EOR reunion... Hmmm!
One night at a gig, Colleen Ackerman mentioned to me that she would be putting together a surprise birthday party for one Tom Ackerman and that she would be interested in the possibility of an EOR reunion.
I told her I would see what I could do so on another occasion she handed me a list of cover songs from our past collection which she and a friend would like to hear us perform.

The following are some correspondence which took place between 3/12/08 and 5/2/08

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Hi Colleen,
I spoke with Billy last evening and I believe he is up for the challenge.
I gave him the list of songs including "Far Behind" by Candlebox and "I Alone" by Live.
I'll be speaking with TM tonight unless I speak with him earlier.
What I'm working on is a way to get your hubby to become re-acclimated with these songs.
I'll keep you posted.
Peace,
Jeffrey Harris
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Thanks Jeff. I'm glad that Billy is willing to do this and hope that Tom M feels the same way.
Good luck with the plan to get the birthday boy to practice the songs. Maybe a CD to practice for possible P&B songs or a "jam session" with EOR mates just for fun would work. I'll leave it to you.
This is getting exciting!
I really appreciate all of your help!
Col
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U R the missing link...stop
Otherwise, the reunion gig is on...stop
Colleen Ackerman has booked HoJo's ballroom for 3 May for a surprise 40th birthday party invitation only which includes the following bands:
P!$T-N-BROKE (of course)
Brown Dog Band (features Ack and MW)
Joey Ackerman's band (they have learned some Pantera, Iron Maiden and Ozzy for this special occasion)
And... a cameo reunion of 4 guys who used to hammer it out...End on Reality (providing you agree to it)

I spoke with Billy last evening since he called me and beat me to the punch and he has tentatively agreed to perform.
I also have agreed.
So you my friend, hold the trump card.
I will show up tonight with details.
I am hopeful to be there early tonight so we can discuss.
Jeffrey Harris
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You can give me the details and sure it would be a fun but you couldn't have picked a worse time.

Tom Mody
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Good...then no need to go into the details and just so you know, I told Colleen of your plans for a sex change operation and that you would feel uncomfortable being introduced on the stage as a girl formerly a man formerly of EOR.
I also explained that because of your new gender, you would also feel uncomfortable with Billy yelling across the stage "Toommmmmaaaayyyy...what's up duuuude?"
Plus I told her that I personally would have issue playing on stage with two girls cause I would be afraid that former friends and band mates may be looking at my goods when I am unguarded...she agreed that Tom would probably have the same issue.
The back stage dressing room thing wouldn't work either.
These are just a few items I could think of at first glance...but I have noticed that your voice seems to be getting better as a vocalist so the female hormone injections you are receiving seem to be working well...I'm a bit concerned about my recording career at this point.
Talk to ya soon honey,
Jeffrey Harris
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Colleen,
Unfortunately, and sadly, Tom M. will not be able to commit to this.
I had a candid conversation with him and although he would love the opportunity to do so, the timing couldn't be worse.
I'm unsure if there is any other alternative which you would like to explore but I believe this one, unfortunately is a dead end for now.
Perhaps having MW & MG and myself learn the tunes will be fun enough for him, I dunno.
Heck, at that point we might as well just include them in our set but I don't think MW likes some of those tunes.
Let's give it some thought.
If you come up with better ideas please notify me.
Sorry I didn't have better news.
Jeffrey Harris
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Jeff,
I wanted to get back to you before you practice tonight.
No problem with the phone call the other night.........I know how it is with work as it has been CRAZY here lately! Did you get my message regarding some songs the boys are working on? I believe that they would like you to sing Crazy Train and an Alice in Chains tune.
Also, FYI......Tom called me here at work today very upset as he thinks I am planning a party for him this Saturday and am having the gig cancelled! I guess Mark told him today that if Matt can't make it, you'll have to cancel the gig at SNB. I'm not sure if this is a real problem or if Mark "April fooling" Tom but he thinks I am behind it.
I guess this is a great diversion from the truth but I'm not sure how much fun it will be having him mad at me until Sat! Just thought I'd warn you since you'll probably hear about it at practice. also, Please think of a way to keep Billy involved even if Tom M. can not make it. End result, it's all about having a good time without any incidence…
Coleen
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do you think there may be a chance for you to jam a song or two at this point or do you stand firm on your first assessment?
Jeffrey(bored to "pieces")
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tell me what to learn and we'll play it by ear- FYI - the hammer came down on me this weekend but I guess that was a good thing as I know stuff is working. Back to good health today
Tom Mody
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Take your pick:
Fuel - Metallica
Sex Type Thing - STP
You - Candlebox
Far Behind - Candlebox
I Alone - Live
Play That Funky Music - Wild Cherry
Dirty White Boy - Foreigner
Jeffrey Harris
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I'm not playing Dirty fucking white fucking boy!!
Fuel may be a bit ambitious for me, probably sex type thing and I alone.. we'll see
we should play Towers : )
Tom Mody
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Jeff,
I just received an e-mail from Tom M. He said there is a 50/50 chance that he may be able to play a few songs at the b-day party. Just wondered if you had some particular songs in mind and if you had figured a way to get Tom A. to practice them. (I betting on the 50% that you'll be playing)
Colleen
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Yes, I had worked Tom over a little bit today and he obliged a little.
I gave him the list to choose from and he chose two - "Sex Type Thing" & "I Alone"
If you would like, see which songs by Pantera the boys had learned and they may be something which we played in the past, we played 2 or three. Tom M may be up for jamming those, he likes them better than the others. just let me know and I will work on it.

There will be no promise attached to Tom's conceding to this as I understand it. it will prob be touch and go.
But he can re-learn, if you will, the songs to be prepared just in case.
I hope it all works out. sounds like a lot of fun!!
Jeffrey Harris
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Hey guys,
I have alot of stuff going on with Tom's surprise b'day party that I have been discussing with Colleen.
Tom Mody may be able to do a couple of tunes so she would like us to pretend that we are going to do them as PnB if you guys have no objections.
Jeffrey
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I may come down for your sound check- what's the amp arrangement for me.
Tom Mody
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Billy called me Saturday and before he could ask, I told him to add Green Manilishi to the list. he about shit himself as he told me that was why he had called to ask if we could add that song...that's kinda weird and I got goosebumps when he said that...he was extremely excited like Billy of old...
Jeffrey
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Mody would like to know if he could just play through your amp/rig for Tom's b'day thing and if so he would like to know what that consists of...otherwise he will bring his over.
Jeffrey
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Hey jeff
Sure Tom can use my rig.
It is a Marshall triple super lead 100, Carvin Legacy 4-12 cab, Digitech rp200 multi effect, Zack Wilde wah. Feeling pretty good now!
Mark
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Jeff,
I will do my best to keep Tom out of town and away from Mark W's on Sat. So far, all his gear is still packed in the trailer. I just hope with the rain, he doesn't get bored and set up to practice at home! Do you know any back roads to Norwich? I'm sure I can figure something out
Tom will be doing a burial on Sat at about 12:30 but I am not sure where. I'd hate to have him meet you on the road! Yeah, that would make him nervous seeing his trailer on the road behind my truck.
Colleen