Beech Tree News Network

Not too unusual for one guy to show up with a sack-full of French harps, and not be able to play any of them a lick. But what is unusual is for two different guys at two different places, at two different times, show up with a sack-full of French harps and neither of them not be able to play a lick.
Those not conversant with a French harp, you need one for each major key. That’s why at least seven to a sack—disregarding sharps and flats and minors etc. Some of you may know that after hanging up my teaching spurs I played in a country band for better than twenty years—the last year or so I’ve taken sort of a sabbatical.
Anyway that was a whole new life experience. We played a lot of gigs early in the day. Leaving out of a morning I’d say to myself “most folks are up going to work; I’m going to play country music.” Then I’d give a big “yippie-ki-yay”.
Many times first wife Bett, who is a fine pianist, would go along and warm-up the crowd with popular and light classical; then the band would come on strong with “Drivin’ nails in my coffin”, or “Fireball Mail”, or the happiest day on the ranch: “When Payday Rolls Around”.
We would play an hour, then go out with “Amazing Grace”, and then our “riding off into the sunset” closer: “Happy Trails”.
Needless to say there were varied and interesting happenings along the way: Everybody likes “Short Riders in the Sky”, right. Not quite. Once at a nursing home I was singing ‘short rider’ when an elderly patron began crying and having a spell—they had to take her out.
Folks showed up frequently wanting to play or sing with us. I love the sacks of French harps. And invariably, those who wanted to sing, never knew in what key they did to sing the song. Most times we’d need to let them start and try to find the key on our own.
Then there were other boo-boos. I must hasten to mention, though, there were also fine musicians who would come and “sit-in” sometimes, including French harp players. Though the really good ones usually carried their harps in a case.
Once I blundered real bad. A friend and I were asked to entertain a group of teachers. The friend, a fine mandolin player, at one time had his own band for several years. Another guy came to mind, a sort of boastful fellow. He had told me he played and sang. I thought “how nice”. He could help me play rythym guitar and sing some.
I called him and told him to bring his guitar and come. “yes”, he said, “I’d be glad to –which guitar you want me to bring?” he said, “I’ve got five.”
“Oh, one will be enough”, I told him, “you can’t play but one at a time”, I jokingly said. You guessed it. Sack of French harps all-over-again. Out of the five, he didn’t know but three cords, and those in one key only. (Deja-vu all over again).
I’m going back one of these days. I love “making music with my friends”. And oh, I forgot to mention, the money is good! In twenty years, I made $75 dollars. Only. You do the math.
Happy trails and, kindest regards…