September 2025
After Jan’s memorial, John sent me photos I had never seen from when we played at their wedding–was it 2013? 14? I know the 10th anniversary had passed before she did.
I still play some. It’s not like before, when bands fell into my lap, I had a milieu, and gigs appeared unbidden. There was a time when I was playing in six bands, performing two-hour shows three or more times a week, jam parties, festivals, campouts, dances, happy hours, rehearsals, yada yada. Then the Big Stupid happened, and we are still reeling.
This summer Art and I had some actual paying gigs, the ever-faithful Cotati Accordion Festival, likewise the Sunol Wilderness Heritage Festival, both booked again for next year. And dancing! Wow.
And some not-so-paying, a memorial service, the Saw Festival, a birthday party (mine). Joanie and I played at my party, too, as well as some open mic nights at the Missouri Lounge.
It’s hard. I don’t play for beer and french fries anymore. And, uh, everybody’s gone . . .
It’s great to get the old Martin out again, the voice is as good as ever, honestly I think I have a bit more range, thanks to some tunes I have had to learn over the years with that F# i used to sneak up on. So there’s that.
Possum Family Singers 