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When I was voted out of my first band, KONTRA, nearly three years ago, I swore I'd never again play our "originals" -- those songs which were written by Gerard, the band's de facto leader; this week, however, there was a sudden and unforeseen reunion of KONTRA, and it felt good.

It all started with a phone call from the drummer from that band, Dan "The Man" Peasley. "Dan called," I told Julie when she got home Wednesday afternoon. "He wants me to play for The Wausau All-Stars tonight, but I told him that I haven't even thought about the songs we used to play since I left the band three years ago." Julie was encouraging and said I should "go for it," but "I just don't feel ready," I told her, and then I took a nap.

The Wausau All-Stars is a sort of jam band which is comprised of local musicians. They play each Wednesday evening, with the location alternating between two downtown area parks. The musicians are not paid (although we're each supposed to get a t-shirt at the end of the season), and performances are free to the public. I felt that they were really scraping the bottom of the barrel in coming to me, but I was definitely interested.

I told Dan to make some more calls and try to find someone else. He said he would but if He called back he'd need a yes from me. When another local musician, who didn't want to play, called to ask if I could please help him get out of it by taking his place I could resist no longer. So, at last, I agreed and found myself down in the basement with our old tape going over those songs that I said I would never play again. Toward the end of 1995, Gerard and I had a pretty loathsome Falling out and this would be the first time I would see him since.

Wouldn't you know: after all of that, I find myself on the stage again and really enjoying myself, and it starts to rain. It's been quite dry here lately, and we really need the rain, but why, why now? So, after only half a dozen songs we had to stop and tear down. It didn't rain hard, just enough to spoil my fun. If it had to rain I wish it would have at least been a substantial amount.

The Wausau All-Stars' promoter, also named Dan, liked my playing and said he'd be calling me to play again. I also got a chance to talk briefly with Gerard when we got done and we, at least on the surface, patch things up. We'll have to wait to see what happens but for about 45 minutes, anyway, it was just like old times.

It may not be as big as the reunions of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, or Fleetwood Mac, but for me it was close. I said it would never happen, but I guess I lied.