Heroes and Vagabonds
He was walking across the tarmac at the airfield. Khaki trousers, brown army jacket and a sweaty shemagh around his neck. He was walking fast, lighting up a cigarette. He stuck out his hand to greet me. He smelled like jet fuel and his handshake was firm and sincere. A real bush pilot. My love affair with aviation has led me to incredible places and people. It has given me friends, lovers and heroes. It has given me sunsets, adventures and moments of sheer terror. I believe that relationships forged in challenging and stressful environments, where consequences of mistakes are dire, tend to last. This has certainly been the case with Gerhard and I. He was my first boss, he gave me a chance to experience real flying and the life of a contract pilot and he didn't judge me when I chose to go in a different direction. He taught me the difference between a pilot or someone who works in aviation and an aviator. It was through music however that we became brothers.
The first time he took his Yamaha 12 String out of a beat up case during a massive thunderstorm at a little airfield where we would be spending the night I knew that we would be friends for a long time. I also realized it was time to start playing and singing my own songs and poems. I can not believe that he is not famous. If the world was a fair place, he would be filling theatres and Steve Hofmeyer would be selling T-shirts in the parking lot. He writes incredible songs. He and Marlizé are our very own Dave van Ronk and Andrea. Except, they don't live in a rent controlled apartment in New York City, they are my friends and they live in my hometown!!! In their house you will find eclectic and beautiful pieces of art, you'll find whiskey and cigarettes and you will find a safe haven. He has shown me how to see through the illusions of fame and popularity and to focus on the truth. To be in a state of becoming and to remain ever interested in making truly great art, regardless of what the popular flavour of the week might be. To stick to your guns and be brave. To do the miles and to write the stories.
You should come out to a Vagabonds show some time. There are a few on the cards for the summer. Just follow our Facebook page Vagabonds & Brokenhearted Lovers. Come and listen to Gerhard tell his stories, sing his songs and be transported to a place where jukeboxes still play protest songs in roadside diners. Walk with him down those lonely airport hallways toward another red eye flight. Follow him to Griekwastad and meet a long lost acquaintance in a tiny desert community.
Shake his hand, have a smoke. Because before you know it we will be gone, chasing that long white line to another one horse town.
JB