So we’ll start with “what’s new?” Well Meri’s mom celebrated her 99th birthday this month and we threw her a big party. Our Kingston Trio Tribute group sang for the assembled revelers and Dad (age 94) sang “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” as Mom leaned on his shoulder. Altho Mom could afford a retirement home, she prefers to live in her own home, where Meri and I have now relocated to care for her. (Dad’s in an Alzheimer’s care home nearby.). Actually, for age 99, Mom does pretty well for herself. She’s sharp as needle and she’s not bed-ridden. In fact, she’s sitting out here on the deck with me right now. But when (if?) we get to be their age we won’t have anybody to care for us and paying for assisted living will probably be beyond our means. So I’ll be opting for your suggestion to shoot - oh so hard to choose just one - Pelosi? Pencil-neck Schiff? Maxine Waters? - and then spend the rest of my life in the care of the prison system. Thanks for suggesting that option. Altho now, by posting my intentions I’ll probably have the FBI knocking on my door. IT’S A JOKE GUYS!
Oh, and speaking of our Kingston Trio Tribute group, we had a show yesterday at a local library. Why at a library? Well, for one - they actually paid us more than scale - and for two - our show is more than just entertainment. We not only perform 25 of the Trio’s best-known TUNES, but intersperse the music with TALES about the history of the Kingston Trio. So it has an element of education and thus, library-friendly. And we’re calling the show “TALES & TUNES: A Tribute to The Kingston Trio.” (Take that MM!)
Oh and I guess I could - should - add this library connection that just came to mind. I wrote the script for this show - and our dialog is totally scripted (actually, we’ve developed a few good ad-libs that have crept in). As source material I relied heavily on Bill Bush’s KT biography, “Greenback Dollar.” Being cheap, I was reluctant to cough up the $50 ($40 by Kindle) to buy the book for myself. So I went to the library. Well, they didn’t have it, but they told me how to get the library system to buy it. No guarantees - had to be approved by the head librarian - but about 6 weeks later I got a notice that the book was now in the system and available for check out. I renewed it about 4 times and another time for John to read. So consider this a promo for our local Jackson County Library System (www.jcls.org I think). And a promo for Bill Bush’s book too. It’s a must-read for any Kingston Trio fan.
On the dark side of “what’s new” - Meri had surgery on Thursday to reposition the defibrillator device that she had implanted last year. The darned thing had slipped out of its pocket and dropped down into her chest about 5 inches. There was concern that this could disconnect the wires that go into her heart and really mess things up. Well, the surgery was successful and she came home that day. But she’s in a lot of pain and the oxycodone is not doing the job for her. So for the next few days I’m going be doing double duty as care-taker for Mother and Daugher.
OK, next: I have not heard from Bob or Bobbie (or George, LOL) lately, altho I did email Bobbie to ask where I can buy Bob’s new CD. She hasn’t responded. Do you know where it’s available?
You ask: “...how’s the day gig?” I thought I’d have developed immunity to the constant runny noses and coughs by now, but NO - I’m hacking thru the second cold in as many months. But the kids I’m working with are all special in their own unique ways. I have a video of Sorsi (Downs Syndrome - wailing on harmonica), Diego (autistic - on 5-string banjo and rack-held harmonica) and Benjamin (autistic - on banjo uke) and singing “The Ants Go Marching”. I’m grooming them to be the next Kingston Trio after the current one self-explodes during “The Merry Minuet”. I can’t post the video of the kids here - school rules - but I think I can send it to you privately.
Next question - yes, I can tell yer bored. Get a life, man! You should have mine - no time for boredom on this end!
OK, inquiring minds want to know when my book is due out. There are two main factors involved here that are delaying the completion of this project. Maybe three. And in order of influence I rank “no time to write” as being the primary factor. OMG, my life is so full and I’m aware that time is my enemy. OK - look here - how long is it taking me to respond to your endless questions? See, I could be working on writing my book right now - but NO - there’s always some other priority that steals my time - like mowing the lawn, working out, gardening, rehearsing, gigging, or responding to Col. Tomm!
Wait a minute - I just realized that I could use this whole post as a chapter in my book! Tomm - thank you for giving me a reason to write!
Second reason for delaying the book is there are certain stories I’ve been admonished for telling publicly. So I’m waiting for the statute of limitations to run out on that gag order, because eliminating this material from the book would not be a fair presentation of history. So, nuff said on that for now.
A possible third reason for the delay - and this may be just an excuse (well, aren’t they all?) - but ya know - life keeps happening. Every day is another story to tell. If I’d completed the book two years ago, say - the book would be incomplete. I would not have had the opportunity to tell the story about my trip to musical hell with the Marvinettes. And now I’m writing about my experiences working with special-needs kids. So when do you decide that you’ve said it all? I’m hoping that getting past the first two issues will resolve this one. And altho Amazon has been clamoring for this project - I’ve told them to please just be patient. Same for you.
OK - what’s next? Well, I guess that pretty much covers it. And what a coincidence - this is the second time today I’ve heard the “Mrs. Lincoln” joke.
Tomm - hope this helps cure your boredom. Read it twice maybe. Altho - as the old saying goes, I’m sure there’s “more to come...”
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