Many of my readers know I LOVE ALL KINDS of music. Occasionally people roll down their windows to share what they’re listening to with me, especially if my radio isn’t playing.
Every now and then someone will try to stump me with a song they are certain I won’t know the lyrics to. It’s a game kind of like Name That Tune. One of my favorites who did this was a group of guys I called the Georgia Lineman. They came through my line regularly to work on the Google Fiber line. They’d roll down the window and if I knew the song they were playing they’d all pitch in and buy a paper. If I knew the artist, or could link it to a movie, that was like the bonus round, which usually meant I got a bigger tip. It was fun! Though it didn’t happen very often, every now and then they’d win.
Even kids have asked me about a song or two and I had to admit I didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. One example of this is Peaches by Jack Black from the Super Mario Bros. Movie. The kid asked if I knew it, and I was totally lost. He even played part of it for me, still lost, he settled for a song from The Lion King instead, and I came home and watched the Super Mario Bros. Movie so I’d be better prepared next time he came through my line.
Most recently a country fella in a pickup truck and a cool cowboy hat all the way from Texas found himself stuck in my line. (There was an accident so nobody was going anywhere for a while.) He rolled down his window and said, “I see you out here singin’ all the time, but I’ll bet you don’t know this one,” and he began to play Don’t Call Him A Cowboy by Conway Twitty.
I smiled and said, “You must be new in the neighborhood,” and I chimed right in, and started singing. I knew every word!
At first he was surprised, that is until I told him I was raised on country music from people like Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn. I added, “I consider Sumner County home, and that’s where the former Twitty City is located,”(that was Conway’s home for many years). “I performed there many times with my school choir. I even did a story on it in The Contributor when they were planning to demolish it. So if you’re going to try to play a song I don’t know, you’re gonna have to try something other than Conway Twitty, sir.”
Although he didn’t buy a paper that day (I didn’t have the one about Twitty City in my bag at the time, but I did offer to get a copy for him), he said: “I’ll think about it.”
I’m going to go through my older issues at home to see if I have one. If not, I’ll pick one up at the office so I’ll have it just in case he stops by again.
Even If he doesn’t, I consider it a positive experience. As I’ve ALWAYS said, “It’s all about the connections you make,” and I KNOW a connection was made that day!
On another occasion recently, a guy was stopped right in front of as me as I was sitting in my chair listening to an old Casey Kasum countdown from 1979 on Hippie Radio (that’s 94.5 on your FM dial for anyone who’d like to check it out) compliments of another customer who turned me on to it. The song that was playing got his attention. It was Reunited by Peaches & Herb. He pulled into the parking lot and told me that it was appropriate ‘cuz he hadn’t seen me in over a year! I said well, where have you been, ‘cuz I’ve been here! He didn’t answer my question, instead he asked if I could start it over. I said no, unfortunately I can’t this is actually part of a pre-recorded radio show.
He then pulled out his phone and asked if I’d sing it, if he played it. I said sure I’ll give it a try. (I had done it in karaoke with some friends of mine before.) I asked if he’d like to sing along, it is a duet after all, but again he didn’t answer my question.
I started to sing and at just the right moment he chimed in! At first, I was shocked. Usually when I ask a customer if they want to sing along they say no, you go ahead, and he didn’t say ANYTHING, but he sure could sing!
He said: “You haven’t changed a bit!”
I said I don’t know about that, I’m DEFINITELY getting older, and my voice isn’t as reliable as it once was. Thankfully it was working that day.
I think it’s safe to say we BOTH had a good time. After a nice visit and some much needed catchin’ up, he bought a few papers and then he was gone.
The last incident I will mention here was someone who was stopped in my line as I was sitting in my chair. Many are aware I’m listening to music, it helps the time pass quicker especially if people aren’t stopping. If I am sitting in my chair I’ll often gesture and some can identify the song by the time they get to me. One day as I was listening to Love Can Build A Bridge by the Judds. The song lyrics say in part, “Love can build a bridge,” (when that line comes up I point to the sidewalk-it’s kind of a bridge) “between your heart and mine” (I point at them, then to my heart) “don’t you think it’s time” (I point to my wrist, by now hopefully you get the idea). Well, I have a hat that says LOVE in multicolored stones, and each time they sing “love” in the song I point to the hat. (I’m also known for wearing hats.) One day a young man rolls down his window and says ever so politely, “You’re wearing the wrong hat for that song,” but he went on to say, “I’m gonna help you out.” He then cranked up We Are the Champions by Queen. At first, I was confused until he pointed to my hat. I took it off then I understood. I was actually wearing my QUEEN hat. Both are denim and both have bling so it was an easy mistake to make, or maybe I was just in a hurry that day and wasn’t paying attention, but one thing’s for certain — he was!
That’s all for now, so until next time just keep reading and listening to music — I will end on that note!