Today I am going to share one of my inner most thoughts with you. I will let you in on a fantasy. Something I’ve always wanted to do. It is really kind of silly.
I would like to play the piano. I’ve always envied people that can pound a piano to “toe tapping” kinds of music. No, not “long hair” concert or opera kinds of music. I’m talking boogie woogie, rhythm and blues, or rock and roll kinds of stuff. I’d love to go to a party, notice they have a piano and start twinkling the ivory. Of course I would sing with the music.
My sister Addie, brother Jack and myself took singing lessons from Doris Dietsch when we were kids in Plymouth. None of us stayed with it but I’m sure we missed out on crooning greatness.
I remember my uncle Bob playing the piano at the City Club. The piano was used with some of the Music Acts that entertained from time to time. Bob could not read music. He memorized a few tunes and if you asked him to play he could pop out a few upbeat selections. Very impressive. For a few minutes while he played, he was the center of attention. Bob shunned being center of attention. Yeah, right!
Then I remember Liberace being on early black and white TV. He was gay. He scmoozed the old ladies. He was a schmuck. And, he played the piano magnificently. The only reason I watched was because occasionaly he would hammer out the Beer Barrel Polka and I would think wow.
I know daughter Kelly took piano lessons. She was never inclined to pursue it but she did like my uncle Bob. Kelly memorized a few tunes and I think even today if you asked her to play some music, she could entertain you for a few minutes. I don’t remember how much razzle dazzle is in her tune selection but for the moments she plays, she again is the center of attention.
Willie Nelson plays lots of country music (which I know Shelby Jr. hates) but he has selections featuring a piano with upbeat tempo. Willie would take his mistress on the road, feature her on the piano and have a lovefest on stage. If you listen real close, you can hear her romancing Willie. At least, that is the way my fantasy leans. Love that piano.
Well, daugher Debs cut a CD of 1950’s music for her mother and I discovered it by mistake. As I walk each morning, I have been playing that particular CD. It has three selections by Jerry Lee Lewis playing the piano. It starts with “At the Hop, follows with Chantilly Lace and ends with Whole Lot of Shaking Going On”. By the time Jerry Lee finishes those songs, I’m flying past all the old timers. Of course, Jerry Lee not only “plays” the piano, he kicks it, sits on it and I think has lit a few on fire. I really don’t want anything that spectacular.
Several years ago, I decided to pursue the piano fantasy. I did take lessons from a rigid, stern, German lady who started with the basics and was about as much fun as lancing a boil. I grew tired of the practice sessions. I let it die. I needed a teacher like the young flame that Willie Nelson had in his band.
Of course I have all the wrong characteristics to be good at the piano. I do not have the long slender fingers everybody talks about, I don’t carry a tune well to add in some singing and I don’t have patience. I won’t use age as an excuse.
But for a few moments every now and then, I picture myself sitting at a piano surrounded by friends (wait a minute, I don’t have friends) and playing a boogie woogie. Obviously the friends start to dance and wiggle around and enjoy themself thoroughly. Toe-tapping is the order of the day. And when I’m done, I get a standing ovation and lots of accolades. The cry is for more!
OKay, I know the whole thing is kind of stupid but what the hell. It is my fantasy and it is fun to dream. Maybe somewhere in another life, I was a piano player that brought lots of joy to lots of people.
Allow yourself to dream!
Love,
Dad