Estes Park played a pivotal role in my origin story. I was reminded of the Colorado mountain town's part in my unconventional career last week when a singing telegram customer enlisted me to play Grim Reaper for a fiftieth birthday there. Because I don't get booked there often, I couldn't resist telling her about my history with the place.
When I was fourteen, I attended a Methodist youth retreat in Estes called Up With Youth. An annual talent show was part of the event. One of that year's participants was a fellow fourteen year-old named Kent Lambert. Lambert sang an original song, accompanying himself on the piano. I had an epiphany of sorts during his performance. I’d been playing music since I was four or five. And I was an adept writer who had dabbled in poetry. Songwriting was basically fusing the two arts. Growing up in a small town, I had never personally known a songwriter before. But I had just witnessed someone my own age perform a tune he'd concocted himself. If he could do it, I rationalized, then I could too. And two years later, I followed in his footsteps, accompanying my rudimentary original song with acoustic guitar. I probably wasn't very good yet, but the thrill was palpable. Plus, I played a Nirvana song in a cabin and one girl said, “If we weren’t at a church camp right now, I’d sleep with you.”
After relaying this anecdote to the customer (minus the Nirvana part), I suggested that writing personalized lyrics would be a phenomenal addition to the planned set list. She was all about it. I utilized the intel she compiled to pen a spoof of The Grateful Dead's “Ripple” for the Deadhead I was about to serenade. And it absolutely killed – pun intended. The dinner party, seated at a balcony table which overlooked the lake, enjoyed the show so much that they invited me to sit down for the remainder of the meal. Later, I popped over to the Stephen King-inspiring Stanley Hotel for some Reaper selfies and a spontaneous bannister slide in front of a ghost tour group.
Sample parody song lyrics:
What were you wearing the first time you met her?
She'll tell you, a memory like an elephant
If you are her pal, you might have a tchotchke
Phoebe from Friends is basically her twin
She's the best wing gal, if there's someone you're into
She will nudge you indiscreetly towards them
'Cause you might be shy, but she's got you covered
Matchmaking is one of her many gifts
If there is a cake that's missing its frosting
It's likely Kris just might be the culprit
nightly snack attacks, take the shirt off of her back
But there's no chance of sharing her ice cream
Reaper Image: Michael Hystead