Patrick Tape Fleming

Still, what a gift he’s been.

Rudy invited me to join him on Discograffiti “S.O.S.”podcast, where we talk about perfect songs. Somehow, this week marks the 100th episode. Yes, you heard that right. Rudy has recorded, edited, and released over 100 episodes in the past two years, all while being a devoted dad to two amazing girls, speaking at conferences about his diagnosis, writing with raw honesty about cancer, creating music (A ROCK OPERA about Cancer), sharing stories, and continuing to live with purpose. He is, without question, a medical marvel — and he hasn’t wasted a single moment of the life he’s been given.

When Rudy chose the song “Orioles at Dusk” by 22º Halo for this episode, I didn’t know what we were getting into. I loved it right away, with its anxious, driving indie rock pulse and lyrics about baseball stadium lights, capacity, and distance — sung with that rare mix of fear, fragility, and confidence.

But then I heard Rudy’s take on it. He connected it to his own experience with cancer, the pain and the heartache of it, and the way it ripples through the lives of everyone who loves you. His interpretation was so raw, so human, that it brought us to teary eyed states.

That’s what music does. It binds us together in our pain, our love, our survival.

And it brought me back to my dad.

My father’s battle with cancer was short — just 45 days from diagnosis to the end. It was during the height of COVID, when the world already felt distant and fragile. Those weeks were filled with phone calls, hope, and heartbreak. The last text message I ever sent him was about our shared love of baseball. My son Nilsson had made him a baseball picture, and I told him that his treatment was just like spring training — that he had to keep working working hard, keep believing, because we’d be watching baseball together that summer.

But that summer never came.

I did, though, get to be there with my mom and siblings when he passed. And I carry that moment with me everyday.

Baseball has always been the perfect metaphor for life — patience, timing, hope, heartbreak, and the long game.

And somehow, it even connects Rudy and I now too.

When Rudy came to visit this year, he only had a few days. Sure, we caught a Wedding Present show in the Twin Cities, but most of his time here was spent sitting on the ground at my son’s little league games, that he was playing and I was coaching. I felt bad that he’d flown all the way from the East Coast only to spend his days watching nine-year-olds miss grounders.

But Rudy didn’t mind. He told me later that being with our little family was exactly what he needed.

And honestly, Rudy — you were exactly what we needed too.

As Warren Zevon said when he faced cancer, “Enjoy every sandwich.” Rudy lives that truth every single day.

I miss my dad all the time. I think about him every time I see a baseball, and I think of Rudy every time I hear a perfect song. And now, I can’t imagine a world without Rudy in it — someone who understands the healing power of music, friendship, and simply showing up.

So here’s to Orioles at Dusk.

Here’s to my dad.

Here’s to Rudy — to 100 episodes, to recording 100 more! and to every note that keeps us going in this imperfect, unfair, beautiful world.

Congrats on 100 episodes, my friend. I love you.

You can listen to the 100th Episode for FREE on Discograffiti Patreon.. Thanks Dave Gebroe for making this possible! Listen here! https://www.patreon.com/posts/230a-soldiers-of-142065436...

 

By Patrick Tape Fleming