How Jaymz Larson was Almost Famous

Back in 1993, I was on my way to becoming a rock star. I was in a band and life was good. One more year of high school and we could start touring the world.

We called the group "Mortality." We were a heavy metal band that played covers of Metallica, Kiss, Aerosmith and many others. We practiced in my parents basement and my Mother hated it. We were loud and not that good. By looking at the picture above, we didn't look that good either. (I'm the one on the far right)

I still remember our first gig. It was a talent contest at our school auditorium. We had practiced for three weeks and the band was ready to rock the house. I was so nervous before the curtain opened I thought I was going to pass out. But as soon as the music started, and the audience started cheering, I was all good.

We played street dances, school functions and even birthday parties. It was a great part of my life and I never wanted it to end. We were living the dream. It didn't last long, but it was a great experience.

We got better.... but it didn't matter. The "rock star" thing wasn't going to happen. We were a garage band from Ortonville, Minnesota. Population 2,500. People loved us locally and in the surrounding towns, but that's as far as it went.

The band broke up when we all left for college. It was a sad day, but we all knew it was going to happen. It was time to cut the mullet and move on.

I never became a rock star and that's ok with me. I stayed in music and now I have a dream job here at 94.1 KRNA. I get to wake up and play music five days a week, on a 100,000 watt juke box. I'm able to interview bands and attend concerts...In my book, it's the next best thing.