Cap’n Zig Zags
Blues Band
A Blues Guitar, A War Zone, and a Story That Refused to Stay Silent
Before Vietnam, Curtis Marlatt was a young musician chasing gigs, late-night jam sessions, and dreams of making it in music. Then the draft arrived and changed everything. Cap’n Zig Zag’s Blues Band is a vivid memoir that follows one man’s unexpected journey from the counterculture movement of the late 1960s into the uncertainty of military service and war. Filled with music, friendship, humor, danger, and resilience, it is a story about holding onto your identity when the world seems determined to take it away.
Cap’n Zig Zags
Blues Band
Chapter 1
A young musician embraces the freedom of the late 1960s, chasing music, friendships, and dreams. Everything changes when the possibility of Vietnam enters his life.
Chapter 2
Faced with the reality of military service, Jon explores every possible option to avoid the draft before fate makes the decision for him.
Chapter 3
Basic training challenges both body and mind as Jon struggles to adapt to a world far removed from music and personal freedom.
Chapetr 4
New friendships emerge during military training, including a bond with fellow musician Jim Pokowski that will shape the journey ahead.
Curtis Marlatt
Curtis Marlatt is a musician, storyteller, and Vietnam veteran whose experiences inspired Cap’n Zig Zag’s Blues Band. Drawing from real-life events, he brings readers into a world shaped by music, friendship, military service, and personal transformation.
His writing combines vivid memories with an authentic voice that captures both the excitement of youth and the realities of wartime experience. Throughout the book, Marlatt shares not only the events that shaped his journey but also the lessons he learned along the way.
His passion for music remains at the heart of his storytelling, giving readers a unique perspective on a generation whose lives were forever altered by history.
Cap’n Zig Zags
Blues Band
Cap’n Zig Zag’s Blues Band takes readers inside a remarkable chapter of American history through the eyes of a young blues guitarist whose life is abruptly redirected by the Vietnam War. What begins as a story of music, freedom, and youthful ambition evolves into a deeply personal account of survival, friendship, and unexpected growth.
As Curtis Marlatt navigates military life, he discovers that music remains a powerful source of hope even in the most unlikely places. Along the way, he encounters unforgettable characters, forms lifelong bonds, and learns lessons that extend far beyond the battlefield. Honest, humorous, and heartfelt, this memoir captures both the chaos of war and the resilience of the human spirit.
Cap’n Zig Zags
Blues Band
Step into a journey where music and history collide.
A young blues guitarist is drafted into a changing world. Through friendship, music, and survival, Cap’n Zig Zag’s Blues Band reveals an unforgettable journey through war and self-discovery.
What our Reader says
Emily Johnson
“A powerful memoir that balances the realities of war with the enduring strength of music and friendship.”
William Simson
“An engaging and deeply personal story that captures an important moment in history through one man’s unforgettable experiences.”
Emily Johnson
“Honest, entertaining, and emotionally resonant from beginning to end.”