Thursday 

Good morning! Once again, earlier than I usually post. Usually I'm still sawing logs at 8:57, but I'm up today. Still got my RDA of seven hours and change, so I'm as alert as I'm gonna be. Coffee is still the magic elixir, whatever the morning hour. 

My rehearsal last night ended up being a lot more fun than I'd anticipated. The drummer for this gig was someone I'd worked with over 50 years ago, so we had stories out the yinyang. We both played in the Bob Graham Quartet, and had a Friday/Saturday gig at what was then The Flaming PIt, in Town & Country Shopping Center. Bob on saxophone and clarinet, Ben Drake on piano(or guitar), me on bass; Bill Waldmire on drums. Robert Johnson, whom we knew and loved as Hoppy,  was our original drummer. 

 I was all of 14 years old. Very shy. Bill called me Silent Sam on occasion, trying to get a rise out of me.. Meeting him again after all these years, I told him "now they can't shut me up". But it was a great education as far as music. I spent every penny I made on jazz albums, and damn near every waking moment listening. 

And here we are a half-century later.  Quite the geriatric ensemble we've got going: ages 65(Mark), 66(me), 79(Bill Waldmire), 80(John Crisp)and 84(Ada Lou). All of us on Medicare! We will be in front of the Old Capitol on the north side of the Square on Saturday, July 31st. 5 to 7. Hope you see you there!

I must say, it feels pretty damn good getting back out of the house. Enjoying a bit of quiet today though. I'm not as shy at 66 as I was at 14, but still get overloaded after an evening of socializing and have to recharge the batteries. From introvert to ambivert..

Today promises to be a guitar day. Some shedding along with recharging. I'll probably get the digital camera in on it, and if I come up with anything, I'll be all too glad to share. So thanks as ever for stopping in and reading. I do appreciate it! Happy Thursday to you! For now, this one's outa here. More later. 

 

PS Today's pic goes back about a half-century. From left to right: Bill Waldmire, Bobby Graham, Ben Drake and me. 

PPS Today's tune is one of mine, called Kimber Lee. Hope you like it!

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