Remembering AJ
Tim Diaz
I started to get to know AJ well back when Jeff Fowlkes and I were in Robert Bradley's Blackwater Surprise. When we would play in New York, we would spend a considerable amount of time getting "verbally abused" while hanging out with AJ. His accent always made the abuse bearable. In the last year AJ became a very large part of my life and the Tim Diaz Band. What I'd like to really say about AJ; his spirit walked about ten feet in front of him at all times letting everyone know that he was about to make an enterance. When working with him he would make fun of you and then make fun of himself to make sure we were all standing on the same level piece of earth. I don't know anyone that ever met him that he didn't leave and impression on. He could have easily been a cartoon character and maybe was......he will never leave my heart. I love you AJ.
Steve Taylor
Bass player for the Tim Diaz Band
One of the things I'll always remember about A.J. is the way that he would greet me. Sometimes we'd arrive at a place at different times, and we'd be in the same room for awhile without really getting a chance to say "hello." As soon as an opportunity presented itself A.J. would always approach me and say "Hey Steve, how have you been, man? How is (my wife) Megan?" And he was so sincere about it. So genuine.
We played a show at the Emerald Theater recently with the Tim Diaz Band. We were jamming out on our last song (The Allman Bros. "Midnight Rider") when Tim called for a breakdown. We all stepped to the side of the stage and let Jeff and A.J. rock out. Jeff kept a steady groove and A.J. did his thing. I was standing just a few feet to his left, watching him play. His eyes were looking down, and he had that great little A.J. grin on his face. You could tell he was into the beat and really enjoying himself. He had a wonderful sense of joy when he played. It was one of those moments onstage where everything felt right. As a musician, it is those moments that you play for. They don't happen every show, but when they do, they remind you of why you started playing in the first place. That was the last time I saw A.J. Three days later he was dead. A bright light extinguished all too early. I want to hold onto that last moment onstage. That is where A.J. will live in my mind. That is where I will always look for him.
Amy Fowlkes
Guest Singer for the Tim Diaz Band
When I think about AJ so many things come to mind. The countless nights of extreme euchre games (always having to explaing the difference between spades and clubs, regardless of the fact that we had played together for over 4 years). All of the barbeques and parties that we would have between his house and ours - even back in the "treehouse" days. The little trips that we would take. Even just kicking back to watch movies (that his son Ian would recommend) and roast chestnuts. So many memories cram packed in the 5 years that I knew him. AJ was like family to us, and we would do anything for him. Just as he was always here for Jeff and I. If we ever needed a helping hand he was there. Actually, come to think of it, AJ went house hunting with us. He was with us when we walked through our 20th house, which was to be our future home, and he helped us paint it. I can still here his voice as we checked it out. He knew it was the one and he was so happy for us. Every single day that I wake up and as I lay down to go to sleep at night I can't help but think of AJ. I still can't believe that he is gone. I miss him so much. I wish that all of this was just a bad dream, but I know that it is not. Now we go day to day trying to live our lives as before, but how do you do that exactly? Things just don't seem to sparkle like they used to. AJ will always have a special place in my heart and in my memories. Now that I know can never be taken from me. My dear friend AJ, I love you. Rest in Peace