Well, The Inevitable Has Happened

First of all, let me say that this picture of a Dole Whip Float has absolutely nothing to do with this post except that I had one yesterday at Disneyland, and it was yummy as hell (if hell were a creamy tropical drink of goodness.)

This story actually starts exactly a year ago today. I was at the NAMM show, as I am now, and was just wandering around getting autographs from any random people that did not have a line. I came across a band called Black Stone Cherry that was signing. I started talking with the drummer John Fred (curly haired one in the pictures and yes, John Fred is just his first name) and discovered that he was a Ludwig artist. My dad works for Conn-Selmer (Ludwig's parent company.) Anyway, next thing I know I have his e-mail address and cell number.

Flash forward to this summer/fall, John Fred and I have exchanged e-mails, phone calls, voice mails, etc. and FINALLY the band is coming to PA. Amanda L. and I go to see their concert in Allentown and hang out with John Fred in a pizza shop afterwards. I feel beyond cool because not only were we on the band's list for tickets, but we got to chill out afterwards. We're talking about the different people that we know at Ludwig, and John Fred tells me that one of them has left. The next day I'm on the phone with my dad and not thinking say "Why did Todd leave the company?" My dad asks how I know this and of course I answer "well, John Fred told me." A whole conversation ensued about who John Fred was and when I had seen him and the whole story about how we met. My dad was a little weirded out about the whole thing, but it passed.

Flash forward to now. It was only inevitable that my dad and John Fred would eventually cross paths since he's a Ludwig artist and my dad pretty much works for Ludwig. As you can see, John Fred is your typical rocker: long hair, earrings, crazy clothing. Last night at some Ludwig thing John Fred introduced himself to my dad (not knowing who he was). When my dad introduced himself back, John Fred kinda froze (according to all accounts) and my dad (in the fatherly way) said "I think you know my daughter." My dad comes back after the event and says "guess, who I ran into...John Fred." Then today, my mom met him at the convention. Luckily, John Fred is the sweetest guy ever and has a ridiculous accent which makes him adorable, but I still feel like there's going to be a "responsibility" lecture coming. That's going to be fun.