| By Drew Moody
There are several memories time won't taint where Rebekah Long is concerned.
She gave me some advice just over a year ago, minutes after meeting her, I'll probably never get to put to use. That was to "avoid walking up stairs in a new pair of cowboy boots."
At the time, she was a member of the bluegrass band "Mountain Fury," but didn't mention that when she stopped to say hello. She simply said she'd seen photographs I'd taken and wanted to meet me.
Perhaps most noteworthy, during the entire time I've been acquainted with Rebekah, she's never asked or requested anything of me.
Rebekah and her Great Dane, Tucker. She and twin sister Lizzy
Long have teamed up once again and are on the road making music
So, a week or so ago, as she prepared to leave Glenville behind as one of Glenville State College's December graduates, she sat down "briefly" for an interview.
Her mind must work double-speed, or she's a multitasking master, because she had no problem doing graphic artwork for the GSC student newspaper and talking to me at the same time. Neither the interview, nor the graphics work suffered, I might add.
For some reason the scene reminded me of an incident many years ago when I made the mistake of attempting to use a calculator in front of an accountant. The woman winced as I hit the keys; and to her I'm certain I was moving in "slow motion." We quickly agreed to let her operate the calculator.
Perception and reality, after all, isn't the same for everyone.
Rebekah had all of a few days off before she and twin sister Lizzy teamed up for a series of gigs on the road. Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Louisiana...then recording a demo for an up and coming new artist. Whew!
"I hope it's going to be good," she said of the reunion. "I think it will be."
As far as teaching goes, it's a back-up plan if all else fails...maybe?
More than anything Rebekah wants to settle on a career she has such a passion for it won't become a chore.
"I think it would be horrible to go through life and do something you don't really like," she said.
I recall reading something years ago that suggested, "If you find a career you truly love, it's never work." Perhaps that's the key Rebekah is seeking?
It's a worthy search.
Meanwhile, to further expand her abilities she's thinking about enrolling in a Nashville recording-audio technology school.
Her working 10-year plan is to open a recording studio, with publishing mixing-mastering, and graphic design all under one roof.
One thing that'll be a sure bet...she'll continue to experience excellence as a result of her efforts. Although dancing through life with a creative spark is often more mystery than logic.
I know an Indian woman from rural Minnesota who delights in telling about a party she attended not long after graduating from high school -- almost 50 years ago. A stranger came by with a guitar, played a few songs and left. He said he was on his way to New York City to become a famous musician.
Nobody thought much about it; fitful dreams of youth, or so it may have seemed.
It was Bob Dylan.
A little magic, a 'simple twist of fate'... you just never know.
Rebekah and Lizzy certainly have "the right stuff."
We'll be hearing from them - count on it.
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