who plays outside of the place i went tonight. they are called the "wild wild west" band. the oldest person was 22.and claimed he actually built instruments...he played the violin (for god's sake), the other was 18 (one year younger than my son) and the other (they tell me, not sure i believe them, but he did kind of look it) was 15. they play outside this "bar" for tips, hoping that one day the bar will let them inside to play. and the music they played left me speechless.

i kind of don't understand why, because honestly, they're parents are probably my age...but they played tunes i couldn't imagine they would know.

can we say "house of the rising sun" i mean, that was a middle school/high school tune from my youth that every one who ever learned to play the guitar (from my era) learned as their first song.

i was so impressed, i tipped them a few bucks (all the cash i had in my pocket)

i went back inside for another beer and the couple next to me asked "would it be insulting to give them money?"

to which i replied, "no, i handed the one guy money and he gave it to the girl at the table who then put it in a hat" apparently, they play for tips.

they played skinard (not unusual for this part of the country) poisen (really, i heard these songs when i was one or two years older than them) and the guy who sang them was outstanding. his voice was unbelievable, especially for his age....really.

i met several new friends, both male and female (most, female) talked to an old jewish couple who left their baby dog in the car who licked me to death!), and talked "native american" with the "leader" of the band.

interesting night to say the least and everyone was hella nice (thank god!)

the only drawback...when i had to go pee (beer, what can i say) and then went out to my car...the leader of the band guy referred to me as "ma'am"

sigh

you guys just dont' know what it means to go from miss to ma'am...really you don't.

however, he agreed to let me photograph them doing their thing outside the restaurant at a later date. and when i told one girl i was an amateur photographer, she gave me her number to photograph her children at a later date (on the beach...oh yeah!)

it's all good, i think.

;-)