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Guitarist getting his groove back

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, Sep 21 2011 04:31 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, Sep 21 2011 04:31 PM

It's no fun discussing health problems among musicians, especially when the thing you love to do could be brought to a halt in a split second.

Over the course of my own musical career, I've known many musician friends who've fallen into hard times with their health. That is scary, especially when things on the outside appear to be completely normal.

Such is the case with Robert Tidwell, guitarist for Bakersfield rockabilly blues quartet Token Okies, who suffered a debilitating stroke in April.

His medical setback is a reminder about the fragility of life, even when our artistic forces make us feel like we're made of steel.

Tidwell, 51, agreed to share what happened to him with our readers:

It was another quiet sunrise at the Tidwell residence the morning of April 5.

Back to the daily grind after a week of five consecutive shows, Tidwell was satisfied, knowing he'd rocked the roof off Buck Owens' Crystal Palace and Pyrenees Cafe with his band.

"That week was a good run of shows. We had a blast and tore the place up. It was like we could do no wrong. People were dancing and singing. You got the momentum going and everything makes you feel unstoppable," he said. "I was a little stressed by my job, but I was trying to relieve it by playing music like anybody else would."

Looking forward to the weekend and another round of hell- raising, he couldn't ignore that there was something noticeably different about this day as he prepared to leave for his job as a security consultant. What would usually be a post-coffee swagger in his stride seemed annoyingly out of step.

"I get up at 6 a.m. and have to be at work at 7:30 a.m. every day," he said. "I just put the coffee on, watch the morning news and take off. Sunday and Monday were both typical days. I felt good when I woke up on Tuesday, then I began feeling strange, kind of in a daze. My face was sagging. I couldn't whistle and control my facial muscles. I sounded like I was talking with a mouthful of marbles."

Tidwell's wife, Angela, was soon driving her husband to the emergency room at San Joaquin Community Hospital.

After being examined by doctors, he got the official word: He'd suffered a stroke sometime during his sleep.

Shocked by the news, anger and disappointment quickly set in along with a vision of his future. Fearing his motor skills would worsen, he thought he might not be able to play music again. He was laid up for two days in a hospital bed before being transferred to another facility to begin the rehabilitation process. Fortunate to walk and talk better than some of his fellow patients, Tidwell was still devastated.

"They describe the aftermath of a stroke as 'the invisible injury.' People told me how I looked physically fit, and I had good skin color," he said. "No one in my family has ever had heart problems. It's very depressing to be incapacitated. I was just mad and I wanted to get over this thing."

After another few days, the ax man called for one of his guitars.

"The first time I played, it was like dead strings, no sound. I could feel it, and I didn't lose control," he recalled.

"My stroke was on the right temporal lobe, which affects the opposite side of your body. Oddly enough, it's also the side that controls your artistic ability. My left hand wasn't responding quickly enough and I realized I couldn't play. When I got home, I tried and tried. I fell into a deep depression."

For the next four months, Tidwell didn't give in to the limitations imposed by his condition. He followed doctors' orders and formed his own regimen of exercises to bridge his senses.

"The brain is an amazing thing. You find out how to deal with things. I knew I'd have to think about a pattern, and not just play chords on my guitar. I've been playing along with videos, downloading tablature. I was trying to work on my rockabilly and Western swing, the pulls and pushes. The timing was bad. Playing 'Tulsa Time' is just two chords. You laugh at how easy it is before, but now nothing is easy."

Feeling his licks return at last, Tidwell still isn't rushing things. In August, he joined his bandmates for a show. But instead of jumping back to rockin' till he drops again, he plans on giving family and friends a show of gratitude when he takes the stage with his band at the Crystal Palace on Wednesday and Thursday.

"Playing music and making friends over the years is something I cherish. I was left wondering if it was ever gonna come back. I especially appreciate the support I've received from the Crystal Palace. That goes a long way. I'm still not 100 percent quite at what I was, but I'll try."

Without wanting to get preachy to his fellow musicians, Tidwell said he has changed his lifestyle for the better. And, for him, the benefits have done wonders for his groove.

"I started working on an exercise program and lost 20 pounds. I got a couple road bikes I ride a few hours a day. I can't drink like I used to, only two drinks a day, beer or wine. No more liquor. I'm not trying to portray myself as a rock star; I just don't take anything in life for granted."

Joining Tidwell will be drummer Kirby Shropshire, bassist Mark Powell, and Geri Boyd on keyboards and vocals.

The Wednesday and Thursday shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free. Buck Owens' Crystal Palace is located at 2800 Buck Owens Blvd.

Matt's pick

The 44's at Pyrenees Cafe, 601 Sumner St., 9 p.m. today, free, 323-0053.

There's blues, and then there's the greasy kind of blues that make you wanna jump out of your seat and stomp out loud. This L.A. quartet will have you doing that and more when they slide into town tonight. Featuring guitarist Johnny Main, former WAR harpist Tex Nakamura, drummer Jason Lozano -- son of the Los Lobos bassist Conrad Lozano-- and Mike Turturro on bass, this is a tight group of California bluesmen.

"We play in-your-face, gut-bucket blues. We get there, plug in and tear people's heads off," said Main.

This will be the group's second appearance since opening for Whiteboy James in August.

"We got a really good response, better than L.A., where people have their arms crossed," added Turturro.