Jerry L – Fresno – 19th Spring Fest – Lodi CA

Jerry L – Fresno – 19th Spring Fest – Lodi CA

What can we learn from those who have battled addiction? This recording from the MD Tapes Archive captures Jerry L from Fresno sharing his raw and honest Alcoholics Anonymous story at the 19th Spring Fest in Lodi, California. Jerry sets the tone straight away, introducing himself as a "grateful alcoholic" and stressing AA’s single purpose.

From there, you’ll hear a life story that moves from cornfields in Nebraska to honky-tonk bar fights, long stretches in California prisons, and a devastating drink-driving crash that killed three people in his car. He doesn’t minimise any of it: "That’s the disease of alcoholism. That’s the selfishness, the self-centredness, and the self-seeking." The talk is packed with concrete AA experience rather than theory.

Jerry contrasts being "around Alcoholics Anonymous" with actually being *in* AA, and explains how things only changed when he "totally, completely surrendered" and became willing to follow directions, even when they seemed pointless, like making his bed every day. He shares how service in Hospitals & Institutions panels, sponsorship, and simple consistency turned him from a taker and user into someone others can rely on.

You’ll also hear about rebuilding family relationships, especially with his father and late brother, and how AA tools helped him stay sober through divorce, grief and everyday conflicts. His humour is dry, his language is plain, and he doesn’t shy away from tough love—just as his own sponsor once did for him.

Anyone interested in 12-step recovery, especially those feeling stuck, sceptical, or wrestling with repeat relapses, may find Jerry’s message hits home: sobriety, for him, is less about perfection and more about willingness, action, and helping "one drunk talking to another drunk." It’s a simple question he leaves hanging in the air: if life can get better like this, what have you really got to lose by giving recovery a proper shot?