 Next I was in the queue for Southside and this was
really important to me what should I say, "Oh I like your songs"
"You’re my hero" or other such stuff. No I would confess to playing
Jukes’ songs badly in the UK with my band the Blues Cruise. Just a light hearted one
liner which met with the response "Which songs do you play?" I gave him a short
list and the response was, "Oh the Fever well you ain't never going to sing that song
with me, that's my best number. They would kill me if I let you do that". No worries
I said, I have come here to hear you sing the songs and so has everyone else. John
responded by saying he had done them all many times and wished me luck.
So that was it I got my photo, bought some CD's and talked to my hero. Not bad for one
afternoon. At the raffle I really wanted to win a harp, I play myself and it would have
been great but, no luck. Before the gig I, like many others, practiced my introduction
just in case I was the one lucky enough to announce the band. Out of luck again but what
the hell… I was going to see the band for the first time in ten years.
The show started and it was just awesome, all my favourite tunes, great view, good sound.
Boy had I forgotten just what good musicians they all were. Then it came… the moment
I had only dreamed of. "There is a guy from London who plays my songs - is he out
there?" What me? You talking to me? I stood silent and he asked again, some of the
guys from the Britstock crew turned and looked at me, "It's you… do
something!"
 I raised my arm and he invited me on to the
stage. My reaction was amazement and fear, surly he would not let me sing, that would be
crazy. I tried to remember the words to the Fever, what key was it in… could I do it?
No I thought I will just go up there, John will have a joke with me and I will soon be
back in the crowd. That would be cool I could handle a bit of mickey taking if required.
"What's your name?" Neil. "Neil?" (OK so I have a cockney accent)
"This guy reckons he is a better singer than me… well he is taller than me"
Well this was it… a laugh at the geezer from London, it was OK but then it got
serious, he was going to let me sing. This was just mind numbing. I have been nervous
before on stage but this was another experience entirely. It wasn't nerves just this numb
feeling of wow it can't be true… yes I want to… no I can't… what are the
words… surely he will just jump in and save me… push me out the way… join
in… Oh no, the intro is nearly done any second now there is a stop and the singing
starts, wake me up… give me the note… the lyrics… anything.
I am in, shaky but
in, quiet, timid even. I catch the eyes of the people in the front row, a couple have
spoken to me and they smile up at me. I am really struggling, I want to give it my usual
treatment, passionate, load, intense, but vaguely in tune will have to do. We make it to
the chorus and John’s along side me, I carry on through the middle eight and I am in
heaven. No chance to sit back relax and soak it all in, just sing for your life boy!
 At the break John just says, "Get off
the stage!" Hey that is cool, I don't deserve to be up here at all so why worry. I
move towards the horns in a state of shock, they all try to high five me but I miss it and
clamber past LaBamba and head for the side of the stage. People are staring, they clap,
slap my back and Jane gives me a huge hug. I am now back in the crowd, the Britstock crew
surround me, we hug we cheer and we all celebrate together. Others join in and I am just
overwhelmed. Paul "Yinglueng" gives me a large VAT and Jeff Jennings gives me
one of Southside's harps that he won in the Raffle. "You deserve this," he said.
Thanks Jeff, a wonderful gesture.
I've sung with the band, I join in all the remaining songs and the greatest hits album in
the hotel bar. I even get asked to dance by one young lady "As long as you sing to me
like Southside". I can hardly talk let alone sing. So many people spoke to me after
that experience it was just amazing. I know I could have done a better job, but boy I
could have made one hell of a mess of things too.
So it’s the ultimate dream, thanks again to everyone and especially Southside, for
remembering our brief conversation and making JUKESTOCK such an amazing experience for me.
Raise a glass!
Southside Neil (The Fake Juke)
PHOTOS (C) BY JOHN
CAVANAUGH / DANNI DI RIENZO
 I
WON THE RIGHT TO INTRODUCE THE BAND
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