Trip to Nowhere: An Unforgettable Journey
As I look back throughout those memories of Nashville, the hard lessons I have learned then and along the way have made me truly thankful for each and every step that I have had to take to make me who I am today. Nashville did not change me but the events surrounding my life at that time, did. However, this does not excuse any parent from the idea that it is alright to send their child out into the world alone without supervision, to live out a dream, whether it be their dream or the child’s dream; and not expect there to be consequences to follow. Do not be naive to the idea that nothing will happen to your child because things do happen and if you think closing your mind to such thoughts will make you feel better, guess again!
I saw horrible things at age sixteen that no child should have to ever witness, I saw kids my own age walking the streets with guitars hanging off their backs, begging for food, waiting for the chance to be heard, to be discovered, only to be ignored, walked over, passed by, and I often wonder how many of those innocent souls made it out alive.
One afternoon, a man came into town claiming to be a talent scout out of Nashville, Tennessee. His name was J.T. Willy. My parents talked it over with me and asked if I wanted to audition for this man and that they would be willing to allow me to do so. My heart was pumping because this was a chance of a lifetime for me. I wanted to go to Nashville and I felt I was ready, so my dad made the phone call and this gentleman and his wife showed up at our doorstep. He was a big man, not much to speak of. He was a smooth talker and his wife was mousy and did not say too much. He made himself comfortable in my parents’ living room, while I sang my heart out for him. J.T was also a singer and he sounded just like Johnny Cash, and after I was finished, he complimented me and told my parents “I can make this young lady a star.” He then invited us to a place in Madison, Wisconsin where he was performing with some friends and wanted to see how I would do with a live audience and my parents agreed. When we arrived, there was another man present, his name was Casey. After being introduced, I was then thrown up on stage with the band and again, I sang my heart out without fear, capturing my audience without incidence.
Here is where the problems began; my parents were told they had to pay $250.00 upfront in order to confirm my position within the company. We then signed a contract without any lawyer present, which is an absolute no-no. My parents believed that what they were doing for me was a good thing and had no idea the contract was bogus and just for show.
My first road trip was to Bismarck, North Dakota with J.T and his wife. My Second trip, J.T. decided to send me out with Casey to Redwood, Minnesota to perform for a week with a band and I ended up coming home three days after because Casey tried to take advantage of me in a hotel room and when I denied his advances, he dumped me with the band and left. The band put me on a bus and sent me home. You can imagine how horrifying it would be for a sixteen- year-old to have to encounter this type of situation and be far from home.
Nashville bound! A dream of a lifetime, or so I thought. Once I arrived, my nightmare began. One lie after another and the so called company was office space they rented on Music Row above another Record company. They had a cot set up in a spare office for me to sleep in. Months had gone by and nothing, I went into the recording studio and recorded Hey Big Man, and Baby With You…but later found out that all I did was record my voice over someone else’s. When I started demanding answers, and wanting to do more, they became frustrated with me, in return they sent me on a bogus trip to Florida, informing me that this was a hotel circuit job. I had no idea it was a one way ticket to nowhere.
I arrived back in Nashville to a locked building with an eviction notice. I was ditched. I decided I had to fight back and survive and I did just that. I hid my luggage, walked the streets, worked in a soup kitchen, and survived. There is more to this story but the main point is never sending your child away with someone you barely know.
Make sure you do your homework first before you dive into something that you think looks really good. What happened to me has happened to many others and I am sure my story sounds cliché. I am leaving so much out and what this did to me years ago. The self esteem issues I dealt with, feeling like a failure and loosing the one dream I lived for the most. I had to walk away from singing forever. I buried these memories for many years because it hurt too much! Nashville is the place to go to showcase your talents, but in the heart of it all, the darker side is rarely seen unless you actually have lived it. Trust me it is not as glorious as it seems!
I am sharing my story today so that I can help prevent others from doing the same thing my parents did. I am over the blame game as it should be now. But I was only sixteen! What did I know?
Tracy Leigh Ball Bio:
Tracy Leigh Ball was born and raised in the beautiful state of Wisconsin and still reside there today. Currently a full time student earning her BA in English at Ashford University, Tracy plans to become a Teacher of Creative Writing. Tracy is a published author of 4 books; three poetry: Expressions of Life,
Silent Whispers: Poetry from the Soul, and Dancing with Words, and her first Fiction/Mainstream novel:
The Disappearance of Vera Dressler.
