Robert Rowe

Garage Songs Robert Rowe

Garage Songs is the story of the Brice Family. The year is 1983 and Galvin Brice is expanding his Chevy dealership in his quest to outwit his rival Skip Lee and sell the most cars in Merriam Hill, Massachusetts. His 18-year-old son, Donny "Donk" Brice, is a golden boy. He's a football player, guitarist, and freelance philosopher with opinions on everything. Can Donk learn his crossover steps and land a football scholarship while figuring out the meaning of life? Meanwhile, his 16-year-old brother, Kuba "Spaz" Brice is hyperactive and insecure. He's a practical joker who loves writing songs, hiking, and trying to impress Donk's buddies. Can Kuba succeed in his quest to become "more loved" than Donk? Perhaps the most talented Brice is the 17-year-old sister Raina who sings in the school chorus and a local rock group. Can Raina navigate the unforgiving music business and find success? Lastly, the mom, Marna Brice is an ex-beauty queen who's trying to raise her children in a rapidly changing culture. Garage Songs mixes comic hilarity with philosophy and tragedy. The cast of supporting characters is memorable. The best friend Scott Pushkoff is convinced every girl in Merriam Hill is "in love" with him. Aunt Bee begins mixing bloody Marys at noon. The Irish salesman Fallon Moran is fast and loose with Galvin's money. Coach Brewer teaches the boys tough love, telling them: "Spare me the labor pains, show me the baby." Pastor MacDonald offers the family spiritual guidance, saying: "You can't fool Him." Above all, Garage Songs is a novel of our times. Galvin Brice's quest for business success in a town that values money over substance, and bankers who place profit ahead of people. Kuba's search for a true friend in a society that doesn't value friendship. Raina's search for success as a singer in a culture that places fame ahead of talent. In short, Garage Songs is a novel about music, those who have music, those who do not, and that rare ability to know the difference. The wonder of Garage Songs is the novel's ability to reveal, amid our human flaws, the redeeming parts that reside in us all.