Shinybass Journal Entry 06/12/25

 

The weight.

 

It seems like a lot of great stories start in the middle. For example, as much as we would like to say we were with a band from the start, most of us won’t hear a band’s music until their third record (of course we can argue about huge debut records, but typically there are some trunk recordings that come first). That band’s story has been brewing for some time, and you happened to get on the train after the hard work has been done, and somewhere in the middle. 

 

I haven’t dedicated a lot of space on this website to the passing of my wife. This journal was meant to be light and slightly Isekai, allowing you to leave your desk for a moment and be transported to my world of touring, insight and coffee (never in that order). No one wants to hear of more challenges when trying to be distracted from their own. 

 

But this story is different. She was different. Her force is like no other. She is strong, dedicated, and loving. In the same moment she showed these strengths, she could also feel unsure and weak, but you would never know. A fiercely loyal friend, she would stand up for all she believed in, and gave voice to those who could not speak strongly for themselves. I miss her, as does the world.

 

I have no strong segue into this next part, so here goes: This past week, our two sons performed with Jelly Roll on the Grand Ole Opry. I probably could have just typed that sentence for this entry and been done. It’s a pretty big deal. That, however, is the middle of the story. 

 

I am not a country guy. (Let the comments commence).  I was raised on every music except country. If you would have told me that one day I would be playing the Opry, I would have laughed. If you would have told me my kids will also perform on this special stage, I would have had you committed. 

 

I’ve been lucky enough to play the Grand Ole Opry a decent number of times with some great artists. (25 times? 30? I lost count.) When I first played the Opry, I bought a new shirt. When we were asked back a couple weeks later, I bought another new shirt. By the third time, I stopped buying new shirts. I was going to be broke. The Opry stage is hallowed ground, and playing the show both at the Ryman and the current home is pretty amazing. 

 

One of the acts I have rumbled the stage with at the Opry is Sister Hazel. I speak a lot about these boys because they have been a driving force in my life for 25 years. We have been very close and worked together on a lot of projects through the years. I sub for the bass player, I’ve shot and edited a gaggle of videos for them, even shot test episodes of a TV show with them. They have been mentors and friends to our kids since day 1, and that support continues to this day. 

 

Sister Hazel visited my wife in the ICU the day she passed away. The band arrived at 3 or so, and then had to get to the gig. She passed away about 90 minutes after they left. Sister Hazel’s show that evening: The Grand Ole Opry. Ken wrote her name on his arm and they dedicated their set to her, even having the crowd say her name. 

 

Fast forward a few months, and there was a tragic shooting at Antioch HS in Nashville. The music instructor at my boys’ elementary school came up with a beautifully uplifting idea to have the student body sing ‘I Am Not Okay’ by Jelly Roll and send the video to Antioch HS as a big, comforting show of solidarity. Jelly Roll attended Antioch High, so the package was perfect. After it was sent, the news caught wind of the kind gesture and ran a story about it. THAT story was sent to Jelly Roll, and wheels started turning. Jelly wanted to figure out how to perform this song with some of the kids from school. 

 

It seemed that all the stars aligned, and during CMA week AND the Opry’s 100th anniversary year, Jelly Roll and the Opry made it happen. I received a very open text ‘Hey, are your boys around Thursday night?’ Next thing I know, the boys are riding with 15 other classmates in 2 fancy Mercedes vans on their way to the Opry to rehearse and eat Chik-Fil-A before performing to a sold-out Opry venue. 

 

For those that will wonder: Jelly Roll was the epitome of kindness and compassion. He took time to take pics with each of the kids, give hugs, and talk with them. He made them feel comfortable in a potentially nerve-wracking experience. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I procured a pass to get backstage (parents weren’t allowed), and I had Ken from Sister Hazel in tow. He was in town for their CMA performance (so many dots to follow; try and keep up). Ken’s presence was a big boost for my boys and for me, just having someone who gets the ‘whole’ thing (music hang), plus has a connection with my wife and family. He was a big, walking, virtual hug the whole night. 

 

We saw the kids before the show, and they were ready. Backstage we met Jelly Roll’s liaison, and she couldn’t have been more accommodating and kind. I didn’t meet Jelly. That’s OK. This was the kids’ night. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ken lost his brother to cancer when they were still teenagers. After the trajectory of Sister Hazel went skyward from the iconic song ‘All For You’, Ken and the band started a charity called ‘Lyrics for Life’, which has raised millions of dollars for cancer research. The charity auctions items on which the songwriter or artist has written lyrics to one of their songs. The unique part: the item adorned with these lyrics can be anything. Past auction items have included a surfboard, underwear, posters and guitars, among hundreds of other items. 

 

Backstage at the Opry, Ken found a cardboard box. Yes, a simple box. He gave it to Jelly Roll’s assistant, and she assured him that she would get it signed for the auction. Ken was elated, and quietly confided to me ‘That’s going to raise a small fortune’, then we went to see the show. 

 

After what seemed like several days of waiting, the moment arrived, and the kids walked out to a huge round of applause. The kids proceeded to crush it. There’s video out there. Heck, I’ll link video here. By the end of the song, there was not a dry eye in the place. Seeing the crowd cry was too much for Henry. He was in tears at the end. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I kept it together. Being back at the Opry, I was in ‘show mode’. I know she was there as well. If she was next to be and there was a way to be a proud, beaming Mom and cry and the same time, she would have figured it out. I did lose it the next day when I watched video of the boys from the front of house perspective. I couldn’t have been more proud of all of these kids. We celebrated their achievement that evening with a late Taco Bell run. 

 

The surface vibe of the evening was to help uplift Antioch HS. The subplot in the story goes so much deeper for our Cook circle, may it be slightly broken (see what I did there, country fans?). In a strange way, all of theses musical spiderwebs coming together could bring more money for cancer research through Lyrics for Life. Maybe one day another family doesn’t have to endure what we have been through; what she’s been through. 

 

I KNOW parents weren’t allowed, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. ) Habitual rule bender here…

 

‘It’s not Okay, but we’re all gonna be alright…’

 

Information about Lyrics for Life