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Last Night with Albert Cummings. April 24, 2022
I wasn’t going to go. My friend and I always joke that we are the early bird crowd, but last night my friend Tammy had tickets to see this amazing artist and his band. I had heard of Albert but was not familiar with his music, despite my brother Colin being a blues musician and loving all that is blues, from BB King to Stevie Ray Vaughan. Albert’s playbill touted all the famous people he has worked and played with, and part of the description read “…with mesmerizing extended guitar jams, Cummings Fender Strat sings while he takes you on a twisting, turning blues roller coaster.” They weren't kidding, and I was not prepared to be blown away like that. It was amazing that only three members in this group were able to get such a big sound, and their interaction with one another was something to behold. Colin would say, “…what a pocket they were in…” Being “in the pocket” was his lingo for grooving together and making such amazing music by listening to one another and feeding off each other. They definitely had their groove on, and you could see their on-stage communication, the little looks and nods. All the years of being part of my brother's groupies, I was tuned in to things like that.
It was a magical night, but not just because of the music. The music made me feel alive, and it also made me think of my brother Colin. Colin passed away in 2018. He committed suicide, leaving all of us stunned, broken-hearted, and shaking our heads. I was very close to Colin. We shared a strong sibling bond, but it was more than that. We were able to understand each other and our emotions very well, and we trusted each other with those emotions. Colin was very troubled, and he was an alcoholic. But he was also extremely bright and talented, and he loved the blues. I am sure he was at the Bearsville Theater last night; I could feel his presence.
There was an intermission after the first set, and Albert came out to the bar area and worked the crowd. He shook hands, signed autographs, and mingled with everyone. It was very exciting, and I got caught up in it all. I was having such a good time, and I was surprised at how friendly Albert was. They were selling CDs that he was signing, and I wanted him to sign his new release, Ten. Tammy was talking to a handsome guy that she knew, and he was buying a CD also for Albert to sign. I was disappointed when they said they would only accept cash, and all I had was my debit card. Butch, Tammy’s friend, saw this and unbeknownst to me, he bought a CD for me and told Albert what to write on it. Butch was Tammy’s friend, but I was a stranger to him. He just felt compelled to do this for me.
At first, I was so shocked and did not know what to say. Eventually, I approached him to thank him, and we started a conversation. I told him about my brothers and their musical prowess, and he got a puzzled look on his face. He then asked for my name again. He was quiet for a minute, and then he said, Colin! “Do you know Colin?” I said yes, he was my brother. Butch said, ah yes I can see it in you, you look just like him. He then went on to explain that he worked with Colin and that he was very fond of him. He did not know that Colin had died and was visibly upset by this news. Tammy then piped up and told Butch that I had beat cancer last year and he said he had too! Another shared commonality. We then went back into the theater for the second set. We were not disappointed. Albert, Warren, and Scott ended the night wildly and left me shaking my head. As we departed and Tammy and I were saying our goodbyes, Butch came running up to us and hugged us both. When he hugged me, he said it was fate that brought us together, and he was meant to buy that CD for me. As he let go of our embrace, he said, “Take good care.” I truly hope that I see Butch again some time. I would love to have a friend who knew Colin. I think maybe he would like that too.
This evening was significant and special to me for many reasons. The years from 2018-2021 were the most challenging of my life, and at a time when I should have had some comfort and support. I had to leave a caretaking situation where I had been for the previous 20+ years, and although I had finally bought my own house, it was stressful. I moved in on the 6th of March, 2018, and my brother Colin died on March 17, 2018. Then, on the heels of the pandemic, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, and my partner of seven years betrayed and abandoned me in the middle of treatment with nary a goodbye. Also, during my treatment, my brother Stacey died from complications of Crohn’s disease. Stacey was a professional musician, and I was very close to him as well. I was lost and confused, so it was good for me to have a nice evening out. The event was at the Bearsville Theater, which was a place where both my brothers had played music with other talented local musicians. As the emotions flooded through me, I felt their presence. I feel Colin’s presence quite often, but this night was otherworldly. This evening was a sign for me to know that I am loved, and he hasn’t forgotten me, nor has Stacey. And in the midst of all the sadness and chaos, there is hope and love, and the Universe showed me that last night. I hope some day Butch will know that this simple act of kindness from a complete stranger meant the world to me.
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Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for sharing a beautifully human story. It reads like a personal essay or memoir vignette, a reflection on grief, serendipity, and the healing power of music. The prose is warm and conversational, but beneath that ease lies profound emotional weight. Here’s what stood out and what I’d suggest refining to elevate this piece even further:
What Worked:
-Authentic emotional voice: The tone is deeply personal and unfiltered, which makes it engaging. You invite the reader to walk through your emotional landscape, from grief to unexpected connection with complete sincerity. Your writing never tries to be “literary” for its own sake, and that honesty gives the piece power.
-Strong thematic tapestry: You seamlessly connect multiple emotional threads; grief over the loss of brothers (Colin and Stacey), the cathartic experience of live music, a stranger’s kindness and shared history, the feeling of being seen and remembered in a world that so often forgets; all layered without feeling forced.
-Organic structure: The story unfolds in a natural way; we move from resistance (“I wasn’t going to go”) to emotional release, then to a moment of spiritual connection that gives the story a meaningful arc. There’s a strong sense of place (Bearsville Theater) and presence (Colin), even in absence.
Suggestions for Revision:
-Clarify narrative focus: Right now, the piece oscillates between a concert review, a personal grief memoir, a serendipitous encounter and a tribute to brothers. Consider framing the story more clearly in the opening as a personal essay about healing through music and unexpected connection. That will help orient the reader more quickly. For example, "I wasn’t going to go to the show. Too much pain in too many songs. But that night at Bearsville, something - someone - called me there." This sets the emotional tone more directly.
-Break up paragraphs: Some are quite long and packed with several ideas/emotions at once. Smaller segments could help guide the reader gently. Especially in emotionally charged sections (like the recounting of 2018–2021), shorter paragraphs can create natural pauses and improve clarity.
-Deepen the Butch moment slightly: The scene with Butch is sweet, but it unfolds quickly. To maximize its impact, you could add more sensory detail: what was his tone, expression, demeanor when he mentioned Colin? Did his recognition bring comfort or deepen the ache? Was something felt beyond coincidence? Just a few lines of reflection could elevate this from “kindness of a stranger” to “encounter laced with grace.”
This piece carries the emotional truth of lived experience. It’s a tribute not just to brothers, but to the invisible threads that connect us; through music, memory, and shared humanity. It’s grounded, heartfelt, and healing.
With warmth,
Saffiya
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