‘An artistic death’

Singer and band leader Laura Jane Willcock, 58, is the leader of the seven-piece San Diego soul, funk and rock revue The Tighten Ups, which she co-founded in 2007. Their latest release is the 2019 concert video “Live at the Belly Up.” thetightenups.com

The Tighten Ups played our last show at Old Town Blues Club in Temecula on March 12, 2020. The band sounded fantastic for three sets of rock and soul, with Joey Harris on guitar, Meri Claire on trombone, Rene Woolley on drums and Neil Mckenzie on trumpet, with valued subs Jonny Viau sitting in on sax for Topher Williams, and Jef Kmak on bass for Gerry Wasson.

Starting at the (pre-show) load-in, I knew that this would be one of those days you never forget: “The Last Show Before ...” We were advised not to hug anyone, but I did. I wondered if it was worth it. Our band didn’t hang together on breaks. We spread out — fear of infection was already creeping in.

The crowd was lively for a Thursday in Temecula on the brink of a total disaster. Happy patrons danced, drank and tipped the band. I made some kind of knee-jerk “Corona” beer joke that was timely but creepy. We had been hired to play the Temecula Blues Festival on April 18, 2020, but the owner of Old Town Blues Club whispered in my ear the city had canceled the event and that it wasn’t public knowledge yet, so: “Keep it to yourself for now.” We all went home, and that was that.

My life as an unemployed entertainer has been a hearty mix of life’s gifts, submission and finding my sea legs. My work’s focus has been to entertain in live, in-person formats. Boom! Gone! There is a lot of pain involved with having every single job canceled indefinitely. An artistic death. “Non-essential” (still). The first three months were the worst. I missed audiences, Dj-ing on Hornblower cruises, family weddings, emceeing, The Tighten Ups and my Michigan band’s annual reunion tour.

Fact: I do not have an easy relationship with virtual video performance.

Through the AIDS epidemic, 9/11, Katrina, beloved cats’ medical crises, etc., we’ve all entertained at fundraisers, helping people come together to laugh, give and heal. It’s a role I feel called to. This pandemic was fought without me helping people so much, but with many coming to my aid.

Fans, family and friends are the best!

Lori Lower made super cool masks and donated proceeds, Jane and Gary St. John chucked a multi-pack of toilet paper over the fence, and I received so many thoughtful notes, calls and little presents. All truly needed, especially before they figured out unemployment money for the self-employed. I am forever grateful!

My wonderful boyfriend, Thomas Yearsley, pushed my audio engineering and mixing talents into distracting, beautiful, creative spaces at his Thunderbird Analog Recording Studio in Oceanside and for his label. Lux Records, which released albums in 2020 by Thunderlux and The Charles Burton Blues Band. We also have two releases slated in 2021 by Reagan “Guitar” Williams and Chimpos. I’m interning like a champ!

More icing on my COVID cake: I am a guest singer on Reagan Williams’ roving trailer stage, which makes North County’s beaches and parks feel like The Casbah for a few songs here and there. I got hella crafty, too, doing various screen-printing and button-making projects. Songwriting sessions are going well.

Last week, I got my first vaccine! Our granddaughter will be born in late May, and The Tighten Ups are booked for the Temecula Blues Festival on Oct 16. Things are looking up! But I really really, really miss my band. They are the best. We are magic together. I don’t feel legit without them, or you.

“My life as an unemployed entertainer has been a hearty mix of life’s gifts, submission and finding my sea legs.”

BILL WECHTER