Touch Of Gray - Don Gray

DON GRAY

---We were holding auditions for a drummer for the band - FRANCONIA NOTCH. That was the band that Bobby Darling and myself played in before we started the Bobby Darling Show in 1972. We did a lot of original songs written by Bobby, Jeff Thompson, Mike Graham and even myself (Paul H.) Hempty (John Hemenway,) who played Conga Drums, had just quit. Don was the last drummer of the day. We held the auditions at Jeff’s house near South Hampton, MA….I think! Truly, a big reason Don was hired wasn’t due to his drumming ability, though he fit right in. He showed up for the audition in a van-truck that could easily haul the equipment. We all became very aware that the truck belonged to him and that he saw hauling the equipment as ‘’not a problem.’’ Before a single note was played, he had a ''BIG'' leg up on the competition.

---The band FRANCONIA NOTCH did okay with Don Gray. Don was very easy to get along with. Fred McKay played Bass. (A Sidelight - Fred’s son is Adam McKay from SNL. He directed ‘’Talladega Nights, Stepbrothers, Ron Burgundy,’’ and others with SNL Alum Will Ferrell.) The band Franconia Notch, was distinguishable from the ‘’Old Man of The Mountain,’’ which had been in NH for millions of years. We played for two years. We were going to take the ‘’Old Man’’ to court, but he crumbled just before that happened. He probably couldn’t handle the pressure.

---I, myself, was on hiatus from my former bandmates until about a year before Don passed on in 2007. Bobby and Don were quite close over the years. Don Gray was well aware that he had cancer at the end and in the video. It was amazing how ''WELL'' he handled it all. Don was present at the Bobby Darling Show first audition at the Rusty Scupper in Amherst. We didn’t get the job due to an unavoidable Technical Glitch. Our equipment drank a few too many gin and tonics that night! When the night was through, Don suggested we try the Broadview in Holyoke. It may be more our type of crowd.

---Don was very affable and a fun guy to know. Admittedly, when Bobby mentioned the CHIPMUNKs in the video, I was very excited. It was almost a surreal moment. I wrote it and performed it, BUT never saw it performed by others. It was great! It was wonderful! It, admittedly, had been honed over the years. I saw the Dinsdale influence (Laurie Dearest whistling from her butt...for one.) Now, Dinsdale, who passed recently, was a very funny guy.

With Don, the BDS was more rock n' rolly - if, indeed, that is a word. Bobby Darling and Don Gray fans will enjoy seeing this. Don Gray was a great guy. So, is Bobby. If you ever see Don in one of your dreams...say ''fore'' for me and let him play through. Of course, if he's wearing one of those loud, colorful golfing shirts, make fun of it...first, before you let him through. Don was a real nice guy, but after seeing the video - I'm sure you know that. Take Care.

(I truly admire the poise and aplomb he showed about his own passing. It was remarkable.)