REST IN PEACE
Herb Gogert
12/7/1941 - 1/30/2011
On January 4th I posted a message in the Family Forum.
This is what it said:
“I have a very dear friend that was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given 3 months to live. He loves my singing and asked if I could write him a song before he passes. YIPES! what a request. He wants it to be called "A 30 pack and a Carton of Cigarettes". Nothing sad and morbid but upbeat and happy the way he intends to live the last few months of his life.
This is one of the things on his "Bucket List" and I'm hoping to fulfill this wish with the help of my SongRamp friends. Right now I just don't think I can tackle it alone. It's hard enough to think about losing him let alone write him a song. He really likes country music, NASCAR, playing shuffleboard in the bar and having a beer with friends.
If you would like to give it a go please let me know.”
Rampers BGJeff and Bopper really came through in true SongRamp Family form.
On Jan. 10th I handed my friend a completed CD.
With tears in our eyes we sat and listened to it together.
Sadly, the doctors have now told Herb that’s it’s only a matter of weeks before he goes to that big NASCAR race in the sky. Herb plans on defying the odds because he told me that every time he listens to his song, it adds 10 more days to his life… and he plays it over and over. I hope he’s right.
Thank you Jeff and Mick from the bottom of my heart and Herb’s too!
A 30-Pack and a Carton of Smokes
Lyrics by Jeff Mondack (BGJeff)
Music by Mike Brady (bopper)
Backing Track by Mike Brady
Mick O'Doherty (lead guitar and mandolin)
Paul Lynch (keyboards)
Vocals by Jamie Brayden (Songgoddess)
There is a man who drove a truck
For many, many years
He’s often at the bar with friends
They’re pounding back the beers
That guy we know as Herbie
He loves his dog and cat
He loves his girlfriend Mickey
Ain’t no doubt about that.
With a 30-pack and a carton of smokes
And a few gray hairs to see
A 30-pack and a carton of smokes
He watches his NASCAR on TV
There’s curling up in Canada
But he don’t need the ice
Herb just plays his shuffleboard
His weights are quite precise
If Herb has tuned the radio
It’s country sounds you’ll hear
And if he offers you a drink
It’s Bud, the king of beer
With a 30-pack and a carton of smokes
And a few gray hairs to see
A 30-pack and a carton of smokes
He watches his NASCAR on TV
Park your troubles at the curb
As a friend, this one’s superb
Ya gotta smile when he’s around
Now let’s all raise a toast to Herb!
With a 30-pack and a carton of smokes
And a few gray hairs to see
A 30-pack and a carton of smokes
He watches his NASCAR on TV
With a 30-pack and a carton of smokes
And a few gray hairs to see
A 30-pack and a carton of smokes
He watches his NASCAR on TV