A moment of jocularity at Arlington's. Don't remember when this was taken, but we were clearly having a good time. Mark Russillo, Lou Humphrey, Frank Parker, Ben Taylor and me.
Arlington's, if it still exists, is on Broadway. In New York, Broadway covers all of Manhattan and then some. In Springfield IL, it's one of the shortest streets in the city. Just 2 or 3 blocks. More of a cubbyhole than anything.
I used to do a gig on the 31st, with Mark(see picture)at Springfield High School. It was a Harmonica Masterclass. I played chords for him, and his girlfriend held up the signs. She was the spokesmodel. It was a total cacophony, a high school full of kids, but a good hour's fun.
Some of the nicest New Year's Eve gigs were through the Arts Council. You're done nice and early, and there usually aren't that many drunks in the audience. Well, if they're quiet I don't really care if they're drunk, just as long as they're quiet. But that's usually not the case if you're good and pickled.
Well somebody will be playing at all the main bars in town, plus a lot of private parties. I'm going to watch the Twilight Zone Marathon on TV and quietly ring in the new year. This is Cold and Flu Season, and I got some of that, so I'll also be continuing to mend.
Happy New Year! Much love! More later.
