Tuesday - 26 Jan/16

This is "Nothing Tuesday". No park events that we participate in happen on Tuesday. We will be taking it easy until it is time to leave for the Johnny Rivers concert this evening.

Charlotte spent time colouring.

Adult colouring books are great for relaxation. They can be quite intricate and are a lot of fun.

Charlotte also did a little crocheting and I worked on my computer program design to pass the day. Soon it was time to head to the Sharon L. Morse Center for the Performing Arts in The Villages for this evenings Johnny Rivers concert. I didn't find out about this concert until most of the tickets had been sold. We were at least lucky enough to get seats in the "Nosebleed Section" (grin).

Johnny Rivers (born John Henry Ramistella, November 7, 1942, New York City) does not show his age (73) in the least. While in his youth the Ramistella family moved from New York to Baton Rouge, LA. Johnny, influenced by the distinctive musical style of Louisiana, began playing guitar at the age of eight. He was taught by his father and uncle. No wonder I was impressed with his skill as the lead guitarist.

Johnny, while still in junior high school when  he started sitting in with a band called the Rockets. led by Dick Holler, who later wrote"Abraham, Martin and John" and "Snoopy vs The Red Baron". Johnny made his first record at 14 (1956) while in High School.

In 1958 while on a trip to New York City he met DJ Alan Freed who advised him to change his name to "Johnny Rivers" (after the Mississippi River that flows through Baton Rouge).

I thought my having two hearing aids and being in the "Nosebleeds" hindered the sound; however after the second song someone down below yelled; "Turn up the mike!". Everyone either cheered or yelled; "We can't her you!" Once the microphone was adjust the sound was great as was the concert!

Johnny's repertoire included pop, folk, blues, and old-time rock 'n' roll. He charted during the 1960s and 1970s but remains best known for a string of hit singles between 1964 and 1968, among them "Memphis", "Mountain of Love", "The Seventh Son", "Secret Agent Man", "Poor Side of Town", "Baby I Need Your Lovin' " and "Summer Rain" all which he sang during the show. Other songs during the evening that I really enjoyed were "Get Your Kicks (On Route 66)", "Maybelline" and "Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu". 


Lesser known facts are that Johnny co-founded the Monterey Pop  Festival, scored 2 Motown hits: "Baby, I Need Your Lovin' " and "Tracks of Your Tears", and introduced Wolfman Jack while hosting one of the weekly Midnight Special TV shows. The Wolfman went on to host the show for 12 years.

Charlotte insisted I have my picture taken in the lobby of "The Sharon". Cheese!

After the show Charlotte and I stopped at Steak 'N Shake for a late supper. As we entered we both noticed a nicely dressed young man (11-13 yrs) in a neat white dress shirt sitting with his mother at the front counter. He was enjoying a milkshake.

We were cheerfully greeted by our waitress who later "cashed us out". The evening was to get interesting!

 This lovely lady was to go through extremes of emotion. She was shaken by a customer in the booth next to ours who referred to her using the "N" word. After his leaving she said to us that the word did not hurt as much as the memories it brought back of the sufferings her grandmother had endured, This was the "Low".

While serving us she related the "High". The lady (with the young man) at the counter was not being served by any of the other waitresses. Despite having nearly a dozen clients she did not want this person to be ignored any longer and went to serve her even though she was not in her section. (Actually, she did the same for us. While we waited at the entrance for a few minutes, it was her cheerful voice that said, "I'll be with you as soon as I can".) She explained to us that this lady was kind in her words and her comforting touch sent an unusual vibration through her body. To our waitress's surprise the lady left a $100 tip. She truly felt that God guided her to serve this lady who was ignored by the others.

Charlotte and I believe we have seen a UFO and perhaps now, an Angel. The two extremes: Good and Evil were in the restaurant this evening. Along with our tip (no not a $100 - grin) we left a Loonie and a Toonie (Canadian $1 and $2 coins). Perhaps these two coins will reminder out waitress of the Lady and her Son. Good beats Evil every time! Angel 1 vs Evil 0.

It was a quite ride back to the motorhome (except for a cop pulling over a driver right beside me).

We will be quick to fall asleep with the rain that began falling after midnight. Always a nice way to end the day.