October
6th, 2005 |
October
7th, 2005 |
October
8th, 2005 |
October
9th, 2005 |
October
10th, 2005 |
October
11th, 2005 |
October
12th, 2005 |
October
13th, 2005 |
October
14th, 2005 |
October
15th, 2005 |
October
16th, 2005 |
October
17th, 2005 |
October
18th, 2005 |
October
19th, 2005 |
October
20th, 2005 |
October
21th, 2005 |
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No folks, I am not writing this as I am driving, Pinto Pammy
is at the helm and I’m laptopping this out to you. What a
day! Started out with an early departure from OK City, we had a
date with the Mediocre Melody Makers on Erick, the hometown of Roger
Miller. Well let me first say that Harley & Annabelle (the Melody
Makers) are anything but mediocre. They are exceptional in every
way, talented musicians and performers (Harley is seriously swingin
on the guitar, and I should know!), warm-hearted, funny, generous
and human dynamos. They played for us and then we played for them,
they brought some of their friends in too—they knew we were
coming—and we had a blast. As far as I know, they are the
only ‘people’ listed as a Route 66 roadside attraction,
and believe me they deserve it. No trip down this road is complete
without experiencing their brand of fun. I’m glad to know
them, hear them and consider myself fortunate to have had another
opportunity to hang in their museum of curios and musical instruments.
And on top of it, they donated generously to our mission…Harley
and Annabelle, you didn’t need to do that, but we thank you
on behalf of the kids, truly.
We somehow managed to head out across the Texas State line (tweren’t
easy) and visited a couple of classic old-style gas stations one
was renovated the other in original splendor (you can check out
the pix) and headed west to Amarillo. On Hiway 40—which
has gobbled up more than its fair share of 66—is the famed
and wonderful Cadillac Ranch, a bunch of misguided and constantly
graffiti-tagged vintage Caddys, tail up in the Texas dirt.
Now, many of you remember the Big Texan, home of the ‘free’
72-ounce steak…(of course, you have to eat it all with side
dishes and desert in one hour). Now folks, try to stay with me
on this, you are seated on a pedestal in the center of the huge
dining room with a large clock ticking off the seconds as you
masticate your way through a mastodon-sized portion of beef. There
is a handy, lined bucket at your side, now, I don’t know
about you, but that ain’t the ambience I’d go for
in my eating establishment, but then again I’m one of them
Cow-lifornians, hence, a little less competitive, obsessive and
perhaps a bit more finicky in regards to my dining preferences.
When eating is an Olympic sport I shan’t be entering, but
if they add bebop I might well consider it.
We have a date with the Albuquerque Academy for lunch, a couple
of workshops and concerts, so we decided to do a bit of the driving
at night (especially since our only option is the Interstate for
most of it). In the dark we passed the halfway point at Vega,
it means that we are almost home and it is a bittersweet realization.
The comforts of our own beds and ultimate success in the completion
of the odyssey is offset by the rich continual experience of newness
and unexpected that seems to find us out here. I think it is part
the spirit of what we are doing and why, part the mix of people
and personalities in the band, part the music and its broad influences
and appeal, and of course the exceptional folks that seem to find
us, be they fans, other musicians, or our generous, helpful cheery
and supportive sponsors from SCO. (Guys, If you consider a career
change Cow Bop can promise you at least $400 per year). The truth
is: the world is full of people like this, and given a chance
to be generous, spontaneous and participate, we all step up to
the plate (I figured one baseball metaphor would be acceptable
considering the season). Cow Bop and JazzMasters Workshop thanks
you for your encouragement and spirit, we could never have pulled
this off without you. I for one, will never view my fellow inhabitants
on this planet the same way, and that is a gift to cherish forever.
A gentle reminder: We are doing
this to support JazzMasters Workshop, a no charge music-mentoring
programs for kids. Please consider a per mile pledge, we’d
appreciate it. You can do it right from this site! Thanks.
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