Johnny Greer’s Blues - Part 21

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Things were good for a time. Honi and Johnny fell for each other hard and fast. By the time the next recording session at Delta Sounds rolled around, Johnny had packed up his things from the Rat Palace and moved in with Honi. At her insistence they split the rent, despite Johnny’s efforts to take on the whole amount.

The recording sessions were electric. The album was mostly covers with Johnny’s spin on them, but he had a couple of originals in there, “Rock of Blues” and “She Don’t Know”. The latter was more of a rock song than usual, but still had the blood of the Delta blues flowing through it.

After the last track was on tape, Bones told Johnny, “I don’t know what’s happening this time, Johnny. But there’s some powerful magic going on this time. If I were a betting man - and I am - I’d wager that you won’t be recording your next album down here with me. Try not to forget me.”

Bones was joking in that way people do when they want to admit something difficult without pushing too hard on the emotional buttons.

“Never, could, Bones,” Johnny said. “You’ve been like an uncle to me.”

“Your dad’s younger brother - much younger - I assume.”

The two men hugged before Johnny and Honi left to head home to sleep. They’d celebrate another time, but in those early morning hours they were tired and happy.

The second album did better than the first, and Johnny did another round of gigs. This time, the album had gotten some national radio play, and more money rolled in. The gigs were different this time around. A few more performance spaces and a few less bars. But, the biggest difference was that Johnny had made enough money to buy a van and could bring Honi and Goose with him.

The shows were good and the crowds were there for him.

Early in the tour, at a stop in St. Louis, Honi burst into their hotel room waving a copy of Billboard at Johnny, who had not fully woken up. “Check out number 47 on the soul singles, baby,” she said, slapping the copy down in front of him. He rubbed his eyes, and looked at the magazine. Right there at number 47 in black and white was Johnny’s name and the title, “She Don’t Know” in bold.

“Is this real?” Johnny asked.

Honi laughed and hugged him. “Unless you’re still asleep and dreaming, it is.”

They laughed as Johnny grabbed Honi and kissed her, just as the hotel room phone rang.

Johnny reluctantly broke apart from Honi and grabbed the phone.

“Mr. Greer,” the smoky voice on the other end of the line said. A lump formed in Johnny’s throat and he was barely able to squeak out a “Yes.”

“Please hold for Mr. Gold.”

Johnny struggled between fear and anger. What would Gold want this time? And did he have to do it now while Johnny was celebrating. Whatever Gold wanted, Johnny wouldn’t do it. Not now. He would make a stand.

“Johnny, how are you?” Gold asked when he got on the line a moment later.

“I’m good,” Johnny said, his voice cold and steady.

“Well, listen, don’t know if you’ve seen Billboard yet, but if you haven’t, you might want to check out the Soul singles chart.”

“I just saw it.”

“Good. Great! This is a big deal for you, Johnny. And I have the feeling 47 is not as high as this will go. I just wanted to call and congratulate you and let you know that you’ll be getting a bonus from the label. I don’t know how much yet. Depends on how high ‘She Don’t Know’ charts. But it’ll be a nice bump for you.”

“Okay. That’s good news,” Johnny said flatly, but he could feel his hand about to start shaking.

“Alright, kid. Good work! Enjoy the rest of the tour. I’m proud of you.”

“Thank you,” Johnny said, waiting for the shoe to drop.

Gold said goodbye and hung up.

Johnny set down the receiver, dumbfounded. There was no ask; no red envelope headed his way. Johnny was relieved, but still something nagged at him. He couldn’t accept that Gold didn’t want something.

The rest of the tour was a good time. The track was doing well, and getting a lot of airplay on the radio. The audiences more and more knew the band and Johnny’s songs. Johnny, Honi and Goose had fun on the road. Goose probably more than anyone, taking advantage of their success in a way that Johnny no longer wanted to. He and Honi skipped out on most of the partying relatively early and were glad to have each other for company.

They were happy.

By the time the tour ended, the track had peaked at number 31 on the Soul singles chart before starting to fall down and eventually off the list. It was a good run.

When they got back to Memphis, Johnny and Honi dropped Goose off at his apartment before heading home.

When they got inside, Honi gave Johnny a quick kiss. “It’s good to be home, isn’t it?” she asked.

“It’s even better to be home with you,” he responded.

She smiled and headed to the bedroom. “If I wasn’t so tired, that line would have gotten you somewhere.”

Johnny laughed as Honi headed to the bedroom, leaving the bags to be unpacked another day. Johnny started to go through the mail that he had dumped onto the kitchen table. Halfway through the stack, he found an envelope from Gold. It was a normal, white envelope, but Johnny was scared to open it. Inside was a check with a number on it that represented more money than Johnny had ever received. It didn’t make him rich, but it didn’t hurt.

The envelope also contained a letter from Gold. Johnny considered not reading it, but knew he had to.

Johnny,

Congratulations on the great success of your sophomore recording. You’ve hit the charts, and will do so again. I am working on your next recording deal and can assure you it will be with a label that is more befitting your new status.

I’ll be in touch soon, but for now just enjoy the success.

You and Honi deserve nothing less.

- Howard Gold

Johnny flipped the letter over. There was nothing on the back. Johnny set the letter down on the kitchen table and collapsed into a chair. In that moment, Johnny decided to let in a little bit of hope. Maybe the days of being asked to do errands was over, and because he was doing so well, Gold would want to keep him happy so they could both do well.

But, hope is fickle. It’ll support and sustain you right up until the moment that you get just a bit too comfortable. That’s when hope drives a dagger into your back and breaks your heart in the process.

About a month later, Johnny received news of an offer from a new, bigger label. The news came in a red envelope.

The next part will follow.

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