House Concert in Tampa

House concerts are among the most enjoyable kinds of shows I get to play. Last Saturday evening in Tampa I did one at the riverside home of Greg "Gonzo" Gove that was a perfect example of what a house concert should be. Along about 4 PM I packed up my gear and drove from my home in Largo, Florida, over the bridge across Tampa Bay to the city. Found Greg's house without a problem and unloaded a couple of guitars, my Peavey piano, a small sound system, and some CDs to sell. We set up a stage area at one end of Greg's spacious screened lanai, overlooking the water. In an hour the equipment was ready to go and chairs for audience seating were in place. There were a couple of nice tables, too, and space at a small bar to display CDs.

Doug Purcell and his group Triad opened for me. At about the time Greg and I finished arranging things, Doug showed up. Shortly thereafter Greg's friend Susan Aungst and friends arrived bringing tons of great food. House concerts usually involve a potluck meal. Close behind Susan and crew came guitarist Carl Wade, Barbara Shafer, and bassist Rick Kennedy. Carl and Rick were my support musicians for this show. We had fun visiting, solved many of the world's pressing problems, and I even ran through a few of the pieces I intended to play with Carl and Rick.

A little later folks who came for the show started arriving. I was happy to see young as well as middle-aged and older people in the audience. I kicked off with I Am A Pilgrim (no surprise, that), and went on through many genres of music (folk, jazz, ragtime, swing, blues, even a little country) singing and playing guitar, alternate-tuning guitar, mandolin, and piano. I did some old songs and tunes, and some new ones. Did several from my new CD, Roll On. I was informed that some young fellows who came (a pair of twins, actually, and a friend of theirs, in their twenties) were fans of and players of acoustic music. One of them played mandolin and another guitar, so I threw in some fancy work on both instruments for them.

After three numbers in my first set, I introduced Triad (Doug Purcell, Carl Wade, Barbra Shafer, Rick Kennedy). They did three or four numbers, including some from their new CD, Hold Back the Waters. Then I came back and finished the set. I call way of doing things "embedding" an opening act. My last number in the first set was a new little song I just wrote last week, called I May Be Old (and Bald, But I Ain't Dead). Everyone seemed to like it: just a lighthearted look at the pleasures of old guys admiring pretty young women. I get to do that from the stage quite often. Song lyrics below.

Following a break for fabulous food and wide-ranging conversation, I did another set to complete the evening's show. I closed with good old reliable Keep On The Sunny Side, as I often do. That song has four really strong characteristics: It is a great song; it expresses a wonderful philosophy of life; it is the theme song of the Carter Family, America's royal family of country music; and it is made for audience singing along. Everyone got right in there on the chorus: Keep on the sunny side; always on the sunny side; keep on the sunny side of life...

Audience response throughout the evening was nothing short of terrific!! People were actually standing up and yelling at the end. (Yes, it was happy yelling...) I always feel very complimented and very invigorated and rewarded when people react to my shows as warmly as the Saturday night audience did. Makes me feel I'm doing something worthwhile.

After the show, I turned to and packed up all of my instruments and equipment while members of the audience who wanted to jam got out their instruments and had at it. I enjoyed listening to them as I did my work, and in fact I joined in at one point. Concert host Greg Gove plays very fine fingerstyle guitar, and I stopped pitching and toting to join him in playing John Hurt's great Creole Belle and a couple of others. Sounded pretty good, I thought.

So... that was the way it was at my house concert in Tampa, Florida, last Saturday night. We had a blast! If you wish you'd been there but couldn't make it, here's another chance: We'll be doing another house concert at the Gove residence on October 23rd. See you there. You folks in Europe and the South Pacific and other far places, better start making plans now!!

Here are the words for my new song. Truer lyrics were never written. Whaddaya think, blog readers?

I MAY BE OLD (AND BALD, BUT I AIN'T DEAD) 4/4 - Lively tempo (G)
Copyright (c) 2010 by Charley Groth

I see you walking down the street, and Lord, you do look fine,
With your pretty eyes and your pretty hair and your little round behind;
Yes, I've collected years and years, yet this must still be said:
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!

Now I'd never say a thing to you that wouldn't be polite,
But a man is made to appreciate such a lovely female sight;
And my heart strongly beats today, although my youth has fled:
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!

So walk along, you make me smile; just let me window-shop;
I've watched them come and watched them go, and
you're up near the top;

I mean no disrespect to you; please don't bite off my head:
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!

==INSTRUMENTAL===

I see you walking down the street; you make my old bells ring,
With your pretty eyes and your pretty hair and your pretty... other things;
I've travelled many miles of road, and many lie ahead;
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!

So walk on by; you make me smile; now let me dream along;
You're one of nature's works of art; I
love to sing your song;

I mean no disrespect to you; please don't bite off my head:
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!

I've been around for many years; yet this must still be said:
I may be old and bald; may be old and bald,
I may be old and bald, but I ain't dead!