A Friend From The Road Life
In my journal entry titled “Yesterday’s Tomorrow,” I shared a photo of the ‘Prairie Fire’ country music band I sang in with my brother before moving to Nashville. Today, I’m sharing another blast from the past captured in the photo above—from my time on the road singing with the band that became known as FUEL. I hope this blog will help an important cause for a special person also pictured in this photo—his name is Jody Abbott.
In my early 20’s, I toured for a few years with a band called “Real Too Real.” The band later became known as FUEL on Sony BMG and Epic Records after I left the road life. We played Pop and Rock cover music traveling around the country and outside the US. For me, it was a time of discovering more of the world, learning who I was and who I aspired to be, and growing into the courage I would need to later move to Nashville to write songs. I have so many great memories of road life with these guys who were like my brothers, including a lot of fun antics on stage by the drummer and band leader (pictured standing next to me in the purple shirt), Jody Abbott. Jody always had a great sense of humor, a positive attitude about life, and a consistently kind heart. I remember him sharing in conversation one day that a genetic disease ran in his family, one that he hoped would never appear in his future.
Unfortunately, it did. Huntingtons Disease causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates mental and physical abilities and has no cure. As further described in the GoFundMe campaign currently organized by Jody’s family and friends, “Imagine having ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s – simultaneously – which includes progressive motor dysfunction, behavior disturbances and cognitive decline. Simply put, it’s a nightmare for both the person and the family.”
It is heartbreaking to read what my old friend Jody, and his family, are now going through. If Jody’s story stirs your heart, would you join me in giving to this campaign to help him and his loved ones? Every little bit of support adds up when people come together to give. Click on the link below for more information about financial needs for Jody’s caretaking.
Jody and family, you are in my prayers!
Link to support: GoFundMe for Jody Abbott
