An Interview with Tony Straub

An Interview with Tony Straub
by Maria Rotondo

After a recent two-week drinking binge, Barroom Transcripts’ Tony Straub checked himself into the Substance Abuse Center at the Lancaster General Hospital/ Susquehanna Division in Columbia, PA, where he was asked to leave early because he was “running his own program.” MODE spoke with him shortly after he’d left.

MODE: What made you decide to go into rehab?

Tony: I’m a binge drinker and it was interfering with life [again], so I decided to do something about it. But I didn’t go through the whole thing. I was there twelve days and I thought I had enough. I’d been to one before, about ten years ago — they gave me these pills this week to stop the craving of alcohol. It seems to be working, I ain’t picked up since — I’ve been out since Tuesday and I ain’t picked up yet. Working helps keep my mind off of things, too.

MODE: Where do you work?

Tony: Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster. [I do] everything but the paperwork. I set up for receptions, art shows, parties — I get all dressed up and look cool.

MODE: What part of Barroom Transcripts best describes Tony Straub?

Tony: The Spy House. It was where I lived at the Stevens House. I had a lot of problems over there with them people. They thought I was a drug pusher, a pimp, ‘cause I had a lot of women up there. Girls like me a lot.

MODE: Why do you think that is?

Tony: My looks and intelligence. I sing, too. I’ve been singing for seven years.

MODE: In a band?

Tony: No, Karaoke. I’m the best one in Lancaster. Just ask me. When I walk in people say, “Here comes Tony, the entertainer.”

MODE: Do you have a lot of regrets?

Tony: None. None whatsoever. I wouldn’t have lived my life any different. I mean, I have my ups and downs, right? But I’m a survivor.

MODE: Your book shows your best side and your worst side.

Tony: Exactly.

MODE: What’s the most important thing to you right now?

Tony: My job. I love working there. [I’ve been there] for two years. I was an electrician for twenty years and I got tired of that. I work in high society now and I really love that type of atmosphere.

MODE: This is your first book. Do you think you’ll write another?

Tony: Yeah, I’ve been married three times and I have seven children. I have many stories to tell, but I do not want to talk about my military life. I’m very sad about that. [Vietnam] had a positive affect on my life, but who wants to talk about war?

MODE: Where do you think the future of the book lies?

Tony: I figure we’re going to sell about five or ten thousand in this town. Then if we get some contacts out of this town, like — what’s his name? Stern? Howard Stern. If he gets a hold of it he’ll go nutty, that guy. He’s a fruitcake, I don’t even like him. I seen his life story in the movies and he made a billion dollars off of a three-letter word: S-E-X. But I mean, he could really do something for us.