Let’s see: Martin, Gibson, Gretsch, Guild, and, of course, Harmony are my favorite brands of guitars. Sitting around me right now are the ancient Harmony and two Gretches. The Gibson is in storage, awaiting a trip to a luthier to fix an arching top. Even though I only rarely play these days, I keep my old bandmates close by even though my last regular gig was in 1975.
My last semi-legit gig was around 2002 when I was forced from retirement.
An old friend died, and his wife wanted me to sing bawdy sea songs at the funeral. There was an intense period of practice and rehearsal. I chose the Harmony for the gig. It was my old traveling guitar, and I knew I could rely on it no matter the setting.
It was a tough house—old Coast Guard and Navy types who insisted they sang dirtier verses than I sang. The more staid types at the funeral got some education that afternoon.
It took me back to the old days, and I thought of getting into the swing. But change is a brutal force to overcome. My booth space was already booked for three boat shows. I had orders to carve in the shop, a regular job, and family. No, this was not the year to leave retirement.
Maybe next year.
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