private industry? You know how you get off the plane and grab your bags and pile eight of your newest close friends in to a limo that breaks down before it pulls off from the terminal? That ever happen to you? No? Book a gig through Uncle Sam and get back to me. After our limo driver (who looks like he was on the hunting excursion with Dick Cheney... The beard on this guy was to die for.) got things together, and we head off, things calmed down. So we’re rolling along and limo guy is hacking up both lungs. I think he left one on the freeway. Rueben Brock (Will’s brother and trumpeteer) says “If the old man dies, I have dibs on the limo.” That statement, ladies and gentlemen, was the end of the tour, nobody in the limo was of any use after that. Things are just getting started and I have a feeling things are just going to get uglier.

Last night we stayed on a naval base. There were comfortable accommodations, queen size bed, reclining easy chair and TV. But where’s the internet access? I can’t imagine that the situation will be any better where I am going but one can only hope…

To their credit, I must say that US military does have this airline thing down packed. I was thinking we’d find ourselves kicking it on a C-130 Troop mover. You know the vibe, those jawns they show on the news with the tanks and jeeps rolling up into the nose of the dang things. Big ol’ army green camouflage son of a gun. Not so much. There was no air hangar, no army green septa bus plane, no mandatory oxygen masks. Not only is there a full fledged airport minutes from the Naval Base where we stayed, but there are flight attendants, nice leather seats (even a first class, but we weren’t cool enough to get that…) there’s even a name for the company, er detail (or whatever you military folks call it: Spirit Air. You can find them a spiritair.com, though you might need some sort of security clearance. There’s even a cheesy flight magazine to accompany the safety card and motion sickness containment receptacle!

Well I’ve been instructed by Captain bill that we’re about to land to and I’ll need to discontinue my use of this here electronic device. If find time to write again, I will.
Thanks for reading,
Truth, Flying the Military's finest...