Calder 1973

Jeff and I were roommates for 2 semesters at a small college located in Macon, Georgia--Mercer University.  The year was 1969-1970.  There are almost too many events to recall!

Jeff always thrilled in the fact that I had been the lead singer in a rock band during high school years(we had both attended the same school). Belicve it or not, he referred to me as a "rebel" but I think it was a calling of the kettle black!  At the time he was more aligned with social standards than I was.  He would study while I would be out at the coffee house playing guitar and singing or hangin' out with questionable artistic types.  I think that later on Jeff developed a common like for the same people.

Jeff and I attended a mid week concert at the Chapel on campus in the Fall of 1969.  The Band that played was pretty good we agreed.  Turns out that it was the Allman Bros. Band.  It was a pre-release gig to their first album.

One evening, we both walked over to the house where the Allman Bros. were living in Macon.  We met and talked to a few of the band members, kinda hung out for a few hours.  When we left, I discovered that the Album I had brought with me to be autographed(but was to shy to ask)had been heisted and was gone--permanently.  Then there was the next concert held at Mercer,
starring the Allman Bros.  I had invited a few of the roadies over to 'our room' for a little pre-show activity.  I remember Jeff coming into the room and remarking at how 'smoky' things were and.............you can smell that stuff everywhere on the floor.

There are many more incidents, but for the lack of time I will halt at these few. One more of note, I wrote a song when I was in the band in high school--it was called 'Becky' named after the marvelous gal he married.  Funniest thing about that song--no where in the lyrics is the name Becky.  Go figure

Happy Birthday, Jeff!!  I hope these notes of mine stir some of that grey matter!!
Pat McCarthy