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Well, as some know, I used to manage one of the top cover bands in this area. They were the "anchor band" at the first inland, sand-volleyball bar that became one of the longest-running music venues in North Texas.
The owner was a character, local activist--many political pranks were hatched there. He learned early that true troublemakers needed to be held on site, else the cops could not do much.
So he began hiring mostly big ol' strong rasslers for bouncers. (Wiley, a sidenote: although he was not very big--and *not* a rassler--one of the best was Jim Thorpe's grandson, Bill, who was also a great guy. Sadly, he has since died [brain tumor]. )
The biggest was a basketball player from Texas Weslyan, who got into rasslin *after* joining the crew, recruited by a rassler. Mark was about 6-8 as I recall, and let's say 280. A gentler guy you would be hard-pressed to find. Yet, I've also seen him pick up 6-3, 6-4 guys with one hand. A particularly obnoxious about that size went whistling by the band and me one night, in a tiny alleyway, as I barely in time got the guys out the way. Mark took him to the front steps outside, drew him overhead, then literally *bounced* him offa the concrete. Band looking over my shoulder, I say, "So that's where the term comes from..." 6-3, 6-4 guy jumps to his feet, runs into the night, never to be seen again...
Out of all the very talented bands and musicians to play there, Mark has gone on to the greatest fame and wealth: Mark Calloway, "The Undertaker."
[ June 18, 2006, 17:04: Message edited by: T e x ]
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