On the night of January 28, 2011, I ventured out of my home and headed towards downtown Nashville, TN. At that point, it was a fairly cool and breezy night--a far less frigid circumstance from the strangely snow-filled winter of late. I barrelled down the I-40 around 8:30 PM with the hopes of seeing some friends of mine play a show at a small club in east Nashville called the 5 Spot. Tucked neatly inside a part of town called Five Points, this club is a part of a tapestry of bars, clubs, art galleries, and restaurants frequented by many locals and scenesters alike.
As often as I've been to this area, I'd never actually been to the 5 Spot. Parking at or near the venue was a bit of a mystery to me. So, I decided to park at my usual place-- near the corner of 11th St. and Russell just about a block down from The Pied Piper Creamery and Bongo Java. I've never once failed to find parking on this street. It was a no-brainer that put me within a five minute's lazy walk towards the venue.
I managed to nab a spot just a few feet from the corner of 11th and Russell. I got out of my car and headed north. Just as I stepped onto the sidewalk, I heard a voice say something mildly distinguishable. I turned around to find two people walking towards me. One was holding something up towards me while the other stepped ahead and moved even closer. It took me a couple of seconds to register in my mind what was happening, but there it was in plain sight.
A gun was pointed right at me within five feet of where I stood. I remember feeling my own heart beat pounding through my chest. My mind was full of panic beyond belief.
By this point we were all standing right at the corner of 11th and Russell. I was told to drop what I had. The gunless assailant was trying to feel around my pockets until I reached down and took my wallet out. As I handed it to them, I asked if I could keep my driver's license--it was the only thing of any value that I had and would be the quickest way someone could identify my body and contact my family at home if I was left unconscious, or much worse, on the street.
They said I could keep my driver's license, but quickly changed their minds. In a swift flash, they grabbed my wallet and ran away, two unknown robbers running at a feverish pace down Russell St. and away from me.
As all of this happened, there was a car that stopped in the middle of the road about 30 to 40 feet from where we stood. It sat idling on the street as the entire thing happened. I noticed it in the corner of my eye because it even partially honked it's horn as I was being held up. I hoped it was someone just passing by who might be calling the police, but it just sat there.
After the robbers ran off, I started to walk north to the nearest bar. I was just about to pull out my cell phone when I noticed the mysterious car inching forward and following me. My gut was telling me that this was not good and that I needed to get to a public place as soon as I could. I let go of my phone and kept it in my pocket. I walked fast to the nearest bar and went inside. The car veered off to another side street as I reached the bar.
From there, I called 911 which notified the police immediately. Within two minutes, an officer had arrived. I was asked to describe what the assailants looked like. I tried my best to recall what I saw, but most of it was a blur. Based on what I could remember, several officers combed the entire area to find two young males who fit the description. I stayed with the officer as he filed his report. We sat in his copcar and out of the increasingly cold night.
After more than twenty minutes, it was clear that the two robbers could not be found. I gave my contact information to the cop. He drove me back to my car by the corner of 11th and Russell.
Defeated in my quest to see my friends at the 5 Spot, I got back in my car and drove straight home.
There are some other details I would like to share.
I am, by no means, a gun expert, but the weapon in question was rather large. It sported a silver and metallic finish and a round, grooved chamber in the middle. I've been told that this fits the descritpion of a revolver.
The police officer who heeded my call was, as it turns out, very kind. He answered all of my questions and offered a comforting presence. I was all freak-out and terrified but felt better with his help. I'd like to send him a note to thank him somehow for doing what he did on my behalf.
In my wallet, I only carried the 5 dollars I needed to get into the 5 Spot. In the end, the robbers had that much in their pockets after all their troubles. I spent a sleepless late night calling banks and working online to ensure my financial safety.
Lastly, the assailants were two young black males. One of the most upsetting things about this whole thing is that when I say "young", I mean that they had to be within the 12 to 14 year-old age range. Neither one of them was taller than me, and well, let's face it--that's not very tall. They could have easily been in middle-school. I remember looking into their faces and asking myself WHY are you doing this? They should have been in a community center playing basketball or having dinner with their families. WHY WERE THEY DOING THIS? They were so young. I have several nephews of my own, and I would give my life to keep them from doing something like this. This totally floored me.
For the record, east Nashville is a great part of town. I've played shows there. Celebrated birthdays. Had numberous lunches and dinners with friends. The businesses and homes in the area deserve better than this. I don't know what kinds of systemic problems are ushering young adolescents to commit crimes in this area, but I hope this city is making an effort to address them.
It pains me to say this, but in all honesty and for right now, east Nashville is not my friend. You will not find me going there for quite some time.
As I write this, I am now two days removed from what happened. I'm still kind of in shock from it all. While I am relieved that I did not get hurt or killed, I still feel really crappy about it all. The few times I've been able to tell someone what happened, I've gotten all teary-eyed and emotional over it.
I know myself well enough to know that though I am physically alright, I am, significantly, not okay.
I consider myself a very independent person. I sustain a thoughtful, private life full of times spent in contemplation and going to all kinds of places all by myself. This is part of an internal universe that helps to sustain my spirit and my creative life. I now find myself seriously questioning all of this. I'm supposed to go out on tour in May, and thoughts of scrapping all of those plans whisper to me.
Phone calls and sweet messages and comments on Facebook from all of my friends and family have been a saving grace. I feel like I have an army of people ready at a moment's notice to lift me up. I can't tell you how proud and special this makes me feel. I love you all so much.
So, there it is as it all happened. I'm writing this down to answer many of your questions. For my own sake, I felt it necessary to document those dark and cold moments. I want to put this behind me, and I'm hoping this will help.
So for now, I'm not okay. It's been a struggle for me to even admit this. But in time, I surely hope that I will be. This is the best I can do for now.
You're a beautiful spirit, Gordon. Thanks for sharing this with us. I feel the answers and peace you seek will come to you, all in its good, healing time. I'll be praying for you!
Meredith
Posted by: Meredith Freeman | 01/30/2011 at 08:17 PM
Dearest Gordon...Terribly sorry to hear this has happened to you. I, myself, was help up in East Nashville on Dec 6, 1988 on my way home from the bus stop at Shelby & 6th Street. You will one day find the strength and nerve to go back to where you once went. Just take your time and realize you are in shock & traumatized from facing a near death experience. I am thankful you didn't resist as it could have been FAR worse if you had. Your best bet is to seek out a counselor to help you work through your feelings and fears. Please let me know if I can be of help in any way. Your neighbor in Hermitage, Penny
Posted by: Penny Tyler | 01/31/2011 at 01:14 AM
Hey Gordon, I am so sorry that you went through what you did. Meredith is right. You ARE a dear sweet beautiful soul. I went through a crisis several years ago that caused me to go into shock and have PTSD. I have been through counseling to help deal with it and have released a lot of emotions. I also meditate, do yoga, and creative things to help heal from it. Do whatever you have to do in order to get better. The work is worth it and it has made me a stronger person. As your friends have said, take your dear sweet time to heal, one day at a time. Love you. Jen
Posted by: Jen Davenport | 01/31/2011 at 11:13 AM
Hey Gordon, So sorry this happened to you my friend. Praying for you brother. Alofa atu, Folole
Posted by: Folole | 02/04/2011 at 09:11 AM