Rock Race

By Mark Nemcek

Colombian drug lords, psycho girlfriends, the FBI, and amnesia are obstacles that a quirky, middle-aged rock band must overcome to win a major record contract and become famous rock stars.

Have you ever dreamed of being a famous rock star, performing in front of thousands of screaming fans? Rock Race is a funny, fast moving rock and roll experience that rushes four, middle-aged musicians towards their dream of becoming rock stars, but the rock clock to stardom is ticking.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mark Nemcek
• Release date: Mar 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463919903

Mark Nemcek

Mark Nemcek has spent much of his career in the high-tech marketing world, using his writing skills to craft articles for magazines, newsletters, web content and marketing collateral.He has, however, adapted his unique and often humorous outlook on the world into words, writing short stories, poems, and song lyrics. This love of imaginative words, coupled with events such as 911, Katrina, and the poor view of US politics, inspired him to create One Nation Under Par, his funny and fictional novel about an unknown golfer who accidentally runs for president.Nemcek has also authored a fictional music comedy entitled “Rock Race”, a fast read musical journey that rushes this modern day fab four towards their dream of playing music for a living. But Columbian drug lords, psycho girlfriends, the FBI, and amnesia are obstacles that this quirky, middle-aged rock band must overcome to win a major record contract and become famous rock stars.Rock Race was created when he joined the Robert Goodman’s band in West Palm Beach, where he eventually recorded drum tracks on two albums. The band entered a music contest in Orlando, and the journey triggered the inspiration to create his humorous rock novel.Playing drums since he was twelve, his love of playing was inspired by 1970's rock mentors such as ELP and Chicago. To relive his youthful magic, he often practices using his “old” albums and turntable. He still focuses on rock and roll, but enjoys jamming to jam bands like Phish.Nemcek already adapted his successfully selling books into a screenplays. In addition, he’s already drafted additional books, and is presently working on two musical projects that combine his percussionist skills with songwriting.Nemcek loves to write and tickle the fancy of his readers, whether its funny, technical, sales-minded or factual. His writing expertise delivers results. Nemcek has honed his proofreading and editing skills that establishes him as a true fictional – humorous - writing generalist.

Book preview

Rock Race

Written by Mark Nemcek

"Without music, life would be a mistake" ― Friedrich Nietzsche

This story is a work of fiction.  The names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, event, or locals is entirely coincidental.

Copyright © 2020 by Mark Nemcek

ISBN 9780463919903

All Rights Reserved

The book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via any other means, without the permission of the publisher or author is illegal and punishable by law.  Please purchase only paper or authorized electronic editions.

Smashwords Edition, License

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Chapter 1 I don’t wanna work

Chapter 2 We don’t need no education

Chapter 3 Money for nothing, chicks for free

Chapter 4 Baby it’s the guitar man

Chapter 5 Happiness is a warm gun

Chapter 6 Can’t drive 55

Chapter 7 We are the Champions

Chapter 8 Who are you

Chapter 9 Blackmail

Chapter 10 Don’t you, forget about me

Chapter 11 Take the money and run

Chapter 12 She’s a black magic women

Chapter 13 C’mon in my Kitchen

Chapter 14 Same ‘ol chains

Chapter 15 Welcome to the grand illusion

Chapter 16 Join me in my hour in the shower

Chapter 17 Save my life I’m going down for the last time

Chapter 18 We’ve got tonight, who needs tomorrow

Chapter 19 The warden threw a party in the county jail

Chapter 20 It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll

Chapter 21 Life in the fast lane

Chapter 22 Life is a highway I wanna ride it all night long

Chapter 23 Oh Mexico

Chapter 24 Sweet Emotion

Chapter 25 Freedom you gotta give what you take

Chapter 26 Excuse me while I light my spliff

Chapter 27 Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun

Chapter 28 You can’t always get what you want

Chapter 29 It’s such a good vibration

Inspirational Acknowledgments

Chapter 1 - I don’t wanna work

I just wanna bang on my drums all day

(Todd Rundgren)

The cluttered basement was musty, damp and dreary. Certainly, an unlikely place for a rock star to be born. But that’s where Randy Nesmith’s musical journey began. The constant overcast skies of Endicott, an upstate New York town a distant four hours away from the Big Apple, was a melting pot of European descendants who were used to the cold and unfriendly climate. Randy, however, was oblivious to chilly weather forecasts and was more interested in the explosive new music being played on the radio. 

This heart-pumping music was radically different than the polka’s, cha cha’s, waltzes and big band music that floated off his dad’s accordion keys. Elvis and the Beatles started a music cult that was fertilized by historic events of the 1960’s and into the early 1970’s. Louder and longer was better. Randy couldn’t imagine a song being longer than three minutes, exceeding the maximum length of a 78 record. 

And the drum beats. Not Oom Pah Pah, but Wham BAM, thank you Mam. Even Randy’s heart had to figure out a new rhythm. But he was open to music surgery and let the music pour into his soul like a tsunami. In the spring of 1972 and without his knowledge, his music faith changed, and he converted to the church of rock and roll drummer. 

On a Saturday morning, Randy rushed down to the cellar, and removed the ragged sheet that unveiled his sparkling yellow-gold drums. He searched through his albums and placed the record on the old, upright record player that he jury-rigged to one of his Dads antique amplifiers. 

He flipped the switch on and cranked the round volume dial to the right. His fingers lifted the record arm, and a swift, spit-free blow removed a small dust cloud from the needle and released the needle to the record. A few seconds of crackles and pops gave Randy enough time to grab his sticks and jump on his throne. Grand Funk Railroad’s Footstompin’ music blasted from the ancient speakers. 

In an immediate and hypnotic state, he joined in on the drums with closed eyes. Randy was tasting heaven, fantasizing about playing his drums on stage in front 50,000 screaming fans. Strobe lights are flashing in his face. He’s one with the music, but the flashing lights become annoying.

He opens his eyes to a sad reality and sees his dad’s feet at the top of the staircase with the lights by the cellar steps blinking on and off. He stops playing and turns down the volume, now hearing the angry tone from above, Turn off that racket and pack up your drums. It's time to go.

Several hours later a wedding reception is taking place at St. Cyril’s dual-purpose basketball court / church hall. Randy is playing his drums in his dad’s wedding band, and the guests are dancing to the Roll out the Barrel polka. 

Several of the ushers are doing shots with the bridesmaids at the make-shift bar, hoping to consummate a relationship prior to marriage. Little kids are running around a packed dance floor with little concern to their dancing, tipsy parents. 

The song ends, and the sweaty, boisterous crowd is yelling for the next song. Randy's fifty-year old dad is holding his accordion and turns to the band saying, Let's pick up the pace and do a rock tune. How bout a little Leroy? They start playing Bad Bad Leroy Brown. Randy is bored.

Forty years later, Randy, now in his fifties, chubby, and grey hair past the help of Minoxodril, is sitting in front of a computer in