Posted by Jim Yates on Sunday, March 30, 2014
Well, Today makes another decade on the planet!
Well, I've entered another decade and what a great birthday celebration and a real surprise. Clay, Maggie and Lisa offered to take me out for dinner on Sunday and Clay said that since our friend Benj was hosting an open stage at Dreams & Beans that we should take a couple of instruments and play some tunes with him. Sounded like a plan. Maggie said, "Are you wearing that?" so I decided to put on a clean T-shirt.
We had a good time playing some tunes with Benj and then went to Hotbelly Mama's for supper. Clay said he had to talk to Dave, the sound man at the Red Dog so we went over with him. As soon as I walked in the room I saw Alan and Bill, two of my old high school buddies from Dundas and knew something was up. Clayton and Maggie had decided that since I couldn't go to see Jesse Winchester for my birthday as we'd planned, that they'd reserve the front room at the Red Dog and invite all my musical buddies and other friends and make a surprise party of it.
I had a super time listening to and making music and talking with friends, new and old. Clayton and Jim Bowskill ended up acting as the house band and it was great to hear so many talented friends get up and play tunes.
Dennis O'Toole started the evening off with a great set, Cris Cuddy played some of his super tunes, and Washboard Hank serenaded me with Too Old To Cut The Mustard. Jimmy Bowskill, Clayton and Jim Kelly, one of my old bluegrass buddies, played a bluegrass set joined by Glen Caradus on mouth harp. Dave McQuarrie left the sound board to do some tunes with Clay and Jimmy and Jimmy stayed on the stage to play with David Newland on uke and Michael Glover on mouth harp.
We finished off with a "Sorta Maple Leaf Champions Jug Band" consisting of Ted Staunton, Carlos del Junco, Saskia Tomkins, Jimmy Bowskill, Rick Fines and me.
Thanks to Clayton and Maggie for putting this evening together. Thanks to The Red Dog for providing the venue and Dave McQuarrie for sitting at the sound board most of the night. Thanks to Pat & Mike, David & Micheline, Gayle & John, Janice & Reg, Alan & Jane for bringing munchies and Danielle for picking up the cake even though she couldn't stay for the festivities. Thanks to Lovely Lisa for treating us to supper and for coming all the way from St. John's to be with us. Thanks to Jane & Alan for putting us up and to Bill & Stella for extending the celebration far into the night.
Thanks also to everyone who came out to join in the celebrations and to those who couldn't make it, but sent their best wishes.
2 comments
on “March 30th”
Jim Yates Says:
Tuesday, May 27, 2014 @2:14:19 PM
People say 70 is the new 50. I agree...The cop who pulled me over doesn't.
Mad4banjo Says:
Thursday, November 20, 2014 @7:56:10 PM
Wow, Jim, this brings tears to my eyes. You are obviously much loved for all those people to come together for you. Here's to another decade! Cheers,
Maddie in Oz
You must sign into your myHangout account before you can post comments.
'Bacon Mandolin Banjo' 2 hrs
'Big Bertha' 2 hrs
'Fireball Mail' 2 hrs
