“One In A Million” “Clifton, I’m nervous. I’m going up against GG Shinn. I’ve been on stage with every Boogie King singer but GG,” Dave said. Dave Shaw was lead singer of Southeast Texas band EAZY and a personal friend. GG Shinn was one of the greatest singers to ever grace the Gulf Coast and former lead singer with The Fabulous Boogie Kings. His apprehension was obvious through the phone line. He was scheduled to do a show at the Port Acres KC Hall the following night with GG. I tried to calm the apprehension but wasn’t sure I was successful. The next evening Lynda and I arrived at the KC Hall early. Dave was outside with several of the band. He came walking over when he saw me. I asked him if he was ready. “I’m still nervous, Cliff. This is GG.” I looked at Dave and told him, “Dave you’ve beaten a heart transplant, you’ve been a Marine Corps Drill Sergeant, you’ve been married more times than Liz Taylor. What in the name of Jesus are you afraid of GG for?” He sort of laughed and gave me that sly old Dave smile. I continued, “Dave, it’s OK to respect GG. Lord knows he’s earned that respect as a singer. He’s one of the best ever to come off the Gulf Coast. But Dave, you need fear no one on that stage. You’re as good as anyone I’ve ever heard.” A few minutes later the show began. I watched Dave as he and GG walked to the microphones to begin a Righteous Brothers number. Dave looked at me with that sly old smile, turned to GG and said, “Do you want the black keys or the white?” His apprehension was gone. By that he meant “do you want the high part of the low part of this number?” Anyone knows GG will take the high. GG must have thought, “this arrogant a**. Can’t believe he asked that as if he could do either.” As the number began and as it continued we saw two of the Gulf Coast greats going toe to toe or mic to mic on that stage. It was a night to remember. They had never worked together before yet because of their respective talents they sounded fantastic together. GG had another commitment that night and had to leave. He was only there about an hour. A couple months later, they were reunited on the same card back at the KC Hall. This time, GG’s demeanor was different. During breaks, GG kept running outside to his Escalade and flipping on the radio. He was trying to keep track of the LSU football game. About 10:00 PM the band took another break and again GG ran outside to his radio. I asked him when he had to leave. “Cliff, I’ve got to be at my club in Alexandria by 1:00 AM to close the last two hours. I’m having a ball! These old boys are flat good and Dave is awesome. I love working with him. I’m going to hang as long as I can.” True to his word, GG stayed until 11:30 PM and finally had to leave. Before leaving the stage for the last time he turned to Dave and shook his hand. He then went to every EAZY band member shaking hands. It was the ultimate respect one gifted entertainer could give another. As he pulled out of the parking lot he rolled down his window, looked at me and said, “Man, this has been one hell of a night!” I never once saw a performance by Dave that he did not acknowledge “Da Boyz in Da Band.” He would always recognize the talents of his band EAZY. He would give them full credit and often say, “I am the luckiest son-of-a-gun in the world to be up here with these guys behind me. I remember another night when he shared the stage with someone. His son. Dave was the typical proud father as he introduced his son. The next day Dave called me and said, “Clifton that was the happiest night of my life. I’ve always dreamed of having my son on stage with me.” He glowed even through the phone line. One night Dave and I were yapping at Larry’s about the ‘old days.’ We started talking about all the area singers we had grown up with. The names James and Sheena Anderson came up. Folks, these are two wonderfully talented people. I managed to find James and Sheena and talk them into coming to Larry’s the next time Dave was up. That night, when James and Sheena went on stage with Dave; Dave’s face lit up brighter than the Bethlehem Lights on a Christmas tree. True to form he paid tribute to both for being his early mentors and inspirations. Those of us that were there will never, ever forget the smiles on their faces. And, we’ll never, ever forget the incredible talent and music that adorned that stage that night. We were preparing for Dave’s benefit. I was at Dave’s home visiting. I asked Dave if he was planning on attending the benefit. He looked at me and said, “Cliff, I know it may not be normal for the beneficiary to be there for his own benefit; but there is no way I would miss this opportunity to be with so many, many gifted performers and musicians. I’ve just got to go.” The Gulf Coast music world had answered the call to help Dave. They came out in droves. Dave was there throughout the entire event – soaking in every band, every musician, every singer, and all the supporters that had come out to help. And yes, he took the stage and performed incredibly. Dave was in his element. Dave and I spoke regularly when he was at Methodist and when he was capable of doing so. A number of days following transplant surgery Dave called me from Methodist. He was all excited. He had every reason to believe he was going to be released that day but it did not happen. He was irritated to say the least. The next day he called me again. He said, “Clifton, I know why I had to stay over. God has really been speaking to me about what I need to do. I am going to speak to prospective transplant recipients and those contemplating organ donation.” He called it The Riverman Project (a nickname I hung on him). He had made a contract with God. Dave carried out his end of the contract. He founded The Riverman Project. He spoke to several Lions Club groups. I never heard him but I was told by Lions Club members his testimony was incredible. And, that when he finished you could scarcely find a dry eye in the room. Dave had his audience. Dave had his little quirks, too. He would get so keyed up and excited about a performance he often did not sleep all night before the show. He has been known to arrive hours before a show. Some people may think, “If Dave and God had a contract and Dave was doing his part, why didn’t God do his part?” To you I would say, “God did His part. God gave Dave time to found the Riverman Project and speak to several groups. God gave Dave time to share a stage with his son and experience one of the happiest moments in his life. God gave Dave time to sing with the last great Boogie King legend, GG. God allowed Dave time to go with us and hear his beloved Delbert McClinton. God gave us his friends, time to enjoy him a bit longer and witness his glory on stage. I believe Dave ended his contract with God. As Dave said, “Cliff, there’s no way I’m gonna’ miss a chance to be with that many gifted performers, musicians, and singers.” And, Dave is notoriously early when he’s all keyed up about the next performance. He just left early to make sure he didn’t miss a chance to work with the greats that went before him. He once told me, “Cliff, I would love to be inducted into the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame but I probably never will. I love my work and a man likes to be recognized for his work.” Dave, I don’t know if you will be inducted into the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame. Lord knows you belong there. I’ve seen you go up with the best and hold your own or surpass them. I will say my golden friend, “You’ve been inducted into a Hall of Fame that’s beyond anything you could have dreamed possible and I know you’re having a ball up there matching notes with ‘Da Boyz in Da Band.’ We’ll be on the floor in a while. Dave Shaw knew my favorite song he did was, “I’m Gonna Find Another You.” One of his personal favorites was “One In A Million.” Dave, we’re never going to find another you until we catch up with you and brother, you really were One in A Million. We’ll miss you my golden friend. Enjoy the eternal show. Just be careful up there who you ask, “White keys, or black keys?” (Dave Shaw lost his battle with heart transplant surgery)
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 20:44:05 +0000
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