Donny McCaslin ft. Sun Kil Moon - The Opener Lyrics

I got off the plane at the Tampa airport and walked outside into the Florida sunshine
and I was met by a tall grungy red-headed promoter guy
and his shaved-headed friend of his who was ""along for the ride""

In my line a work a friend who is ""along for the ride"" means fan who wants to eavesdrop on my life
Over the years I found ways of blocking out the noise
I found ways to dodge to eschew to divert to avoid
for that ride to the hotel I pulled out a copy of Ring Magazine
and I started reading it with a serious intensity

Boxing was a subject that my instincts told me neither of them knew anything about
if you appear to be immersed in something people will leave you alone if they know nothing about the publication you appear to be immersed in reading

""Mark, so what are gonna do tonight when you get into you hotel? Would you like to join us for dinner?""

""Thanks but I'm going to try to find the Angel Manfredy fight on my hotel TV. It's on the TNT network.""

""Um, you're not actually in a hotel, It's more like a motel. but hey, you seem like you're really into boxing?""

""Yeah.""

When we arrived at the motel I asked what time soundcheck was the next day and then I said ""thank you for the ride and goodbye.""
and when they drove off the fan in the passenger seat looked upset and frustrated like he wanted to cry

I successfully watched the Manfredy fight in the thick carpeted room that smelled like air freshener and mold
The next day at soundcheck a jaded sound-guy was bringing the PA system into the bar
I asked, why doesn't this place have its own PA the place definitely has a big enough stage that could fit a 4-piece band?""

The place had flat screen TVs on 3 of the walls and a small PA system would have fit right in
I could picture cover bands playing in there while about 50 people hooted and hollered
and had a good time eatin' chicken wings and drinkin' Pabst Blue Ribbon or whatever it is that people in Florida like drinkin'

The guy who was along for the ride lingered around observing the soundcheck
while the jaded sound-guy was pushing the nobs and not having much luck with getting a good sound yet being poker-faced about it
when a thin guy who resembled a young Peter Murphy walked in with a guitar case. He was The Opener
I greeted him warmly but he was smug towards me and didn't say more than a few words if that.

I don't recall much from the show except that it was awful like awkward sex when you're having trouble keeping it up
Or whatever the case may be. You're just happy when it's over and it's finally done

I left the venue that I believe was named after The Credence Clearwater song Fortunate One
with two young women who were happy to take me back to my motel and while we drove along
one of them asked how I liked The Opener
I said ""ah I didn't watch to tell you the truth""
She said ""that's ok. He doesn't like you.""
I said ""that's interesting. you mean me personally or my music? and I wonder why?""
She said, ""I don't know that's just what he told us. He doesn't like you""

We closed the door behind us and the girls sat at the edge of my motel bed
the first words out of the chattiest one's mouth was ""Can we find some porn to watch?""
I'm not into porn, especially when it seems none is required

Me and two DTF rocker girls in a Tampa motel was good enough for me but hey there I was with a remote control in my hand trying to find some porn for us to watch
As I was searching for porn suddenly there was a *knock* on the door

I said
""who is it?""
they said
""the cops""

My heart was pounding and the girls got quiet really fast
I looked through the peep hole where 4 big rednecks with Cat hats standing outside.

""What's wrong?"" I asked
We're just kidding, they said we're not the cops. Those our are girlfriends in there with you.""

and I said
""Oh shit""

and I let the guys in
I asked them
""How did you guys find my address?""
they said
""The Opener gave it to us.""
and I said
""Oh my god, how'd he get it?""
""From a friend of the promoter. He said he picked you up at the airport and you were reading boxing magazine""
Then they hung out for an hour drinking their beers laughing and talking,
and then they all left