Sirius XM has had DMB radio for about a year straight now. That channel is rarely changed in my Wrangler. What I have come to appreciate most about it is they play so many live recordings from past shows. Recently I noticed there has been more airing of the songs performed from the 8/19/2008 show in Los Angeles. That is the day LeRoi died as well as the exact city he died in that day. They opened with Bartender, a song I have asked my friends to some day play at my own funeral. When I hear it on the radio from that show, I often try to wrap my head around how hard it was for them to go on and carry on with that show! I have lost my own 17 year old sister unexpectedly. I have lost friends who are like family. I can’t imagine how they began to do it with that pain, that shock and those heavy hearts. As I have thought about it these last few months, I think back on when my own baby sister died. I was 20 at the time and she was only 17 when she was killed in a car accident. I gave her eulogy at her funeral in church in front of about 500 people. It still amazes me I did it let alone in my state of mind and heart. Something I am most proud of in my life. What did I draw my strength from?? It was her! I looked at her casket there in front of the alter slightly to the left of me where I stood in front of everyone . I looked to her to get me through. It was my love for her. My final way to say good-bye to her, to show her one last time I loved her. That is what got me through. I imagine that is how Dave, Carter and the rest of the guys got through that show. Their love for LeRoi. I can’t imagine LeRoi would’ve been pleased had the guys not “gone on with the show!” I found this statement in relation to that night.
As we sat this afternoon contemplating the loss of our brother, we wondered how we could possibly do a show today. Dave put it into perspective stating, "There's no place I'd rather be than here with you guys right now." We cherish special memories of our lost friend. Tonight, Dave told a story about LeRoi at a bar in Virginia where the cash register was near the stage and LeRoi leaned on the register because "standing had become a chore". Roi proceeded to play the most beautiful version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Dave said, "that was the day I fell in love with him. And I'm still in love with him." It's safe to say we all were in love with him. "It's always easier to leave, than to be left." -DM
Hearing that show now , I feel they played their hearts out. LeRoi’s own farewell. I am sure he was looking down proud as hell of them boys.
