The Justified Boys
Four farmer’s kids did their morning chores, met up, and wandered woods, fields, and streams until dinner bells.
Raylan, Arlo, Boyd, and Art dreamed music most nights. Some might think it was a shared mission sent from up above.
After harvest, each boy was given a small share of what was left after expenses. Raylan bought an electric guitar; Arlo, drum kit; Boyd, a keyboard; and Art, a banjo.
All that fall, through winter, and every fall and winter after, they practiced in Raylan’s barn.
Fifty years later, they are still playing watering holes and fairs in three counties.
[99 words]
“Justified” is a series I’ve been binge-watching for a couple of weeks. The characters in my story are names of characters on the show. None of them are musicians, but I wanted to pay tribute to them in a fun way. Here ya go, boys!
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields is the affirming host of Friday Fictioneers.
Tao Talk 
Oh yeah. That’s how a lot of great bands got started. The Allman Brothers comes straight to mind. Great stuff!
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Thank you very much. I love The Allman Brothers!
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A nice story Li.
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:) Thanks!
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You’re welcome!
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LOL, wouldn’t it be nice of the characters could get all their feelings out in music like this? Of course that would make for a less interesting show, and Justified IS a great show. Love your take on this.
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That’s doing it for the love of the art.
I’ve never seen Justified, but I loved Deadwood.
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Not the big time, but they seem happy
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I am such a fool for that opening. Gangstagrass never fails to get my blood pumping.
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I know what you mean. Glad to know you’re a fan of the show :)
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I am such a huge Boyd-Crowder fan. His intellectual spew kept me totally engaged.
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Nice, feelgood story!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thanks, Susan.
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Better happy without famous than famous without happy
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Tru Dat. These guys have it all.
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Loved this, the idea of a lifetime just doing what they loved for no other reason than that.
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Glad you liked the story, Iain, thanks.
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Well, as long as they are still playing music together … :) Nice one!
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:) Thanks Na’ama.
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Dear Lisa,
I liked the way you had your binge watch characters form a band. If I did that with the ones I’m binge-watching, it would have to be Captain Sisko, Commander Worf, Odo and Quark from Deep Space Nine. That would make an interesting band, wouldn’t it? ;) Good story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, Rochelle, it would. Glad you enjoyed the story.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Good on them to follow their dreams :)
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Yes :)
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That would have been a much better way to work their differences out.
Mine would be..Barney, Wojo, Dietrich, and Fish. Not the same ring to it for a musical group though.
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Cool. That band would sound an awful lot like the one “the girls” were talking about in Death Proof before they got snuffed.
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Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich…they were good!
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OMG you know the band. That song was good. Will you feature one day??
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Your wish is my command…
https://powerpop.blog/2019/07/23/dave-dee-dozy-beaky-mick-tich-hold-tight/
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Wow and I see I “liked” the post. My memory must be failing me. Awesome! (on the song, not my memory loss)
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LOL… there is no way Lisa we can remember all the posts we read…or write. That is the reason I made my index so I wouldn’t repeat. I repeated a few and got fed up.
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This made me think of bloggers who, like me, write purely for fun with no thought of ever have stuff published!
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Great story, and very true to life. My son is like that, playing Ska with a band, and loving every moment of every gig. He loves it when patrons get up and dance.
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Awesome, Penny. Live music has magic in it.
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If one loves music never stop playing. Your story reminded me of many happy moments when music entered my days
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Nice to know you’re a musician, Mike. What instrument(s)? Do you still play?
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if they last 50 years, they may not be that bad. at least, they have found their niche. :)
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Thank you for your thoughtful comment, yes and yes.
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I thought those names looked familiar. My boyfriend and I love the TV series, Justified! It’s HILARIOUS. This song is awesome. Thanks for sharing!
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I am glad you like the show, it has more than its fair share of humor :)
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I’m glad they followed their dream!
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There is a homely good feel to your story, nice.
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Thanks, James!
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What a heart-warming, uplifting story. I hope your friends get a lift from your honoring them.
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I got uncomfortable about calling them “friends” so I went back and checked–my bad, they were named for characters in the show. Sometimes it pays to pay attention to that little itch in the back of the brain :)
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That’s ok, Linda. After so many seasons of watching them, they feel like friends!
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Yes, Ma’am :)
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I was reading this, thinking… hey… those are the names of guys in Justified! And I JUST told Rochelle she should watch it. Too funny. And such a fantastic series.
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Glad you’re a fan, Dale. Just started on the final season last night.
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I loved it!
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I loved the way they didn’t make it big but made a living out of doing what they enjoyed. Great stuff
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Glad you enjoyed the story, Michael, thank you.
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A fun post. Sounds like their love for music paid off in that they got to play when they wanted.
Oh and I love that show!
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Yes, they had the best of all worlds. Kept farming, practiced after dinner, played on the weekends, and kept their friendships together. I’m getting close to the finale. It’s my second time watching from beginning to end, and I’m sure there will be more. I love it too!
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