Last Night with Albert Cummings

Last Night with Albert Cummings. April 24, 2022

I wasn’t going to go. My friend and I always joke that we are the early bird crowd, but last night my friend Tammy had tickets to see this amazing artist and his band. I had heard of Albert but was not familiar with his music, despite my brother Colin being a blues musician and loving all that is blues, from BB King to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Albert’s playbill touted all the famous people he has worked and played with, and part of the description read “…with mesmerizing extended guitar jams, Cummings Fender Strat sings while he takes you on a twisting, turning blues roller coaster.” They weren't kidding, and I was not prepared to be blown away like that. It was amazing that only three members in this group were able to get such a big sound, and their interaction with one another was something to behold. Colin would say, “…what a pocket they were in…” Being “in the pocket” was his lingo for grooving together and making such amazing music by listening to one another and feeding off each other. They definitely had their groove on, and you could see their on-stage communication, the little looks and nods. All the years of being part of my brother's groupies, I was tuned in to things like that.

It was a magical night, but not just because of the music. The music made me feel alive, and it also made me think of my brother Colin. Colin passed away in 2018. He committed suicide, leaving all of us stunned, broken-hearted, and shaking our heads. I was very close to Colin. We shared a strong sibling bond, but it was more than that. We were able to understand each other and our emotions very well, and we trusted each other with those emotions. Colin was very troubled, and he was an alcoholic. But he was also extremely bright and talented, and he loved the blues. I am sure he was at the Bearsville Theater last night; I could feel his presence.

There was an intermission after the first set, and Albert came out to the bar area and worked the crowd. He shook hands, signed autographs, and mingled with everyone. It was very exciting, and I got caught up in it all. I was having such a good time, and I was surprised at how friendly Albert was. They were selling CDs that he was signing, and I wanted him to sign his new release, Ten. Tammy was talking to a handsome guy that she knew, and he was buying a CD also for Albert to sign. I was disappointed when they said they would only accept cash, and all I had was my debit card. Butch, Tammy’s friend, saw this and unbeknownst to me, he bought a CD for me and told Albert what to write on it. Butch was Tammy’s friend, but I was a stranger to him. He just felt compelled to do this for me.

At first, I was so shocked and did not know what to say. Eventually, I approached him to thank him, and we started a conversation. I told him about my brothers and their musical prowess, and he got a puzzled look on his face. He then asked for my name again. He was quiet for a minute, and then he said, Colin! “Do you know Colin?” I said yes, he was my brother. Butch said, ah yes I can see it in you, you look just like him. He then went on to explain that he worked with Colin and that he was very fond of him. He did not know that Colin had died and was visibly upset by this news. Tammy then piped up and told Butch that I had beat cancer last year and he said he had too! Another shared commonality. We then went back into the theater for the second set. We were not disappointed. Albert, Warren, and Scott ended the night wildly and left me shaking my head. As we departed and Tammy and I were saying our goodbyes, Butch came running up to us and hugged us both. When he hugged me, he said it was fate that brought us together, and he was meant to buy that CD for me. As he let go of our embrace, he said, “Take good care.” I truly hope that I see Butch again some time. I would love to have a friend who knew Colin. I think maybe he would like that too.

This evening was significant and special to me for many reasons. The years from 2018-2021 were the most challenging of my life, and at a time when I should have had some comfort and support. I had to leave a caretaking situation where I had been for the previous 20+ years, and although I had finally bought my own house, it was stressful. I moved in on the 6th of March, 2018, and my brother Colin died on March 17, 2018. Then, on the heels of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my partner of seven years betrayed and abandoned me in the middle of treatment with nary a goodbye. Also, during my treatment, my brother Stacey died from complications of Crohn’s disease. Stacey was a professional musician, and I was very close to him as well. I was lost and confused, so it was good for me to have a nice evening out. The event was at the Bearsville Theater, which was a place where both my brothers had played music with other talented local musicians. As the emotions flooded through me, I felt their presence. I feel Colin’s presence quite often, but this night was otherworldly. This evening was a sign for me to know that I am loved, and he hasn’t forgotten me, nor has Stacey. And in the midst of all the sadness and chaos, there is hope and love, and the Universe showed me that last night. I hope some day Butch will know that this simple act of kindness from a complete stranger meant the world to me.