So we met this guy...

So get this. Last night Heather and I were on our way back to Nolensville, TN (south of Nashville a couple of minutes) after speaking at a church up near Springfield, TN. We are on our drive and decide we'd like to get a pizza and a movie and have a quiet night after our earlier appointment.

We see the neighborhood Blockbuster, pull off of Nolensville Road into the parking lot and pull to a stop in one of the yellow outlined parking spots available to any compact car similar to our Chevy Cavalier. We're discussing something unimmportant as we remove ourselves from the car and approach the Blue Canopied and Yellow Lettered brick building.

Suddenly, in the midst of conversation, something, or someone catches my eye. Could it be?

Yes, it is. Here, in south Nashville, wearing the blue polo shirt uniform of any obscure Blockbuster employee, oblivious to the adoring fans about to freak out about discovering him in his home life, is ...

Mark Nicks, the most amazing drummer I have ever seen and the heart and soul of the band Cool Hand Luke.

Heather and I stop in disbelief. "Is it really him?" "No, it can't be." "Yes. Yes it is." "It's Mark the Drummer."

So, we pick out our movie. It's a new release. Good Night, and Good Luck. You've heard of it. George Clooney directed. Black and white film. About the Red Scare and McCarthyism. Great movie.

We walk up to the counter to check out. We time it just right, so we'll get to check out with Mark at the register. It's great timing. He never saw it coming.

Then, we start a conversation right there at his workplace. Heather and I don't want to be too distracting while he's at work, we just want to let him know who we are. But he is distracted. He says to me, "Sorry, I don't multitask well."

He doesn't multitask well?! He's a drummer! Aren't they the kings of multitasking?!

Anyway, he does remember us. We were at Mt. Vernon in that big group of people that talked with him afterwards about him getting married and us getting married. "What are you guys doing here?" "We're cross-cultural workers, cultivating support for our work." "Awesome."

So, he took our money, smiled, walked the movie to the door for us, like every Blockbuster employee does, handed us the movie and smiled again. He asked if we'd be around town much longer. No, unfortunately we won't. But we could tell he would love to hang out sometime if we were available. He was the same nice guy he always was after shows. Just a normal guy, making some bucks at the local Blockbuster.

And that was it. We said we'd see him at the next show. He said they'd be back in Mt. Vernon for sure and he'd see us there.

And that was it. Wow. This is the life. Living in Nashville. Running into rock stars. Does it get any better than this?

Later guys,
Matt