One More Pill

It was a truly wonderful evening in which even the losers were winners; the epitome of a win-win scenario.

To validate that assessment I simply look in the mirror.

I was technically a ‘loser’ in one of the 25 awards handed out at Thursday night’s terrific Scorpion Okanagan Music Awards show.

Based on voting by the general public I was fortunate enough to be one of three people nominated for the Humanitarian of the Year award along with Bob Bissillion and Teena Clipston.

When the drum roll (at least in my head) was done and the envelope opened it was my friend Teena that grabbed the hardware.

I was not surprised by the voting of the judges, especially acknowledging that the awards event was one organized by Teena for five years now.

Considering the tremendous success the event has become over the years, well, the proof is in the pudding.

Certainly I’d be lying to suggest there was not a slight twinge at the split second of the announced decision—in honesty everyone wants to win an award.

However, as trite as it may sound, I really was not greatly disappointed. I truly felt (and still feel) honoured to have simply been nominated.

Someone cared enough to nominate moi for such a meaningful award and that sincerely touches me.

I know the nominee was not mom because, well, she’s dead—and I never sent in my nomination form. Hmmm!

In reality more than one person had to have suggested my name because the top three nominees in each award were picked by the tally of votes by the public.

More than 1,000 people took part in the nominations.

Trophies and plaques are nice and suitable acknowledgements.

Awards handed out for such categories as ‘Humanitarian’ or ‘Citizen of the Year’ etc. serve as a physical validation of a positive mental action.

However, at the end of the day, friendship and fellowship are really the finest verifications that we are good, worthy people. I was to be reminded of that throughout the evening.

At the theatre prior to the concert numerous friends and even strangers congratulated me on being nominated—and during the evening’s intermission I again received a plethora of accolades and kind comments. I was a little taken back by it all.

It was during that intermission that the real meaning of the musician awards presented itself as the mingling in the community theatre foyer was a party in itself.

A melee of musicians, fans, and family gathered that night for what is now becoming a tradition for Okanagan musicians and music fans. It is a night where so many musicians from up and down the Valley celebrated together, often meeting one another for the first time.

It is a classic case of camaraderie.

As wonderful as the concert was the VIP after party held at the OK Corral was the cherry on top. Accompanied by the awesome talent of the Sleddogs, The YoungUns, Stabilo and others the who’s who of the music industry in the Valley played and partied and played some more until it was almost silly for even musicians. At last check everyone survived.

As I looked around the Community Theatre, and later the OK Corral’s full room, I realized just how truly fortunate and lucky I am in my life.

I was literally surrounded by close, wonderful companions, some of which are more like family to me. Jim LeGuilloux, Barry Mathers, Ken and Kathy Byrka, Derek Melanson, Rachel Matkin, John Adams, Scott Gamble, Eric Funk, Mike Donely, Sabrina Weeks, Ryan Donn, and other long time pals and/or new but special people in my life were together in one place.

As I stood at the back of the Corral near evening’s end I looked around the room and said to my amazing girlfriend Teresa: “I have to be one of the luckiest people in the world. There is a room full of incredible, warm, talented people here and so many of them are such good friends. ”

She looked at me, grinned her mischievous grin, and said. “Well, of course you are. I could have told you that. After all, I don’t make a habit of hanging out with ‘losers’ in life.”

I never managed to take home any hardware to stick on the mantle (that I do not have). But I did manage to pick up some special ‘soft wear’. A warm, soft, reassuring memory of what a ‘winner’ I am, and how I am truly blessed.

I wear that memory with a humble pride.

Producers & Stabilo (Brad, Chris, Teena and Jesse)