When a telegram from Roy Cox arrived (The Bubble Puppy House had no telephone), it changed our lives. It was brief: "Record Deal! Pack the van! Move to Houston!" Rod, Todd, and I pondered leaving our comfortable Austin life, but those words motivated us to pack our few possessions and instruments. We loaded the van and drove to Houston.
Our first place was a tiny two-bedroom upstairs apartment near the International Artists (I.A.) studio. Money was tight, as our Austin financial backer was no longer involved. We even collected glass soda bottles to afford dinner at Burger King.
Our producer, Ray Rush, secured our recording contract with I.A.. He was a great producer and the head of A&R, having worked with Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison. As we entered to sign, The Thirteenth Floor Elevators were leaving and warned us, "Don't sign with these guys!". But we were "cocky teenagers," trusting them and just wanting to "make records." Years later, we gave the same warning to Ginger Valley.
We recorded at Gold Star Studios, a primitive but fantastically great-sounding studio. Before each take, Ray always said, "Rollin' for Gold!". Our engineer, Hank Poole, was relaxed and funny. We had a lot of freedom, which you can hear on our LP, "A Gathering of Promises."
Eventually, we moved to a secluded house on several acres of pine trees north of Houston because we missed the countryside. Here, we could practice loudly anytime, yelling, "F@#! The neighbors!" because there were none. One day, on acid, I played drums in the stable during an electrical storm until a significant electric shock from a light switch left me paralyzed until Todd found me.
Next, our lives would be forever changed by the success of "Hot Smoke and Sassafras!".
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