First, let me wish everyone out there a VERY Happy Thanksgiving! It’s a wonderful time to be around family and friends and nessle in for the holidays. Bring on the cold, stay warm- plenty of hot toddies, apple cider, hot chocolate and whatever “toasts your buns”. It’s a time to wander around in the adoration of nature and appreciate havin a roof over your head, food on the plate, and fire in the fireplace or heat in your heart.
Most years my parents hosted a party of family and friends on New Years Eve. Everyone would be invited about 9pm, used to enjoy each others company and catch up on lost time. Usually most people assembled in the dining room with the piano and play… sing… dance in front of a burning fire in the fireplace. Always this would be accompanied by plenty of drink. About 10 minutes to midnight all the men assembled outside and sing, ”To all Acquiantence”. Often there would be close to about 20 very loud guys shakin up the neighborhood with their voices. Their wives, or girlfriends would stay inside and assemble in a line from the front door.
Every man would bring in a log, a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread, symbolizing warmth, thirst and hunger. The point being each item was supposed to bring in wishes of warmth, plenty of food and drink for the new year.
The women would stay inside and assemble in a line from the front door. As host, my mother was usually the first. Each man would enter the door guided by my father and go down the line kissing the womens cheeks. When he came to his woman, he’d present her with the items and a big whopping kiss.
These parties founded such good memories. The music especially. My Uncle Clarence often took over the pianist position with another piano player, usually my Uncle Tony and play all evening. Perhaps it’s why music has come to mean so much to me, especially the piano, and history perserves memory.
This day in music history is probably the most significant to the progression of Electric Rock Guitar. Jimi Hendrix was born. His birth was the foundation for many rock guitarists including J.V. - Kid Sicily, fellow co-founder of Funk Thunder. Soooooo, if your raising your glasses and toasting today, remember to salute the rock God of guitar- Jimi Hendrix.
May you all be blessed with many beautiful memories, which you’ll recall today. Eat, drink and be merry! Happy Thanksgiving!