Wanna be a rock star? Local author does
A press release Clear Lake author Cindy Price:
There must be something about writers and rock music. Horror novelist Stephen King played in a band, as did humorist Dave Barry. For almost as long as there has been rock music, local writer Cindy Price has wanted to be a rock star.
Years ago I wrote in my humor column about creating my own virtual band and being the lead singer. I named the band Hydrazine, a type of rocket fuel, and I titled an imaginary CD Rock-It Fool.' I printed out a sign up sheet and actually got a lot of folks to join. This story is told again in my new book 'In My Humble Opinion.'"
But Hydrazine was an imaginary band and never got together to play, much less practice. Then Price heard about the Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp (www.rockcamp.com) that gives ordinary folks a chance to live like rock stars, even if they aren't real musicians, which Price isn't. I can't carry a tune to save my life," she laughed.
The problem with the fantasy rock camp, Price soon learned, was the price. It wasn't cheap to live like a rock star, even a pretend one. So three years ago I contacted one of the local radio stations to sponsor me as a writer going to rock camp, but that never materialized."
Price didn't give up on her rock star fantasy. When she came into a modest windfall earlier this year, she had two choices. I could be financially responsible in these hard times and spend the money fixing my shower and doing much needed work around my house, or I could blow it all on Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp. You only live once, so I went to rock camp."
It was an experience she'll never forget.
"My husband and I stayed at the Andaz boutique hotel on LA's Sunset Strip. Our room overlooked beautiful homes on Hollywood Hills which I was told included Paris Hilton's house. We were pampered, and yes, treated like rock stars."
That rock star treatment included hanging out with real rock stars Duff McKagan of Guns N Roses, Rudy Sarza of Quiet Riot, Rami Jaffee of the Foo Fighters, and about a dozen others. Price even sang with noted musician/producer Todd Rundgren, and her band recorded an original song at Capitol Records.
Her band's name? Well, it wasn't Hydrazine because my counselor Elliot Easton of The Cars thought it sounded like something you put on cold sores," she laughed. By democratic vote the band's name became Lincoln's Beard. That was suggested by our drummer. Coincidentally he was the only one with a beard. Go figure."
Another highlight of the rock fantasy was to sing with Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. He was so amazing," said Price. He told the rock campers that it wasn't about hitting all your notes it was about feeling and passion and getting that across to people. I took his words to heart and gave it my all when we finally went on stage."
Price's band was one of the camp bands to perform live to a sold-out audience at the famous Whisky A Go Go.
I think we were probably the third best band, although my husband says we were the second best. But I think he's biased," she grinned. It doesn't matter anyway. It was just a real rush to be performing on stage to an enthusiastic audience. I really was a rock star. I'm sure I'll be writing about this experience in my next book."
Price's book "In My Humble Opinion" is available at most on-line booksellers.
