TERRY'S RETURN

It became the routine to meet with Hank to meet with us the night after a show, on Wednesday night and he would outline what he wanted us to perform the following Tuesday show. Wednesday weren’t busy back then, I don’t even think it was dollar night yet. After my solo bomb, which everyone loved, Hank got it in his head that I was funny. The next week he had decided to do a country western theme show. Rodger was the perfect Barbara Mandrell, Sammy grabbed onto Dolly Parton, Casper did something chic-country chic. Kenny Alton couldn’t do the show; he was going to be on vacation. Oh my God! I had never done a show without Kenny Alton. I was hoping to get the week off. Rodger had wanted to do the Mandrell Sisters, but without Alton the idea fell flat. Hank had decided that I would be Minnie Pearl. Minnie who? She was a country western performer who sang a song called “Giggie- up Go.” Rodger suggested I just dress up as her and do another country song. Rodger always had our backs. Minnie Pearl also did Spic and Span commercials, Hank thought it would be funny to add -ish to the box and have Spic and Span-ish.
The one thing about doing comedy is that it won’t work if it’s not your comedy. I couldn’t be funny doing someone else’s jokes. Rodger had chosen the song “I’m just a Girl Who Can’t Say No” from Oklahoma for me to do. Talk about humiliation. Rodger also wanted me to put a hot dog between my legs and release it during the number. I didn’t get the humor, neither did the audience, nor did they get the -ish and I bombed.
It must have been something in the wind, like when Dorothy is in the tornado on her way to OZ and the wicked witch appears, because all of a sudden I got a call from Terry Sinclair. The Shore people were jealous of him and he was coming home. I told him I knew of a laundry mat that was open 24 hours that he could live in- a dig for the indignity that I had to endure. (Plus I knew he wanted something from me and when someone wants something from you it’s your opportunity to be a little cocky.) He laughed off the comment and informed me that he had a place to stay. He was going to live with this girl Jayne and her family down the street from the bar. “How great for me, I will be at the bar every night and of course you can visit and stay with us.” Jayne and her mom and grandmother were so friendly and nice. They always provided a place to hang and just let loose and were so supportive in a time when people didn’t support gay. Keep in mind the times here. News reports are reporting that gays have the killer disease and no one is safe.
I knew with the arrival of Terry the shows would not be the same. Terry had a Killer attitude and usually destroyed things he couldn’t have. But for the time being we were still enjoying the summer as stars. After the country bomb show, came the 80’s show and Rodgers son, Tyson.
Tyson was 9 years old and the first kid that we were exposed to that understood the life style. Actually I think he could have taught us some words. Casper and Sammy befriended Tyson and took him to Chuck E. Cheese while we, (Rodger, Alton and I) rehearsed; I think it was more for them than the kid. When they returned from dinner Tyson was supposed to stay in Chris’ room while we got ready. That lasted an hour all of a sudden Tyson wan into all Rodgers drag stuff. Never in my life did I think I would ever hear the sentence “Tyson put daddy’s falsies down!” or “Tyson daddy’s lipstick is not a crayon.” I heard he got married and was well adjusted, but boy back then I though the kid would spend his life on a shrinks couch.
The eighties night show had us doing strange things. Remember it was the eighties so we were doing modern songs. We had solo’s Rodger dressed as a CAT from “CATS”, Casper introduced disco and performed “High Energy”, Sammy stayed with Cher, David Ryan did Boy George, Alton did Joan Jett and I did Rod Steward. (Yes I dyed my hair copper for this show.) Terry showed up the night of the show with a drag bag and begged Hank to let him do Tina Turner.
Example of Terry, my friend; I am standing backstage waiting to go on in my black spandex pants and leopard print cut off shirt with my blonde hair teased up. Terry comes up to me just before I go out to perform and says, “Darling, who are you supposed to be?” “Rod Steward” I answer nervously. “Oh- I guess if you squint you look a little like him” and pushed me out of the way of the mirror. I guess I could have been hurt if it wasn’t for the fact that he had just told Alton, who was fixing his make-up “Darling allow me mirror space, it’s not like it is going to help your performance. I’ve heard stories about you.”
Kenny Alton still hadn’t grew comfortable on stage, he loved dressing up, but did not want to be on stage learning the songs Hank wanted us to learn. I was the opposite I HATED the dressing up, but had a natural talent on stage. I used to watch all those MGM musicals and the stage gave me the chance to live out all those songs. It was all a harmless fantasy, until you start hurting each other.
Rodger, Alton and I had that bond and supported each. Our friendship and dinners and rehearsals were just excuses for us to grow as friends. Things were about to change, and our friendship was to be put to the test.
Till tomorrow, be kind