Rachel Williams

The last five days have been kind of unreal to me.

I was so excited and nervous and anxious about Saturday's photo shoot.  I was just so fixated on looking good, feeling good (even though I didn't, because I've been sick for 2 weeks now), and getting what we needed from the shoot for the new CD.  The house was full of people that were all about me and making the day a success---I was just about to sit down in the make-up chair to begin the whole "primping" process when my phone rang...

It was the news that is still shaking me to the very core 5 days later.

My good friend and co-writer, Bruce Holloway passed away early Saturday morning, on his way home from a late-night gig.  He was hit by a drunk driver, just as he was on his street...about to turn into his driveway.

I'm heart-broken over this loss.  The photo shoot, the new CD...everything seems so small right now compared to this tragedy.  He was one of the finest guys I ever met and had the privilege of writing with him frequently.

He loved our co-writes and hanging out at shows with me b/c we could relate.  We'd be as foul-mouthed as could be, and then turn super sensitive and have meaningful conversations about life and relationships.  He enjoyed writing with me and Karleen Watt b/c he didn't have to filter anything and we could be ourselves---hyper or happy or bitchy or sickly...it didn't matter.  He always talked about his kids and his Mary, his dogs, his gigs, other writers he admired, Australia, his Mom...

Had I known that last week was the last time I would see him sitting in my office, I would have hugged him tighter & longer.  I would have made him play our newest song over and over and over again. 

I tell you this story, not to depress everyone...but to hopefully awaken something in at least one person.  I feel like this whole thing has jolted me from this whole selfish, kind of lazy, kind of disappointed in everything funk I've been in.  I haven't been enjoying everything and everyone like I should be or being thankful for what I have NEARLY enough.

It's also been a huge slap in the face about Drinking & Driving.  I know we've all had it drilled into our brains throughout our whole lives that it's bad, don't do it, you don't want a DUI, etc.  But when it hits so close to home like this, it just takes on a whole new meaning.  Everyone would like to think they can 'hold their own' and be OK...you just had a couple...blah blah blah, but the reality is...most of us have driven when we shouldn't have.  Let this serve as my reminder, always.

I urge you all to take a moment today to be grateful you're here.

This is video of the first song I ever wrote with Bruce Holloway & Karleen Watt.  He's in the video too...
Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.  Rest in peace, my friend.