Tracy hopes to one day run and maintain her own magazine strictly for writers of all genres and she hopes to teach all ages about writing, and inspire everyone to believe in their dream of becoming published authors. Everyone has a story to tell, it is how you present that story that will forever form the relationship between you and the reader. Tracy believes that anyone can tap into their creative side if they just believe!
You can connect with Tracy on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and finally the PenAndPaperWorld Poetry Site
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Sonia Marsh Says:
I can only imagine the emotions you must have gone through, from the moment T.J. complimented you and told your parents “I can make this young lady a star,” to the incident with Casey trying to take advantage of you in a hotel room. As you say, “I am sharing my story today so that I can help prevent others from doing the same thing my parents did.”
Thank you for making parents aware of what happens when you send your child away to become a “star” without taking the necessary legal steps and more.
Please leave your comments for Tracy below, and she will be over to answer them.
Don’t forget to vote for your favorite August, “My Gutsy Story.” You have until September 12th to vote and the winner will be announced on September 13th. Please go to the sidebar to VOTE and click on your favorite story of the month. Thanks, and please share with your favorite social media buttons below.
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To submit your own, “My Gutsy Story” you can find all the information, and our sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here.
Tracy, I really think your story is something that parents need to hear, if they are contacted by a talent scout. Do you know if this still happens today, and is it less prevalent due to stricter laws?
Sonia this is a great question. Naturally, if the talent scout is legitamate, then the parent has nothing to worry about as long as they have done their homework and know all there is to know about this person. But if they just toss the child into the wind, so to speak, and hope for a win, then the chances that this event turns into disaster is certainly possible. The laws have always been in place, but crooked is crooked and when a snake can slither past the law without being heard or seen, they will do whatever it takes to get away with whatever they can. It happens every day and is still happening today. There are children roaming the streets of Nashville now, lonely, hungry, hoping for that same dream to become famous, only to be ignored or taken advantage of. Pretty sad!
Thank you for the opportunity to share this story Sonia.
Tracy Leigh Ball
Thank you for sharing your story Tracy, it’s a shame that a lot of bad things happen along the path of trying to make it in Nashville that mast people don’t know about.
Thank you David. This happens in any given profession. This really is a shady business if you do not know what you are doing, because there are so many vultures waiting in the wings to feast on the weak. The problem is that there are too many documentaries out there that candy-coat the real issues about this place. It is awesome for those who have made it, but for those who did not and are still struggling, this is a sad life to have to lead in order to “make it”.
Tracy Leigh Ball
Sad and scary story Tracy. Sometimes wanting more for your kids can cloud your judgement. I’d like to think I would have researched this person willing to take my child, but you can’t deny that some people can really snow you. Great advice for anyone facing this type of situation.
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barbara recently posted..Adventures with Dad…
Thank you Barbara, You are right about doing research but you have to remember that there are many out there for whom are desperate, naiive and unwilling to take that time. They jump quickly because the right words are said. It happens and it still happens today. There are some smooth talkers, swift talkers that know just what to say to get you to believe. As you say, clouding the judgement can happen! Thank you for taking time to read and comment.
Tracy Leigh Ball
Thanks for telling your story Tracy. How frightening to be sent on a road trip to nowhere at the age of sixteen. But, you are strong and smart and found a way to survive. Sometimes people get blinded by their hopes and dreams and the reality gets blurred. Sorry you went through such a trying time at an impressionable age. Glad you are doing well now and know your goals and where you are headed. Looking forward to reading more about you.
April Kempler recently posted..First Person: National Championship Air Races Grace the Northern Nevada Sky Once Again
Thank you so much April. I learned a great deal from this trip at a very young age. I grew up way too fast, but I have an appreciation for the other side of this business. The success part does not interest me, but the protecting of our youth is what is driving me to get this book finished and get my story out there now. It is so easy to candy-coat a lifestyle to sell to others, but I have no intentions of candy-coating this one! I want parents to really understand what can happen. I survived, thankfully! But there are some that didn’t and that breaks my heart. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment!
Tracy Leigh Ball
This gutsy story series is fascinating, Sonia. I’m going to scroll down and read some more.
Tracy, you were very brave when you were a young’un. I never would have had the nerve to take off like that at such a young age, even with my parents’ consent.
Patricia Stoltey recently posted..Colorado Gold Highlights
Thank you Patricia. I never thought of it as being brave back then. I was chasing a dream like everyone else would have. More like eager! I was just as scared as could be too! Thank you for reading and commenting!
