It always amazes me when I hear stories about gospel singers that have been in some of the worst situations possible, yet they managed to sacrifice and go above and beyond the call of duty to do what they do. I can remember J.D. Sumner and some of the other pioneers of this industry refering to the real troopers as died in the wool "quartet men".
Mike has shared some stories with me from his days with Gold City that were pretty bad. You have to understand that Mike and me are pretty much the same when it comes to throwing up. When I'm that sick, somebody better fill in for me or reshedule the concert because when things are coming out where they went in, I'm about to die! Mike told me that one night when he was on stage, he literally would run behind the stage curtains and throw up in a bucket between songs. Obviously, Mike is more dedicated than I am.
I can remember singing at Merimac Caverns with a group in the early 90's and that night on the bus, parked in the middle of the parking lot, miles from anything or anywhere with a bathroom, food poisoning from the burger joint inside hit me at about 3 A.M. I went running off the bus, only to find miles and miles of parking lot. It was bad for me, and whoever parked in that section the next day I can assure you! Now, I don't know if this is age or wisdom talking, but if I'm ever that sick again....I'm going home. Either to heaven or back to Nashville.
However, I want you to know that the same dedication and drive that Mike and I posessed in our younger days is still alive and well and riding on the LeFevre bus. Not too long ago, we were singing somewhere in Virginia. That afternoon, we ate at Ruby Tuesday's and because there was an authentic Mexican joint across the street from the church, a few of the guys decided to run over and eat right before the concert. We went on and did our first set. A few more artists sang and everyone took about a 15 minute intermission. During the break, one of our guys (whose name I shall never reveal) disappeared. Finally we found him on the bus, stretched out on the front sofa sick as a dog. I don't remember the last time I ever saw anyone that sick. Those of you who travel know that the only thing worse than being that sick is being that sick so far from home, couped up on a 45 foot cubicle with 5 or 6 other guys.
Well, we finished the second set without him, tore down and got on the bus to leave, only to find him getting worse. He was in the bathroom of the bus. He poked his head out and told us that all of his clothes he had on were ruined and he needed a shower. As we pulled into a hotel down the road, he asked if we could hand him a white plastic hefty bag. You know, the cinch sack kind with the drawsting handles. You see, he didn't want to put on clean clothes and contaminate them with a virus or whatever had made him so sick, so he came up with a brilliant idea as to what he should wear from the bus to the hotel room. Keep in mind that it is storming, pouring down rain. What we all saw next is something that we'll never forget. He stepped out of the bathroom with nothing on except a white hefty bag with two holes cut out for his legs. The draw string isn't just for closing the bag, it can also be used as a belt. We all felt so sorry for him, we couldn't laugh.........until he stepped off of the bus. We haven't stopped laughing since.
So, the next time you come see us in person, just try to guess which one of us us is......HEFTY MAN, gospel music superhero!
David Staton
LeFevre Quartet
http://www.lefevrequartet.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 09/01/2007
| 
Category: LeFevre Qt
Comments: 2
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Oh, David, that is priceless!
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
I remember all-too-well the rainy, stormy, nasty weather in Martinsville, VA on January 1, 2007. Yep, I was there and I know the HEFTY MAN -- your identity remains safe with me!
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