Page 65 of Pitiful Peaches

Jesse explained.“I’m not giving up, but something has to change.I am going to deal with my depression and addiction head-on.I can’t commit to this if I am on the road partying, meeting women, and having complete access to drugs.I think I might go visit my parents instead.I haven’t seen them in years, and they will let me crash on their couch for a while.”

“Is that what you really want?”

“I have to do this.It’s not something I can ignore.I know it affects the band members, but if I continue down this path, I will hurt them more than if I leave to work on myself,” Jesse claimed.

“Yeah, I am going to get a normal job.Your mom’s dinner reminded me of when I worked at a restaurant when I was about your guys’ age.I love cooking.I am grateful for everything I have been given, but fame is more than I bargained for.It will be nice to finally have some peace,” Mason said.

“Yeah, unlike Mason, fame is for me.I love being on the road.A band that used to open for us asked if I could drum for them during their next tour.I probably won’t see you guys for a long time.I hope everything starts looking up.Darren, if you ever need any tips for drumming let me know,” Keith added.

“This is it, then?”Darren asked.

“Not really.I think we will cross each other’s paths again,” I said, unruffled.If there was anything that James taught me, it was that love ran deeper than blood.We were a family now.

“Not to worry, I am going to be staying around.Jesse has volunteered to help me learn how to write lyrics.I think it’s time to start my own career,” Tonya said.

It was sad to hear that my favorite band was splitting apart.I grew up listening to their songs with James, and a hole formed in my heart when I thought I wouldn’t hear a new tune from them again.But it wasn’t about what I wanted.Sometimes, what was best was not what you wanted; it was what you needed.Jesse needed this just like I required Darren, my friends, my dog Fawn, my momma, music, and the memories of James to survive.Things would always change, but I could deal with it.

Harold Hayes peeked around the corner of the stage, revealing he had been listening to our conversation the entire time.“Would all of you go on the record about what happened this summer?”

I looked at the band, and my smile spread across the stage like fire.

****

ZIPPER

Jesse Young and The Matches Comeback and Retirement?

By: Harold Hayes Ft.Penny Hartley

Jesse Young and The Matches held a spectacular benefit concert in honor of James Hartley.The concert was sponsored by The Peach Pot, a rustic store located in Moose Creek, and Butterfield’s local Grocery Outlet.The concert raised over a whopping $3,000 for Hartley’s surviving family members, and Bret Beats and Darren Lawerence performed with Jesse Young and The Matches.

Bret Beats, a band that had previously intended to sue Jesse for using their sheet music, showed solidarity with the band by opening their concert in Butterfield.The band played covers of hit songs and signed over their rights of the hit single, “Pitiful Peaches” to the band and Ultimate Records.

Shortly after Bret’s performance, Jesse Young and The Matches took the crowd by storm.Penny Hartley gave an inspiring speech about her stepdad, James, who recently passed away, and shocked the crowd with her emotional rawness, reminding everyone to be kind and check in with their loved ones.The band performed their single for the first time live, increasing their fandom.

An inclusive interview with Jesse revealed that he did go to West-Brooke Rehabilitation Center, where he learned how to manage his anger and avoid substance abuse.He “apologizes for any harm he has caused” and plans to refund tickets for anyone who attended his show in Portland.He also revealed that he is taking a break from making music.“I need time to get back to my roots and figure my life out outside of touring.I hope I can go back on the road one day, but for now, our old albums and songs are still available to purchase.I thank my fans for their support as I face this journey,” Jesse addressed the public.

Despite our previous beliefs, Jesse Young and The Matches have proven to be good musicians who make mistakes like the rest of us.If you want to learn more about the band and Penny’s experience with them, head over to page four to read her extensive debut detailing the summer she met her favorite band, experienced her first loss, and fell in love.

The End