The last place we played in June was Cole Camp. As we packed up our instruments, Jimmy said he felt better that day because the room was cool. I suggested that he sing “Independence Day” in July. As we exited the building, I said I would see him at practice.
Sometimes life plays tricks on us. I never knew that my casual goodbye would be the last time I would see my brother. A week from the day the Capps Family Band played at Cole Camp, Kathy, their grandson Connor, my sister Roberta, and I were planning his funeral.
Last night, I was watching the Daniel O’Donnell show and he began to sing “You Were Always on My Mind.” I turned it off and went into a complete meltdown. A few months ago, Jimmy was in the hospital in Columbia. We were talking on the phone, and he wanted to know if I’d been working on any new songs. I named off a few of them, and he wanted me to pick up my ukulele and try that one. I started playing it and he stopped me. He suggested I try a different key. I started again and when I got to the bridge, he told me my timing was off. So he had me start over, and finally, about the fifth time through he let me finish. “You have that one,” he said.
During, our normal practice sessions Jimmy would concentrate on one song at a time. One time, he told me the song I was singing needed to be sung as if I was singing to a child. Another time, he told me I needed to put some sass into a song I was learning. Both times, he gave advice that improved the performance.
He encouraged everyone in the family band to sing. He had full confidence that with practice and the right key, anyone could sing. He was always satisfied when we did our best, even when it wasn’t perfect. The rule was that you kept on singing even when you made a mistake because often the audience wouldn’t even know you had made it.
The best part of our practice sessions was spending time with family. When I first started with the band, we were a large group. Due to health reasons and other life circumstances, most of the time the band was Jimmy, Kathy, and me. The three of us each played an instrument and took turns singing. Music was so important to Jimmy that he powered through health problems that would have had most people housebound.
Today, I ignored everything on my to-do list to practice the guitar until my fingers were sore. My fingers felt clumsy as they reached for the basic chords, and I struggled to change chords smoothly. When I started to feel discouraged, I remembered that I had the same problems when I first started playing the ukulele.
After I finished with the guitar, I picked up my ukulele. I played some of the new songs I’ve been working on, and started through the songs on my list in our family band songbook.
Several people have asked if the Capps Family Band would continue. Jimmy was our fearless leader and the heart and soul of the band. It’s hard to imagine the band without him, but if our family can eventually get it together, it would be his legacy.
I love to play music and sing and that is totally Jimmy’s fault. I will miss him as a brother, mentor, fellow writer, and as a friend. I will miss his mischievous sense of humor. I will cherish the good times, the fun times, and the love he had for his family.
My heart aches for my mom, Kathy, his grandkids, my brothers and sisters, and his friends. My heart hurts for the people in the nursing/retirement facilities that were so happy to see Jimmy after his long hospitalization.
Today, I pulled up some of Jimmy’s stories that I saved on my PC. It felt good to laugh at his words. I always laugh at the “Donnie and Me” video. I am thankful for the videos Jimmy made and the gift of music he left us.
Copyright ©June 2025 by L. S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com
#ENDALZ
4 comments:
This is a beautiful tribute and music can be your legacy from Jim. Love you and my heart is breaking for your pain.
I knew Jimmy for a short time at School of the Ozarks. His humor was always present and I got to work with him some days. He was a joy to work with
Thank you Linda Jimmy loved his music and family. We would record each performance and even when he didn't feel well he would have me set it up for him to hear. Just know he loved with his whole heart and it meant the world to him when you wanted to learn to play and we made the road trip to help you with your purchase. He cherished all his family and friends.
Make me a promise Bianca, my mother said. "Promise me you won't put me in a home or make me live with one of your sisters". It was a joke at the time when my mom was just starting to forget things. 06/08/2019 was the hardest day of my life. Watching my mom talk to herself, packing her things 2-3 times a day, saying she has to go home. It was heartbreaking. I broke down and cried with her a few times and then I realized how hard it must be on my dad too. He can't leave the house, he has to convince her that she lives in their house. I came to the decision to quit my job. My dad needs help. I live 7 hours away but instead of visiting my parents, I'll be visiting my husband. My mom has always been there for me and been my best friend so I want to be there for her. I keep telling myself that I can snap her out of it. I got her numerous medications including DONEPEZIL and MEMANTINE instead of helping her, they almost destroyed her due to the side effects. As I was reading more about Dementia on the internet, I met with some comments of people testifying about Dr. Rohan and his BRONGEE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS that it works for Alzheimer's and Dementia. I contacted the doctor immediately and explained my mother's condition to him, he assured me that my mom will be fine and her memory will come back to normal. I ordered his Herbal Supplements and it was delivered to me by the DHL Express company in less than a week with instructions on how to use them attached in the package. After 3 weeks of using these herbs, we began to see improvement, after 6 months my mom was better, and it's been 2 years now and my mom is completely free from this horrible disease. In case your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer's /Dementia I will advise you to use BRONGEE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS. You can contact Dr. Rohan via email; dr.rohanronjohn@gmail.com or WHATSAPP with +393510553632 he is well known for his groundbreaking records concerning heart and brain disease.
Post a Comment