Thursday Tidbits
Posted on June 25, 2015 under Thursday Tidbits with no comments yet
Gruhn Guitars – Nashville
( Peter MacDonald photo )
I was staring at my computer screen at 6:00 a.m. yesterday wondering what I was going to write about. As mentioned the other day, I have some great stories in the works about some very special people and places. I am very excited with the possibility of spending some time with one of the elders from the Wacobah First Nation.
And I am continuing to collect stories about the late Frank McGibbon who influenced the lives of literally thousands of young people. Someone reminded my of one of Frank’s classic refrains: “We gotta get these young fellas into sports before it’s too late. First it’s the smoking and then it’s the drinking, then it’s the other thing.” Frank never elaborated on “the other thing!” I think he might have been talking about chasing girls. What do you think?!
Do you remember the equipment shack down at Columbus Field? Do you remember the smell when Frank would unlock the doors? It wasn’t an unpleasant smell for those of you wondering. The collection of old leather catcher’s mitts and other assorted sports paraphernalia had a very distinct aroma.
If you have any “Frank” stories , please drop me a note, private message me or invite me for coffee.
Anyway, as I scratched my head trying to come up something fresh, I spotted my two guitars over in the corner of the living room. And just like that, I was off and running. I’m not a particularly good guitar player but know enough chords, and the lyrics to hundreds ( thousands? ) of songs, to keep myself amused. I have played in groups and done solo gigs. I have played in churches at weddings and funerals. I have played in Legions, pubs and hotel lobbies ( one infamous evening at a hotel in Kilarney, Ireland ). I have played at a gazillion singsongs and have entertained the elderly in nursing homes. I expect that just about every other guitar player has done exactly the same things. Oh yes. I have played around a campfire and have sat on the beach by a roaring bonfire singing “Barrett’s Privateers.”
I even took a stab as a street musician one day in Vancouver when my dear friend, the late Siobhan M. and I parked our butts on a street corner. I played guitar and she played flute. We managed to raise enough money to buy one large pitcher of beer at a nearby pub.
I don’t play much these days but there are memories to last a lifetime about my long romance with the guitar. Coming up Saturday, look for “Striking a Chord.”
The first Antigonish Art Fair of 2015 will be held at Chisholm Park tomorrow evening starting at 5:30. We have an action packed evening of art, music, culture and ethnic food. The ever popular “Children’s Corner” has been expanded this year to include face painting, balloon animals, painting culturally symbolic masks, dia de las muertos colouring pages, flags of the nations beauty parlor and many more fun activities. It is a great family oriented evening so please grab a folding chair and possibly a sweater ( it may cool down during the evening ) and come and join us.
Hope to see you at the Art Fair tomorrow.
Have a great weekend.
P.S. If you’re in Inverness , Charlos Cove ( Seawinds ) or Halifax in the next few days, check out this awesome trio: “Belle Paine” www.bellepainemusic.com . Saw them at Dreamcatchers last night. Terrific music and great food.
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