08.24.05
Grooving with Lucas
My favorite thing to do with Lucas was listen to music and sing. That may be the case for a lot of you out there, he had quite a passion for all types of music. Listening to and seeing good music was a passion that we shared, something we could connect on and keep in touch through. He was the first person I told about a new band that I had discovered. He was the person I wanted with me for a damn good show. He was hilarious about getting obsessed with some “new” band too. When he was up here in NYC last summer, all he would listen to was Otis Redding. Same album, over and over again. The summer before that, I went to see him in Auburn, and Rob and I weren’t in the door for two minutes before we had to watch the entire Ben Harper DVD, I think it was about Lucas’ 25th time that weekend. The summer before that, he was in our parent’s basement with The Band DVD that he absolutely would not let anyone walk into the room without watching, discussing, jamming and then rewatching. And somewhere in between all of his jam banding, I remember a period of time where the only thing I could hear in his car was “so fresh and so clean.” He was so funny that way.
He was up here this past April for his birthday and we went and saw MoFro at a pretty small venue. It was one of my favorite feelings, just to look over and nod at Lucas knowing that we were both thinking “yup, this guy is pretty damn good – let’s rock out.” Lucas wasn’t stingy with the hooping and hollering either. Man, anybody that went to that damn Courtyard 280 bar in Birmingham while that all black band (Lucas knew them all by name of course) was playing was witness to the endless encouragement Lucas would offer up to the singers. Jacob – I know you know what I’m talking about.
And then last, but certainly not least, the karaoke. I can’t believe I am admitting this to everyone, but I actually have a karaoke machine in my apartment! So, maybe Lucas just couldn’t help karaoking Strokin’ everywhere he went, it was just in his blood. I am so glad that I got to witness this well crafted gift of his at least once. I am sure Morgan will have more to say on this, he literally had the entire bar whoooping it up for him when he did that song. It was one of the funniest things I have seen. When he was up here last summer, one of our only times of just pure joy and being silly was doing karaoke in my apartment. Just the two us, and we laughed at each other until we were on the floor and couldn’t breathe. He must of done A Boy Named Sue 15 times in a row in one sitting, each time dead serious about keeping the voice low, getting better each time, and really yelling out the end.
Tarlie and Lucas, May 2005
Jacob Kirkland said,
August 30, 2005 at 5:02 pm
If you ever hung out with Lucas in Birmingham, you had to go to the Courtyard 280. Lucas loved that bar so much. He use to tell me stories about that place that had me laughing histerically. He was notorious for going to the Courtyard by himself and hustling some old folks on the pool table..
Tarlie, I could never forget that night he kept giving the band encouragement. Lucas was the only person up there dancing as Tarlie and I sipped on our drinks and just laughed at how goofy Lucas was acting. He kept talking to the band members and befriending each one of them. Before you knew it, there was 15-20 people dancing. Lucas always made sure you were entertained when he went out with you.
rdurden said,
August 31, 2005 at 8:54 am
At widespread concerts, he did this funny little dance called “the hippie playing basketball”, where he moved his body as if he were dribbling. He was so funny.
lane bailey said,
September 1, 2005 at 8:34 pm
When you mentioned The Band DVD, I was reminded how many times he would watch it. I know it had to be alot because the majority of the nights that Lucas and Rachel and I were hanging out he would pop that dvd in as if it was the first time he had seen it. He really did love music and know so much about it. I know now that when I hear certain bands or go to shows it will be somewhat of a bittersweet experience, as I am sure it will be for you and everyone who shared these wonderful experiences with him. It will most likely be a while until it is possible to even go see certain bands, but when the time does come I know that there will be these amazing memories of Lucas that will never ever fade and that is such a blessing to have.
JudiMom said,
September 2, 2005 at 9:17 am
As cheerleader sponsor at STJ, Harris football/soccer/basketball fan I am a pretty loud person at football games and other events. I can remember Chance getting so mad at me at a soccer game one time he yelled “Just SHUT UP MOM from the goalie box”. Of course, I never shut up. Lucas never complained that I was too loud but never encouraged me either……not sure how he felt when he could hear me across a football field.
His senior year, I think, he came and sat next to me at the spring STJ football game. Of course, I started as the guys came on the field and I would yell their name to try and get them each pumped up. I know they could hear me, cuz some of them would give a wave or something. Lucas did not yell with me but sat quitely beside me. After a while he said, “You know this is really what’s it is all about… the connection between the crowd and the team is the reason we play so hard… who would want to if there was no one here?” I said yeah…. they need to know we (the crowd) care.. we feed them their energy. I thought he finally understood my loudness at that point in time….. I’m glad he contiued to connect to those people who have the courage to perform in front of a crowd… it takes guts from them and support from us to make the “connection”.
So next time you see someone struggling to get the crowd involved…help them out with a big Lucas grin and yell. He will help you find the courage to make a fool of yourself.