Shimmy’s to hear Esther Mine sing. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, in black and in white, we managed to build our famiglia with all the shards and pieces we brought with us.
I’ve come to terms with Pop and the choices he made. I’m done holding that grudge and asking those questions. Maybe his choices allowed me to make better ones, and that’s all we can leave to our kids. A better choice.
The Barry Gray Show
WMCA Radio
Guest: Benny Lament
December 30, 1969
“Now folks, many of you are probably wondering why Esther Mine isn’t with us tonight. We had planned to have her here, hoped to have her here. Benny and Esther don’t typically do appearances without the other. But Christmas morning, Benny and Esther welcomed their third child into the world. A daughter?”
“That’s right. We have two sons—Bo and Jack—and now, a daughter. We named her Giuliana Maude after our mothers,” Benny says.
“I made history—talk-radio history—because of a call in to my radio program,” Barry Gray says. “I held the phone right up to the mic and had a conversation on air. The technology has improved a little since then, but I think it only appropriate to end this decade with another call. Esther, are you with us?”
“I’m here, Mr. Gray,” Esther Mine says. Her voice is a little tinny through the line, but it’s unmistakably her.
“Welcome to The Barry Gray Show, Esther. We wish you were here, singing with Benny, but I guarantee my audience is listening with bated breath.”
“I wish I could be there too, Barry. For old times’ sake. You’ve been with us from the beginning,” Esther says.
“I only have you for a few minutes, and Benny has told us so much—”
“I guarantee he hasn’t told you the good parts,” Esther interrupts, and Barry laughs.
“Tell us about your family. Where are your brothers now? We haven’t talked much about Lee Otis, Alvin, and Money.”
“We’ve got so much family, it’s hard to keep track,” she says.
“Lee Otis isn’t playing the drums anymore?” Barry Gray asks.
“Not in the band. Not after the first couple of years. It wasn’t his dream. It wasn’t the life he wanted for himself. But it paid his way through college. He’s Professor Mine now.”
“But Money’s still playing lead guitar,” Barry Gray inserts.
“Playing lead guitar and busting my chops. He and Esther keep me humble,” Benny Lament says.
“And Alvin? What about Alvin? I’ve never met a more likable guy,” Barry says.
“Alvin’s a reverend,” Esther answers. “He marched to Selma and has his own church. The Change Baptist Church.”
“Nobody prays like Alvin,” Benny says.
“And nobody plays like Benny,” Esther adds.
“Well, nobody sings like you do, Esther,” Barry Gray says. “We have to hear you sing before we go. I know singing for your audience through a phone line isn’t what you’re used to, but you and Benny end every show with the same song.”
“Yes, we do. We call it ‘Bombing’ the stage,” Esther says.
“Will you sing us a few lines, Esther?” Mr. Gray asks.
“Only if Benny will sing it with me. You there, Benny?”
“I’m here.”
“Don’t let me down, Benny Lament,” she says, and breaks into song.
“They call him the Bomb ’cause you never know when he’ll go off,” she croons.
“They call him the Bomb ’cause his swing makes the shingles blow off,” Benny counters, dropping the last note an octave, the way he always does.
“They call him the Bomb ’cause he’s big and loud,” Esther sings.
“They call him the Bomb ’cause he can level a crowd.” Benny’s voice is so deep on “level a crowd” that it sounds like a foghorn.
“He’s Bo ‘the Bomb’ Johnson, and you better watch out,” they sing together, bringing the song to an end.
Barry Gray claps and everyone laughs.
“Watch out, world,” Barry Gray says. “This duo isn’t done yet. Benny Lament and Esther Mine, thank you for being with us tonight, and thank you for showing us what change looks like. I, for one, am grateful.”
“Thank you, Barry,” Esther says.
“Thank you, Barry,” Benny echoes. “For everything.”
“Hey, Benny?” Esther pipes up like she’s going to finish the broadcast with a joke.
“Yeah?” Benny sounds as though he is braced for a punchline, a closing salvo, but instead Esther’s voice is clear and sweet.
“I love you, Benny Lament.”
“I love you too, Baby Ruth.”
“And on that note, Happy New Year, one and all. May we love each other better in the decade to come. This is Barry Gray at WMCA in New York, signing off. Good night, everyone.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I proposed