Champion

“She’s just so talented, so beautiful, so kind, and has so much integrity. I’ve looked up to her and she’s taught me that you can overcome obstacles and work hard and become the person you want to be and achieve your dreams. Having her as  that example of what is possible has meant the world to me. She’s  the best singer in the world, I love her beautiful voice and her music speaks to me, but she’s far more than just a singer to me.” ~ L. Catalano

It has been a few days now since my last visit to Houston. The “high” from the excitement and happiness has begun to cool, but it has not completely diminished.

This blog post is about passion and the great things that can come from it. As is the passion in the quote, many of us are passionate about a lot of things or about people.

But as I reflect in my mind about the past weekend, my passion would lead me to a whole new understanding of what people have meant to me, and what I mean to others in return.

It is clear that I have a passion for the music of SIX MINUTE CENTURY. If you are a regular reader of this blog, and haven’t noticed that then you haven’t been paying that much attention!

I would have to say that I have become very fortunate to have met all of the people that I have met within the circles of the band. Both in their families and in their friends. And those relationships have definitely come a long way since my first show that I attended in April of 2011. I would not quite understand what that would mean until this past weekend.

I know that with each and every journey that I take in order to go see the band, I’m always feeling like the VIP. Of course, I naturally keep that opinion to myself as I would not want to come across as arrogant. Nor would I want anyone to think that I was selfish either. But honestly, it is how I made to feel.

I’ve gone through a lot of “behind the scenes” experiences with the band. And it was something that I didn’t beg or plead for. It simply was presented or given to me that I would have them. I cannot say as to what all I have been given, but sufficed to say that it blows me away as a simple “fan”.

And what I think has been incredible is that with each and every moment that I have gone through with the band and their families and what not, that I surprisingly found myself as “one of the family”…. the Centurion Family.

I was not aware of it until recently, but even the band members go out of their way to explain that whenever I come along to see them perform and the topic of conversation turns into “who I am” OR if I am being introduced by one of the band members or their wives, it is distinctly made clear about just how far I am coming to see the show. Or something to the effect of just how big of a fan I am of the band is almost always mentioned.

I had heard it a time or two, but I had not realized that it happens pretty much all of the time!! Even if I am not present at a show, the tale is told that I am one of their biggest fans and that I do so much for the band.

I have multiple copies of their CD. One of which is autographed. I made sure that I had photographs taken by the band. I have a nice collection of t-shirts, even if it is the same one. Again, one of them autographed. I talk about them at home to anyone that will listen. I even made a Facebook Fan Page for fans BY the fans.

I would absolutely believe that they are extremely appreciative of it all.

My favorite song, “Zero Hour”, has now been given to me in a sense. Each and every single time that SIX MINUTE CENTURY performs it live, they dedicate it to me as well as the members of the United States military as it deals with the war in the Middle East. Once the band started to realize how much I really love the song, from that point on… it has been dedicated to me. Even during live performances when I am unable to attend. Even lead guitarist, Don LaFon, wrote to me in a note “From now on, that is your song!”. (I wonder if one day he might allow me to hold his blue Ibanez guitar?)

Lead singer Chuck Williams said last Saturday night, “He comes a very long way every time to come see us and he loves the song a lot, so this goes to him and to the men and women in our military.”

But some where in the middle, I have made a transition from “fan of the band” to “friend of the band”. And it is a lot tighter than I had thought.

My first clue was when MRS. Froth had asked myself and her husband about how she looked prior to arriving to last Saturday’s show. I waited for Dr. Froth to speak first as he was the spouse. And I just piggy-backed his compliments as to not outshine his words. Because that would be bad juju.

Before I could concur with Dr. Froth, she turned around and claimed that he and I both were biased.

When I asked HOW I was biased, her response was “Because you are one of my best friends”, something that hit me that I never actually saw coming because I hadn’t really thought about it all that much. Nonetheless it touched my heart. I had to turn my face away just in case because I could feel the tears begin to build.

She and I have been friends prior to her getting married to Dr. Froth last November. She and I get along quite well. Except when I end up doing stupid shit and get myself grounded by her.

It is because of her, that I was introduced to SIX MINUTE CENTURY. And I think that she and I share the same passion for the band.

That coupled with how the band has treated me as far as introductions to newer people. New to me, that is. And the band and their families with their endless generosity, it becomes a perfect fit. And the key is reciprocity. With as much support as I have shown for the band and their music, they return in kind with their words and their actions of appreciation and generosity. And it just floors me because it wasn’t something that I had thought about or have been dwelling upon.

When I asked MRS. Froth why it was that she felt that way and how it has become that she has been so generous with me… a simple fan, her response was: “You have been a good friend to me, in spite of SMC, and that’s all I need.”

This is very true. I do not talk about the band 100% of the time with her. Between her and I, it has become a lasting friendship that no candle can be held against.

The same goes for Dr. Froth and lead singer, Chuck, and others within the band’s circles. I am able to talk to them any day of the week about anything… not just “When is the next show?”.

The new understand of what “I” mean to them, has come to the surface. The mutual love and respect for one another grows each time I see them. And you know, I could almost cry.

I feel like I AM the #1 fan in the world. I have been turned into the champion.

I am still the fan and yet I am the friend. I have traded in my “horns” for “hugs”. And to me that is AWESOME!!

I’m so much into the band, because I enjoy the music that much. Therefore, I definitely become a very loud mouthpiece and wave their banner.

The passion that burns inside all of us can definitely have its wonderful consequences. All of my experiences are living proof of it. Don’t be ashamed of being so supportive in what you believe in and what you are passionate about… whatever it is. Never let anyone stand in the way of what you enjoy. Life will have its moments of rewarding you in the end.