If You Have to Make an Impact, Don't Let It be Your Foot...

In 1996, Narrow Road had the opportunity to open for an artist/group called Eric Champion and Spin Cycle.  Eric Champion was an established CCM artist in the '90's, and we were grateful for the opportunity to be the supporting act at Temple Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR.

Narrow Road @ Temple Baptist Church, 1996

 At the end of every Road performance, as the last song built up for the big finish, I was known to jump off the stage, do a toe-touch in mid-air (inspired by David Lee Roth) then land within the crowd as the final cymbal crashed.

There was a large crowd at the Eric Champion gig, and I was hoping to make a big impact with the crowd at the onset.  Turns out, the biggest impact I made was largely on my left foot.

At the end of our first song, I decided to make my move: I jumped from the elevated stage into the crowd below.  The cheers erupted, and so did my foot.  Something wasn't right:  I was in no pain, yet I couldn't move my left foot after landing; it felt like jelly.  

The band broke into the next song, awaiting my arrival back upon the stage, and I managed to hobble up there.  I turned to our guitarist, Darren, and exclaimed, "I think I broke my foot!"

"Yeah!  Alright!" he replied with a smile, not hearing correctly over the din of noise.

"No, really!  I broke my foot!" I stated in raised voice.

"Oh!"  The look on Darren's face expressed the message was now received loud and clear.

He didn't know what to do and neither did I.  We had only finished our first song.  Pain had not yet hit me, perhaps due to adrenaline, and the show had to go on.  Thankfully, we made it through our set, albeit I was way-more stationary than usual.  In hindsight, I can only speculate that I looked like "The Mummy" up there:  Performing on stage while dragging my left leg/foot behind me.

After the show, I made my way home and prepared to take a hot shower.  My left foot was swollen, black and blue.  Was my foot actually broken?  I don't really know.  Perhaps I had simply torn some ligaments or tendons; I never went to the doctor.  A couple weeks passed before the numbness wore off and total movement returned.  Whatever the case, the entire event made an impact upon me.  

Just another chapter from having been in a Christian rock band...

Narrow Road members, pre-show, with Eric Champion (2nd from right), 1996

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     - K -