In the fall of 1988 , Nineteen year old James Belfold had been a extremely shy child as well as a teen. The last few years of Senior High he developed enough courage to join some friends in a music group as their lead vocalist and guitarist. James and his buddies had a blast performing at local Schools, Music Festivals, Beach Gatherings and even some Weddings. Around this time ,through all this attention and local fame he began to gain enough confidence to approach and speak to girls. At one show at Kalamalka Beach in Vernon B.C. he passed by a lady who struck up a conversation with him. She asked him if he would like to sit and they had a very entertaining and polite visit. He continued to perform that night and after the show they proceeded to talk. She introduce herself as Melanie, and explained she was from Enderby B.C. Just north of Vernon and she really enjoyed the Band's music and sound, Particulary his voice. He then explained that they would be performing at the Falkland Hotel the following weekend which is a neighboring town west of Enderby. They met that weekend and they had hit off once again. Melanie then gave James her home number and James indeed gave her his, Despite warnings from his buddies in the Band that it was not a wise choice, But he felt Melanie was just a bubbly outgoing woman that was indeed harmless, through their conversations she was nine years older which was fine. As a few months pressed on, she was always at the shows and always so supportive, But James's friends were getting alarmed at every break she was backstage, Not really a nuisance, but constantly "there". The following weekend James and his band were performing at the Packinghouse Pub in Kelowna when he recieved a phone call from Melanie if he would join her for a coffee just before the show, he kindly obliged her and they met for an hour. That night the performance went on and James and his Band recieved glowing reviews in Kelowna's two local newspapers. This impressed Melanie so much she began to bring family members as well as some friends to the shows. She also began secretly telling some of them that James and her were an item. He did like her but unfortuntely he was not attracted to her in any other way. Two weekend's later the Band performed at club called Night Moves in Penticton B.C . On this occasion Melanie was not there, A young lady by the name of Shelly had been in the audience and enjoyed the show, she was a fan of all music any format, But particulary enjoyed what James and his band were performing which ranged from Blues, Country, Country Rock. James was so taken by her charm, looks and knowledge of music he asked her to have dinner with him at the Plazza Motel in Penticton the following night because they were perfoming another show, she willingly accepted. The dining room there was not fancy but it was far from cheap. James not really knowing what to do asked his drummer Mark what indeed to dine with, Mark suggested Merlot a popular red wine, A wonderful taste and not too expensive, When Shelly arrived they chatted, dined, laughed and shared ideas and thoughts of music and life in general. They decided to keep in contact and continue seeing each other. This went on for two months , James and the guys in the band wanted to take some time off, he would keep in contact with Melanie, But never brought up Shelly, thinking that he and Melanie were friends, but not according to her. After the two months the band was scheduled to perform at the Parrot's Perch, a small club in Summerland B.C. just nine miles north of Penticton. On arrival while the band was setting up to perform ,both Melanie and Shelly arrived, Some of the same audience members were at the club and noticed James and Shelly being very friendly with one another and had seen them together at the Restaurant a few months ago, James then discovered how some people have amazing memories when they want to. In a matter of minuets, Melanie overheard the conversations and told Shelly that James was " Her Man", before the show or even James imagined, a new "show" was in progress, With Melanie screaming " That all she got was a coffee,, why did Shelly get a glass of Merlot", It would take the owner as well as the bartender and waitress to contain her and have her removed from the club. So much for the romance that James invisioned with Shelly, That expierence had frighten her so bad she moved on. Six months later James met his true love Carol and their love blossomed, but he still thought of both Melanie and Shelly from time to time, Some years later, he would write that whole expierence down with a tune called " A Song For Melanie" But poor James was sworn off Merlot for good!!
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The Little Black Book
In September of 1968 Mr. And Mrs Harry Kolochuck made a trip to Regina from Spalding Saskatchewan, This trip was indeed a special one , with the joyous news they were to adopt a five month year old boy. To celebrate they brought along Mr. Kolochuck's older brother Alex and wife Vivian as well. Four years previous Mrs. Nettie Kolochuck had been informed she could not have children of her own, After having a horrible miscarriage of birth, and tragedy of Harry's younger brother being killed in a work related accident, The adoption was wonderful news. A happy baby they named Darrell. From the beginning he bounced when he heard music on the radio, record player as well as the television. Three years later in May of 1971, They adopted a daughter from Prince Albert Saskatchewan, That they named Lynn, That Christmas, Darrell's grandmother on his Mom's side of the family, gave him a gift which was a Little Black Book. It was like a journal, to mark down important events and wishes and it would bring him good luck. As time grew on he indeed followed this, But he struggled in school with awkwardness , some weight problems, and at times a target for intimidation, He would go back to the Little Black Book as a prayer and would journal, anguish, dreams ,hopes and fears, that would hopefully disappear . In 1979, His father would have to leave the rural farm outside of Spalding, due to allergies and move to Saskatoon Saskatchewan. Darrell welcomed this, That a change needed to occur , They planned on moving to Kamloops British Columbia, But real estate was not affordable , Darrell's father made a point, That's where they were moving to in four years. In Saskatoon , Life was better, still he struggled with studies in school and some taunts were indeed still the same, He would continue to write in the Little Black Book, But no great luck was yet to happen. But Darrell had been blessed with a voice that was a clear tenor, In his mother's words a gift. Sing or speak, he shone bright as any star. In the summer of 1983, His father's dream became a reality and they moved to Kamloops British Columbia. Finally luck bestowed on Darrell , He developed lifelong friendships, school improved somewhat, and he performed with some very talented musicians. After grade twelve graduation he worked restaurants and retail and decided to pursue a career in broadcasting, Four years of a career that was doomed. Times had changed due to satellite and internet, There was no future of moving forward. He was really hoping his parents could be proud and one day work for CBC Radio. But Darrell made a major error he quit journaling in the Little Black Book which brought grief. Bad luck soon followed, A series of bad relationships, Personal and professional, addiction and not suitable job choices. Darrell was employed at a casino and later at a lumber plant that paid a handsome wage, But inside he felt his life was empty . Darrell felt as a failure, In the midst of all this, his father had passed away. Darrell drifted for some time not knowing where his life was going or ending, But then a light bulb had struck in his stubborn head and he went back to the Little Black Book and began to write again. About a year and half later, A friend Keith, a former musician had called and asked him to perform and add vocals on tracks that were going to be produced on a CD locally. They produced three hundred copies and it sold, Slowly but surely. Darrell would start to write some songs. It was then, another friend, Fred from the broadcasting years had called, They would meet and collaborate on some material. Both having a talent for lyrics as well as music of any genre, Then to Darrell's surprise some royalty payments were issued to Fred and himself. Inspired to write more, His friend Keith produced a new CD. With some new wonderful luck his confidence soared, His live performances were breathtaking, The response from the audience was fantastic, Even some standing ovations. Then one day while Darrell was walking his pet dog. He stopped at a Shoppers Drug Mart by his residence and used the numbers of his birthdate and his father's as well, As fate would play out a kind hand, Darrell won the 649 draw of 4.5 million dollars. The words of his late grandmother's would repeat in his stubborn head, the Little Black Book would bring luck, Eventually.
By Glen Sobchyshyn3 years ago in Families
Must Visit Places For Music Fan In USA
Music plays an important role in our lives. Listening to music and playing music are both important in our lives for us to feel good. Whether we are listening to music or playing an instrument ourselves, the power of music is undeniable. It has the ability to evoke emotions, bring people together, and create lasting memories. For music fans in the United States, there are several must-visit places that offer a unique and immersive experience. Let's create unforgettable memories in beautiful places.
By Richard Hovan6 days ago in Confessions
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