Underemployed with time on my hands, I joined the Electric Woodshed in early '97 after a little rehearsal with Tim, Craig, and Dan in the basement of that house on Main Street. I met Sterling at the next practice and was immediately charmed by this incredibly open and friendly guy. I think I disappointed him a little when, after comparing ages and birthdays, we concluded that I was a couple of months younger. Sorry, Sterling. Your role as the oldest guy in the band remained unchallenged.
Living about 55 miles from Blacksburg at the time, I did a lot of driving to maintain my spot in the Shed. But because of the hospitality of the fellows, I rarely drove all the way home after gigs. I stayed with Craig some and with Dan a number of times, but mostly I wound up over at Sterling's. Man, what good company. Sterling was an interesting guy because he, himself, was interested in everything and everybody. Curious and friendly, he wanted to know about you, about what you did, where you came from, what you had going on. Easy as he was to cultivate as a friend, he revealed his own achievements in an unassuming and humble way. Over time I learned that this excellent musician (who, by the way, had the most organized rehearsal notebook possibly in the history of blues and rock musicians) was also a creative entrepreneur, a designer and builder, a student of the stock market, a Tai Chi instructor, and more. He was an amazing individual . And he may be the most openly friendly and engaging person I've ever known. He always made me feel comfortable and welcome at his house, and I always felt good after being around him.
It's been a little over six years since Judi and I moved back to Austin. As time has passed I've exchanged a few letters, phone calls, and emails with the guys, but Sterling, by far, has been my number one correspondent. He's called a few times, sent Christmas cards, and written letters (real lettersdid the guy ever get an email account?) A couple of weeks ago I stumbled onto a 3 year-old letter from Sterling as I was sorting through a bunch of papers. As I re-read it, I smiled at his accounts of Shed news and laughed at his jokes . Then I wondered, as I always did when I'd think about him, if I'd be able to talk him into coming to Texas to join us on our annual howl-at-the-moon expedition to the deserts of Big Bend National Park next March. He had been expressing interest in the trip each year, and Judi and I were convinced that one year he would actually show up and go with us. That Sterling would see the allure of such a tripthat he would think hiking into the high deserts of southwest Texas might be coolis typical of Sterling. For him life was an adventure and opportunities were invitations. If you were around him, his zest for life would rub off. And you'd be better off for it.