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Many people ask "Where did you get the name Clear Blue Betty?"
Well, naming a rock band is not always as glamorous as it may seem. We could make up an artistic story about how guitars floated down from the Blue sky, or how we are making a grand statement about Clarity. But in reality, we don't take ourselves that seriously. So instead here is the real story:
The "Clear Blue" part of the name was actually created quite randomly, but it can be credited to our original manager Christine Koth (Rob's lovely wife). The story is that she had a gig booked before the band even had a name. When the show promoters called her and needed a name immediately to start printing the advertisements, she tried her best to contact anyone in the band. Failing that, she did the most democratic thing she could think of and chose three words at random from the list of possible choices that were being considered.
Upon hearing their new name, the band members agreed to play the first show under this name under the condition that they would change it immediately to something 'better'. That was April of 2002.
The "Betty" part of the name is not so random. Beth insisted that the band name have the name "Betty" in it to honor her maternal grandmother who passed away unexpectedly just before Beth was born. Betty Ann was a poet, and passed this gift down to her daughter Sue (Beth's mom). Beth, in turn, is doing her best to carry on the tradition through her songwriting.
The story is best told through the following poem, written just prior to Beth's birth:
Elizabeth's Lullaby
by Sue DeKelver
This first night after my mother’s death
I cannot fall asleep in the guest room of her house.
The baby inside me rolls and rumbles after hours
in an airplane, more hours in a car.
In this dark and unfamiliar bedroom
I stroke my stomach and try to reach
through layers of flannel and flesh.
What was that lullaby Mom used to sing?
The boat is coming around the bend.
Good bye my lover good bye.
I don’t think her name is Laura, I tell my husband.
Would it be okay if we named her after my Mom?
But not Betty. How about Beth?
Beth is a pretty name, don’t you think?
He pats my hand as I rub my belly.
Yes. Sure, he says. Now try and get some sleep.
Lyrics float in and out.
Bye-oh-baby, bye-oh my baby.
Sleep, we need sleep.
And if I should return no more...
I roll onto my side.
…you’ll find me on a foreign shore…
and hug the comforter closer to my chest.
©2002-2007 Property of Clear Blue Betty (ASCAP)
Contact cbb_webmaster@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns.
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