An End of an Era
Song: Make Your Own Kind Of Music—Cass Elliot
The band joined us on the stage by plopping their bottoms onto the smooth black floor. Tonya sat next to me, Keith sat next to Darren, and Jesse and Mason sat on opposite ends from each other.
“That was a great show. Thanks for playing all of James’s favorites,” I said.
“Keith put the setlist in order, so thank him,” Jesse replied.
“Well, everything you did was incredible. I can’t believe we will have over three thousand dollars.”
“We wanted to thank you. You helped us put some things into perspective, Penny,” Mason added.
I didn’t do anything other than write a stupid letter, get a job at a store, and barely get by. I couldn’t imagine that I actually helped the famous Jesse Young and The Matches.
“How did I help you? I think I did more harm than good,” I admitted.
At the beginning of the summer, I didn’t know who I was.
I wasn’t sure what was right or wrong. I still didn’t know how to approach things when they turned from black and white to gray.
I didn’t know what to believe in. I knew I wanted to be nicer to people.
I wanted to remind everyone I loved that they were worthy because I never knew what someone was going through.
I planned to call my sister and grandma when I got home; they needed me, too.
“You helped me realize I have a problem and needed to return to my roots. We used to work so well as a band, and I lost that,” Jesse said as he twiddled his thumbs back and forth. Saying something out loud made it real, and I knew how grueling it could be.
“Everyone has faults,” Darren said, squeezing my hand. Squeezes were Darren and I’s secret language. We talked through the tiny pinches of our flesh. It was true. Everyone had their own issues and problems; sometimes, you just had to look closer to see them.
“So, what now?” Keith asked.
“Well, school starts soon for me, and my momma will get to go to beauty school, thanks to all of you,” I informed them.
“I have to head back to Moose Creek, but Tammy gave me a job at the Peach Pot to save money to come see you. She wants to spend more time with Paul, and I want to spend less time babysitting. These guys gave me a large chunk of cash from contributing to the song, so I will be back soon enough.” Darren grinned.
Regardless of Moose Creek not being my summer home anymore, Darren was. Wherever Darren was, I would be, and wherever I went, he went. Our hearts were intertwined like all the numerous parts of a song.
“I am retiring,” Jesse announced.
“Retiring? What do you mean you are retiring?” I asked.
“I need to step away from rock n’ roll for a while. I already talked to the band, and it’s a good time to take a break.”
“What about touring for your new single? You can’t give up,” I pleaded.
Jesse explained. “I’m not giving up, but something has to change.
I am going to deal with my depression and addiction head-on.
I can’t commit to this if I am on the road partying, meeting women, and having complete access to drugs.
I think I might go visit my parents instead.
I haven’t seen them in years, and they will let me crash on their couch for a while. ”
“Is that what you really want?”
“I have to do this. It’s not something I can ignore. I know it affects the band members, but if I continue down this path, I will hurt them more than if I leave to work on myself,” Jesse claimed.
“Yeah, I am going to get a normal job. Your mom’s dinner reminded me of when I worked at a restaurant when I was about your guys’ age. I love cooking. I am grateful for everything I have been given, but fame is more than I bargained for. It will be nice to finally have some peace,” Mason said.
“Yeah, unlike Mason, fame is for me. I love being on the road. A band that used to open for us asked if I could drum for them during their next tour. I probably won’t see you guys for a long time.
I hope everything starts looking up. Darren, if you ever need any tips for drumming let me know,” Keith added.
“This is it, then?” Darren asked.
“Not really. I think we will cross each other’s paths again,” I said, unruffled. If there was anything that James taught me, it was that love ran deeper than blood. We were a family now.
“Not to worry, I am going to be staying around. Jesse has volunteered to help me learn how to write lyrics. I think it’s time to start my own career,” Tonya said.
It was sad to hear that my favorite band was splitting apart.
I grew up listening to their songs with James, and a hole formed in my heart when I thought I wouldn’t hear a new tune from them again.
But it wasn’t about what I wanted. Sometimes, what was best was not what you wanted; it was what you needed.
Jesse needed this just like I required Darren, my friends, my dog Fawn, my momma, music, and the memories of James to survive.
Things would always change, but I could deal with it.
Harold Hayes peeked around the corner of the stage, revealing he had been listening to our conversation the entire time. “Would all of you go on the record about what happened this summer?”
I looked at the band, and my smile spread across the stage like fire.
****
ZIPPER
Jesse Young and The Matches Comeback and Retirement?
By: Harold Hayes Ft. Penny Hartley
Jesse Young and The Matches held a spectacular benefit concert in honor of James Hartley.
The concert was sponsored by The Peach Pot, a rustic store located in Moose Creek, and Butterfield’s local Grocery Outlet.
The concert raised over a whopping $3,000 for Hartley’s surviving family members, and Bret Beats and Darren Lawerence performed with Jesse Young and The Matches.
Bret Beats, a band that had previously intended to sue Jesse for using their sheet music, showed solidarity with the band by opening their concert in Butterfield. The band played covers of hit songs and signed over their rights of the hit single, “Pitiful Peaches” to the band and Ultimate Records.
Shortly after Bret’s performance, Jesse Young and The Matches took the crowd by storm.
Penny Hartley gave an inspiring speech about her stepdad, James, who recently passed away, and shocked the crowd with her emotional rawness, reminding everyone to be kind and check in with their loved ones.
The band performed their single for the first time live, increasing their fandom.
An inclusive interview with Jesse revealed that he did go to West-Brooke Rehabilitation Center, where he learned how to manage his anger and avoid substance abuse.
He “apologizes for any harm he has caused” and plans to refund tickets for anyone who attended his show in Portland.
He also revealed that he is taking a break from making music.
“I need time to get back to my roots and figure my life out outside of touring. I hope I can go back on the road one day, but for now, our old albums and songs are still available to purchase. I thank my fans for their support as I face this journey,” Jesse addressed the public.
Despite our previous beliefs, Jesse Young and The Matches have proven to be good musicians who make mistakes like the rest of us.
The End