DORYDRIVE U.S.
After an all night drive from Morton, IL to Henderson, KY for an early morning interview and performance on ABC Channel 7, my phone rang while I was falling asleep at 11:30 am. The Queen of Rock herself, Diana Meltzer popped up on my caller id!
I met Diana in the Winter of 2013 with my band DORYDRIVE at a venue called Freakster’s Roadhouse. To me it seemed we had driven to the middle of nowhere, but we wanted to continue forming friendships with our tour-mates and decided to make the journey. Diana was dressed in the fashion Diana can only dress. She rocked an Ed Hardy trucker hat with matching sunglasses. At the time I had no idea who she was, but was quickly informed. Of course I knew who Creed, Evanescence, Finger Eleven, Drowning Pool, and 12 Stones were. DORYDRIVE was helping support a tour that had 12 Stones as a co/headliner and my elder teen years were saturated with Creed!
As the night went on DORYDRIVE decided to join in the fun and perform a couple of our acoustic songs. We enjoyed our interview with Freak and being bombarded with whiskey by the bar’s co/owner and renowned (Drinkerbell) Betsey. After our performance Diana grabbed my attention and asked me if I could sign our cd for her. I sat down beside her for a couple minutes as she began to tell me how much she enjoyed our music and that she felt I had star potential. I don’t take compliments well, and for someone of her stature to say something so powerful blew me away!
My next encounter with Diana took place last Saturday April 12, 2014, in the small town of Pontiac, IL. Diana had partnered with the previous owners of the club where DORYDRIVE met her, to open a grand music hall to harbor all touring musicians/”baby bands” as Diana likes to call us! She took me aside for a quick photo op and I was quickly on my way to perform. Diana stood dancing, while analyzing every step as she paid close attention to the entire band's performance.
After the performance I was honored to sit with her and have a few drinks talking about family, life and music. She asked to see a picture of my daughter. I immediately shared pictures of my daughter, wife and dogs! While attempting to click on a picture of my wife, I accidentally opened a video of me working on a song. Diana stopped me from closing the video and quickly took my phone. “That’s a hit my man!” She shouted!
Morning finally came and I was invited to have breakfast with Diana. She filled me with a wealth of knowledge that she has garnered over the years;stories I am so fortunate to know, and now feel a part of the history. I am proud and honored to have Diana in my life and that she is proudly representing DORYDRIVE.