Tracy Leigh Ball
Patricia,
Thanks for your message and encouragement. Yes, I do think we have many great stories and would love for you to submit a “My Gutsy Story” if you have one you’d like to submit. Please check the contest page.
You show courage in falling down and then getting back up with even more strength than before.
Lady Fi recently posted..Living your learning
Thank you so much for that lovely and encouraging compliment! I did fall! It took me a very long time to stand up straight, but once I did. I realized it wasn’t my fault and that I was proud of who I had become in the process! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment.
Tracy Leigh Ball
What a scary experience for a 16-year-old, or any age. I hope you’ll sing again someday soon.
Teresa Cleveland Wendel recently posted..Jimmy Riffle–Gator Boy
Thank you Teresa. I do proudly, in my car, as loud as I can!! Thank you for reading and commenting.
Tracy Leigh Ball
Tracy, just getting around to reading your story, and I wanted to share that I grew up in Nashville and was actually born on what is now called Music Row. You might have been safer on your own at that time and in that place. 🙂 You obviously had a dream you wanted to fulfill, and perhaps your parents hoped the same for you. The other painfully clear fact is that it started out badly and you got off on the proverbial wrong foot. Guts is what it took to walk away from unwanted advances, to end up on your own at 16 far from home, and survive to tell us the story. Good luck in your education, teaching and hopefully one day some of us will appear in your magazine!
Sherrey Meyer recently posted..Why Do You Write? (Part 2)
Thank you Sherrey. I stayed on Music Row, I worked on Music Row, I lived and breathed on Music Row. All my experiences were not all bad and I am not telling my story to attack the city of Nashville itself. But the life that surrounds its beauty, the night time that falls upon Nashville, the dark side that not every soul sees, needs to be seen in order for people to understand what it is really like for a small town kid goes through when thrown in with the big city setting and what can happen. It is not always pretty and needs to be addressed. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment and for sharing this part of your life as well.
Blessings,
Tracy Leigh Ball
Tracy, Nashville has changed in personality and culture so much since my days there. I moved away in 1983, but not before the entire downtown area became overwhelmed by the country music wave and the recording industry. Places I once enjoyed were no longer a safe get away after work for a lonely single mom; instead they were dark, unsafe and threatening to a woman alone. I understand that culture wouldn’t be easy for a 16-year old. I’m so glad you have the courage to tell your story. Many young women and men still strike out on their own without any knowledge of what they’re going to. Perhaps your story will help them see that knowledge is a benefit in many areas of our lives.
Good luck and blessings to you as well!
Sherrey Meyer recently posted..Why Do You Write? (Part 2)
Sherrey,
1983 was the year I started in that city. What a coincidence huh? Yes, I am hoping this will help at least one person, and one parent. I realize that times have changed but the hopes and dreams have not and the longing to be someone will always strive. It is how they do this that matters the most! Thank you so much for your insightful words and encouragement.
Tracy Leigh Ball
For a girl to do what you did Tracy, took real guts. Thankfully you arrived home alive.
Thanks Tom. I think we are fearless at that age, but to have to fend for our life is a different story. So I guess you are right, it took guts. I am thankful for making it home, but I am also thankful that I am able to tell and share my story. Now is the time. I am ready! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. Nice hearing from you!
Tracy Leigh Ball
Tracy, I like what you said about hoping that your story might help one parent or child about what can potentially happen if you are not aware.
Sonia Marsh/Gutsy Living recently posted..Check out my new office
Thank you Sonia. It is very important that I get this book out now. I know that it is 25 years later, but I am ready to really share and help others. Love your new office!
Thanks to you Sonia, you have given me the push that I needed to get started on this journey and I appreciate that so much!
Tracy
Tracy, what a cruel awakening to a cruel world. Who knows how many budding singers/actresses and their families are duped by these types of con men. I can only imagine the parts you didn’t write about, the having to survive, at 16, in one of the toughest cities in the country, and the horrible things that you saw. Good for you that you not only survived but came out a stronger person though it’s sad that you had to give up on your life’s dream. However, from the looks of it, there’s another future in-store for you as a writer. Good luck with your book.
Penelope J recently posted..Never Give Up on Your Dream
Bless your heart Penelope. Thank you so much for that lovely compliment. I have published and I have grown up since then. I still think about those memories and they will never go away. However, all is not lost and writing has taken the place of the song in my heart but not totally! Thank you for taking time to read and comment. Your words of kindness are greatly appreciated and this book will hopefully help someone else someday.
Blessings,
Tracy Leigh Ball