Big C, little c

Hello folks, 

Welcome back to the Chuck Prophet Newsletter.

The other day someone on my team told me I’ve been a little tardy on the whole newsletter front. And I said, “Well, yeah… I’ve neglected it some. Maybe it’s because I don’t have anything to say.” And they said, “That’s never stopped you before, Chuck.” Like saying my name at the end is going to soften the blow or something.

Fair enough, but now I do have stuff to say. Let’s get right to it.

Although covid (or “The little c” as it shall heretofore be known) is still out there, I did beat the Big C. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma to be more exact. I had help. Like I said when I started down this road, there are certain advantages to living in the heart of the Money Belt. I got nothing but great care. After I completed the six month slog of a chemo cocktail treatment and had some tests, the Dr. said: “Your PET scan shows a complete metabolic response or CR. This is the best response we could have hoped for.”  

All aboard for funtime.

At first the news didn’t hit me like I thought it would. Intellectually I knew I should be celebrating. Instead I felt like a kid – like I was the center of attention at a party where everybody’s wearing those straw boater hats, a player piano is cranking out The Entertainer (You know the song. The theme from The Sting, innit?). And adults are up in my face, all, “Why that’s about the biggest ice cream sundae I’ve ever seen, young man. You must be very happy.” But then it turns out I’m the one child who isn’t crazy about ice cream… And it’s loud and kids are screaming and I just want to cry. And the adults keep telling me, “You must love ice cream!”

Sure, after getting the good news, part of me was ready to jump down on the carpet and start doing one-handed pushups. But another part of me… well…? I’ve felt like I’ve been ambushed by all this nonsense from the get-go.  And the whole ordeal. It can mess with your head. I’m a fighter. And without that fight? Where am I? A little lost, I guess. Doc tells me that’s kind of normal and that it will pass. It better, because like Sisyphus pushing that rock up the mountain, I’m gearing up to do battle with a new batch of songs in the studio. 

Getting schooled in Cumbia by the great Don Leady.

One thing I know: as afraid as I am of that hellhound on my trail catching up with me, I’m just as terrified if not more at the thought of being useless. So I’m grateful I can throw myself into playing. It’ll feel great to focus on it. Hard to explain what it is about playing. But, when those neurotransmitters kick in and everything starts moving in slow motion, it’s hard to remember what you were so worried about. I'm looking forward to touring again. All of it. Even when it sucks. There are worse things than being curled up like a pretzel on the backbench of the Econoline listening to Chuck Berry and reading Elmore Leonard. I love it. And I love you all. (Even you, Rynski!) And I look forward to seeing you. 

And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be doing it with than Stephie, James (playing as many guitars as we can pack into the overhead bins), Kevin T. on bass and often behind the wheel, Vicente on drums, singing high and turning it all into 4/4 time. Yep, The Mission Express.

The Missions Express six months ago at Luck Reunion. (photo by Daniel Strickland)

We’re all headed your way and we're doing our damnedest to take our folky, greasy, psychedelic ballroom rock & roll with a little this, a little that, and as much soul as we can bring onto the stage — both heartfelt and snotty — to the people. If that’s your thing, we’ve got you covered.  

Look, it’s been two years… or maybe six, since we’ve been in the UK and on the Continent. I’m not sure, maybe it was 11? (What’s my lucky number?) Well, those dates are coming, too. Either way, what is my point? Right now we have tour dates, including a gig on a very large boat, to announce. So, dig in. With both hands.

And like the Dude, I love being alive, man. And I’m upping the antibodies wherever and whenever I can. It’s the right thing to do.  

Onwards,

 -CP

PS: Again, it occurs to me that if you made it this far, you could be taking some kind of mild interest in the goings and comings of this great newsletter experiment. In which case: Why not become a paid subscriber today, if you’re not already? If not, you can always donate to an abortion fund or any gun violence prevention group. Or you can do none of the above and just carry on. We are happy to have you.