Moments and Enemies: The Mavericks

Last fall I read that Robert Reynolds wouldn't be touring with the Mavericks...I assumed it was because of his wife's illness. The clips I had seen of him playing guitar instead of bass in recent years always struck me somewhat off but you never know.... I just ran across the article, a couple of months old now, that he was actually fired from the Mavericks because of drug addiction. I was so saddened. It struck me so hard. I don't think we've seen Robert in twenty some years....although Ernie did run into at SXSW one year. He saw Ernie and gave him a big hug and said, "My brother!" because that is so Robert. Regardless of the time that has passed, I've always maintained a soft spot for him. He was sweet and tall and liked antiques and collecting....played the bass and thought my husband was wonderful. All things I like.

We were in attendance all four nights the first time the Mavericks played Chicago...in the bar of the Marriott on Michigan Avenue....drank champagne with them the third evening, because by that time we felt like old friends (! ah youth) and Raul had gotten married that afternoon. We saw them many other times....from clubs to big halls...I remember having to tipsily get a cab back to our car because we hadn't gotten off their tour bus at the right time...seeing an early version of BR5-49 at Robert's Western World with them one night....all so long ago. They were so young and handsome and well, like us. We even won the trip to Miami Beach that MCA gave away at the time of their first album. So long ago.

The news about Robert made me so sad. We are all our own worst enemies and addiction is a such a powerful force. I am just so very, very sorry to hear this.

Watch this video. Incredible interview and performance.  This was done at the same time we first saw them. So beautiful. Such a moment in time. Look at Robert and how beautiful he is.

How young.

from our trip to Miami Beach in 1994....thanks to the Mavericks....