EVIL MISTRESS: A Lifelong Affair with Music, the Epilogue

Photo: DC Duncan: “The real me… my apologies.”

DC has been a frustrated musician for over fifty years, and now has decided to become a frustrated writer.

– Bio for the Pagosa Daily Post

Was my musical career an exercise in futility? I don’t know about that, but I do know that writing about my lifelong affair with music has been a delight… and cathartic.

The one thing that amazed me was the number of musicians from my past with whom I reconnected. I rekindled friendships as far back as 1971, and before. And to all my crazy bandmates I’ve played with over the years – and you, dear readers – I hope you all had fun reading about my musical adventures, and listening to a smorgasbord of musical styles.

Music is your friend until the end.

–Jim Morrison

“The Stranger” Bob Rea: Attitude (1996) – Musicians: Bob Rea, vocals; Bruce Mandell, Harmony Vocals; RT Thompson, guitars, etc; DC Duncan, drums; & Red Greer, Fiddle.

As of this writing, it is 2026. I’m 75 years old (but I’m not dead). Keep in mind that life is like a roll of toilet paper: the closer to the end, the faster it goes! And if you have meaningful things to say, especially to friends and loved-ones, you should say it now, before it’s too late.

(If you’re fretting about life, don’t worry… it’ll pass.)

People always ask me: what does DC stand for? Answer: Trouble! For instance, ever since my first professional gig at age 17, I’ve been guilty of DUI – Drumming Under the Influence. I’d like to apologize to any bandmates or audience members that I may have offended while “performing.” (Especially the time I mooned the whole audience at Faces in Dallas.)

I’m so sorry.

I should also apologize for some of my more “offensive” writing. But keep in mind that I am not a journalist. I am a humorist! Some of you have written scathing letters to the editor and I assure you we treat those letters with the appropriate response: we shake our heads and laugh our asses off! Although some of the complaints have a modicum of merit, we dismiss them without blinking an eye. (Of course, I jest…)

Remember: “There is an element of truth in a smidgeon of sarcasm.” (Satire is my middle name.)

I’d like to give a shout-out to my best friend and co-conspirator, Dale McFarland. (We met in Junior High.) Dale is a working jazz pianist, one-time publisher of Texas Jazz News, creator of thespeciousreport.com (not for the faint of heart) and Texas music preservationist who resides in Dallas. He is responsible for my extensive jazz enlightenment and my sick sense of humor.

Dale convinced me to write the Evil Mistress series and suggested that we publish a book of the same title. NOTE: After reading the entire series, Mr. McFarland has forbidden me to use his name in conjunction with the proposed book under threat of litigation. (Whatever.)

Seriously, Dale is my brother and I have no idea what I’d do without him.

The “evil” in Evil Mistress is mostly the business side of music. It can be downright cutthroat and cold-hearted, what with shady booking agents, tyrannical club owners, greedy managers, belligerent drunks and those who scream “Free Bird!”

Sometimes I’ve played in several bands where at least one bandmate was a real jerk, for one reason or another. But that’s not evil, that’s simply unfortunate. Most of my bands were like family, but within each family there are petty disagreements. (The Bee Gees used to whoop-up on each other before many of their shows! Yet they survived and thrived.)

Most of my dear friends are musicians. They’re my tribe – and we are often referred to as “savages.”

“Take My Heart, Take My Soul” – Steve Ford And Alleycat; ‘One Extreme to the Other’ (1980), produced by DC Duncan – Musicians: DC lead vocals & percussion; Tommy Knuckles, drums; Mike Boyd, guitar & vocals; Philip “Radar” Watkins, Keyboards & vocals; Rob Landrum, bass & vocals; & John Tincher, sax.

Writing about a convoluted career that extended over 50 years can be mind-numbing. At age 75, trying to create an accurate timeline and recall details of stories that took place decades ago can be a real feat! (They say that your memory is the second thing to go. I forget what the first is…)

For instance, I got a hold of my dear friends Alan Heckle and Jay Cober from our 1970s band, Django. I needed help recalling a funny story that happened at Gertie’s in Dallas (or somewhere). Alan’s version of the story was completely different than mine. And when I spoke with Jay, his version was totally different than the first two! (Of course, we were all doing lots of party favors back then, and that would explain a lot.) At least we all agreed that the goddamn thing actually happened.

Oh, and by the way, before I forget. Back in October, 2016, in Pagosa Springs, the infamous Bear Creek Saloon was destroyed in a massive fire. (And contrary to the idiotic rumors, I had nothing to do with it!)

I have selected a few songs that I played on for your listening pleasure. (Of course, many people find great pleasure in pain. See: sadomasochism.) Either way, enjoy…

I’d like to list some of my favorite albums that I had the honor of playing on: Jack Clift, On a Bright, Bright Morning; Chris Ravin, Solo Flight; Brooks-i, Music for the People; Jerry Faires, Dogs Bark… The Caravan Moves On; Robert Kolb, Take off Your Clothes; Gordee Headlee, Strange Territory; Christopher Gallup, Matters of the Heart; Pamela Novack, Lady of the Mountains; and of course, Christian Plique, Next to a Dead Man.

Thanks one and all for inviting me to play on you heartfelt albums!

I have not played drums since January 1, 2020 and my extensive collection of drums and percussion instruments had been hidden away in storage, untouched. Last year (2025) I finally gathered the courage and sold everything, lock, stock and barrel. The buyer was my old friend, Andy Matlock, an excellent drummer. At least my “children” went to a good foster home!
I wrote a story on Facebook about how sad I was to finally sell my beloved drums, that I hadn’t expected it to be so emotional. I received an outpouring of comments from good friends and sympathizers.

One note in particular really helped me cope. The author was my old friend, John Bryant, a One O’clock Lab Band Drummer at the University of North Texas and long-time drummer for Ray Charles. John said:

“You will always be a drummer, with or without drums.”

Thanks, John! And thanks to all of you who read my series, “Evil Mistress: A Lifelong Affair with Music.” I wish you the best, and welcome to the end!

“Welcome to the End”… Title song from the second Rumbelly album (2004). Musicians: DC Duncan, drums, keyboards & vocals; Stephen Tholberg, guitars & bass.