Bozo Ballistics
By GrizzlyThroughout the 1980s, I was in a dance band of WCG members who played at all the Church dances, as well as a couple of outside gigs. It was a big band, full horn sections, piano, guitars, the works (I was the bassist). When we were on, it sounded great....but on some nights, especially the ones where some of the horn players had had a few too many drinks, it sounded like crap.
A pastor rank minister was the drummer (he was actually quite good) and the band leader. He was always shouting somebody down and throwing his weight around (literally! he was a pudgy fellow), controlling the band through intimidation and insult rather than because we wanted to please the guy.
I have a mile long list of strange behavior by this man at some dances ( we played at the Big Sandy grad ball in the early 80s ), but this one may take the cake.
We had finished a performance at a church dance (actually we would go out of state to play at WCG congregation's church dances), and were loading up the gear. The stage was almost empty, and I saw a microphone lying near the back of the stage. I grabbed it, and said "Mr. ___________, is this our mike, and should I put it in the sound case?". He looks up and shrieks "YOU IDIOT!!! You're about the 10th guy that's asked that stupid question!! That's the stage microphone for this hall, and you jerks can't figure it out without asking me!? PUT IT BACK!!! Do I have to think for you guys all the time? I'm sick of all you guys being so incompetent! Next guy that asks me about that mike is getting SUSPENDED! No wonder none of you guys are Deacons or Elders! And YOU Rick...you'll NEVER be a leader, get outta here, go back to your hotel room, your attitude is lousy!".
So I went to my room.....and punched a hole in the wall! In the decade or so that I still stayed in WCG after that, this man never once apologized for insulting me in public. But that's the WCG for ya!
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