Throughout my life I have known a few people that I have truly enjoyed being around. Not only did I learn a few things from them, I also loved the competitiveness and the kind-hearted acts from these people. Clay Lindsey was one of those people, and still is today.
Let's backtrack for a bit. My family had just moved to Gervais, Oregon, from Texas (1976). I didn't know anyone in this tiny town. Clay and I were three-sport athletes on the same teams at Gervais High School. We were at every school activity - dances, etc. That little-old town sure gave me a lift when I was in my darkest hours ... it was athletes like Clay that helped me through some tough times.
I don't know if Clay remembers all the things we did as high school kids ... we joked around during road trips in the bus. We studied hard, we hit hard on the football field, we talked about girls, we worked hard on the basketball court, and we ran on the track. It was so much fun having a teammate you could always count on. Clay also has two brothers that were talented basketball players, Bill and Carl.
Before our games, no matter what season, Clay would invite me to his house to play pool, or just hang out before the Friday night lights. We would even play some tunes on the guitar. This did an amazing thing to my emotional well-being. I am truly thankful for Clay Lindsey and the friend he has been over the years.
Even after high school, we would play in pick-up basketball games. I was always one of the bigger guys playing ... and of course I'd get matched up with Clay. He was one of the strongest power forwards I had ever played against. I was a pretty good defender, but with Clay, it was always a tough challenge inside. One time I got so frustrated because he was shooting over me and I could not block his shot. So, I started grabbing his arm as he went up with the basketball! To my surprise, he was still able to make the shot -- wow, I couldn't believe that he didn't even call a foul.
One of my favorite all-time memories with Clay was when we captured the title of the biggest tournament in Washington. We won the Seattle Hispanic Basketball Tournament back in 1990. No Oregon team had ever won it. We were the first, and having Clay on our team was a huge relief to me, because he was on our team.
Now fast forward to 2022. Clay plays in two bands. He has been with Koral Jam the last 14 years. And, the last 4 years he has played with The Crush. I admire the determination he has to continue getting better at what he does. I enjoy being around growth-mindset types of people, since that's the kind of person I am. Congrats, Clay, hard work pays off, your success is commendable, my friend.
The Crush will be performing on Friday August 5, 2022, at the Keizer Rotary Amphitheater (Keizer Rapids Park) ... gates open at 5:00pm and show starts at 6:30pm.
This band plays 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s cover music. The band members are Clay Lindsey (Gervais grad 1979), Bill Cox (Gervais grad 1978 and my football teammate -- thanks for blocking for me, Bill!), Brian Lea (Gervais grad 1968), and Nelson Tanabe (originally from Hawaii). These guys are talented musicians with great vocals.
I'm so glad that I will be able to attend this concert. I encourage you to come out and have some fun with some good music. If you attended Gervais High School, you get to see three former Gervais graduates perform.
Clay, thanks for being a long-time friend, I appreciate you and support you. If you get a chance at the concert, give me a shout out as an author that writes inspiring stories -- just kidding! :-).
God bless you, my friend.