Even before he was arrested in Prague, we were fans of Lamb of God vocalist Randy Blythe’s Instagram account. It turns out that he embraces the social network as a sort of diary. It also turns out that he’s a great writer and a pretty incredible photographer. However, it was the time between his arrest and the accompanying trial that we really grew to appreciate him as a writer and photographer. After being in jail for nearly a month, he began writing about the experience, and going back to face his trial, he took some great pictures that were interspersed with his thoughts about the trial. On Saturday, Blythe posted a picture of him and his wife with the following thoughts about what he’s done and where he’s gone since he was thrown into jail two years ago:
The woman beside me, my wife Cindy, texted me this morning telling me that 2 years ago today I was arrested in Prague. This made me a little emotional- a lot of things have happened in 24 months- for 14 of those months, I didn’t know whether or not I would be going to prison for 5-10 years. In those 24 months, I have toured the US, Europe, Asia, Australia/NZ, finishing in Africa just 4 1/2 months ago. I’ve had dear friends die, get married, have children. I’ve spoken at funerals, at a the premier of a movie about my band, I’ve gotten my own radio show where I’ve spoken to guys who’ve influenced me since high school. I’ve convinced friends to go to rehab, I’ve seen some stay sober & some not. Our 18 y/o cat Henry died, & we got our new cat, Salad. I’ve been pursued by a literary agent, convinced to write a memoir, & got a book contract. I’ve written & recorded music that was performed by the Richmond Ballet (this photo by @_brianbrown is from the premier), & I’ve sang on a project with one of my punk rock heroes. I’ve written band bios, record reviews, memorial pieces for dead friends for magazines. I’ve had my photos used by bands, & gotten a solo gallery exhibit scheduled for Spring 2015 in NYC I’m working on. I’ve written lyrics & most of my book. I’ve had good days & bad days. Two years ago today I was in jail, scared & wishing I was free & could go surfing. In a few moments, I will do just that- I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in my life. I’ve stayed sober one day, sometimes, one minute at a time throughout all this, & this woman has stuck by me as I fumble through this thing we call life. So I love you, honey! Thanks for sticking with me- I am 43 years old, & I am still learning & growing- it’s good to have a partner on the trip.
It’s great to read these words from Blythe. He sounds reinvigorated, and anyone that knows his battle with alcohol in the past might be encouraged to try sobriety themselves after reading how it’s helped him. While the book he’s writing based on his trial isn’t due out until next year, you can follow his exploits on Instagram until then.
