25 Comments

Loved the story when I heard it from you soon after it happened and loved reading about it again. Gund sounded like such a character I had to google him. Carolyn and Paul and his family are coming to visit Monday for a week. Can’t wait.

Expand full comment

Carolyn is really excited. thanks for the note

Expand full comment

Yes! I feel better now at asking (demanding) that the cowboy piano be moved to the room where I played Metis tunes with Jamie Fox a few years ago at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering. I guess now it's also an Indian piano, since Jamie is Metis!

Expand full comment

I remember that well. I have to say, when they had you and Jamie in the big hall with the Grand Piano, I was totally moved by her fiddling and the way you played and communicated with her musically. It gives me shivers thinking about it. And some of the best cowboys I've known have been Indians.

Expand full comment

Thanks, Hal!

And Henry Real Bird among them! I sure had a goofy idea about Cowboy Poetry. Thought it was nothing but iambic pentameter beginning with “Me n’ ole Buck wuz ….”

But as Van Morrison said when asked “What is Irish music?”

“Music played by an Irishman.”

Expand full comment

Terrific story, Hal! Those random, serendipitous, unexpected connections underscore the connectedness of seemingly all things. I enjoyed that one.

Expand full comment

What a great story!

Expand full comment

I remember that piano, Hal! Michael and I were visiting you and Teresa--I think it was Salt Lake City, and we went out to see your little cabin--in a private canyon, as I recall, and there was that amazing piano! I've wondered what ever happened to it. What an amazing story!!!

Expand full comment

Beautiful!

Expand full comment

Loved this story Hal!!

Expand full comment

Things come to us

through happenstance and love

fly on the strongest wings.

Expand full comment

I like the idea of strong winds. We've had our share this spring.

Expand full comment

darn, 3hattrio is performing at Helper Arts Festival 8/20. I'd love to see the old gang

Expand full comment

Would love to be there. Did you see the announcement on the East website? There's an informal picnic planned at Sugar House Park on the 20th of August. Helper Arts Festival's advertising on Facebook has you performing on the 19th.??... The gang could do both events if this is true.

Expand full comment

Hmm. They told us the 20 th. I’ll check

Expand full comment

Great story Hal!

Expand full comment

thanks Andy

Expand full comment

Oh Hal!! Thank you for this glorious tale. Serendipity abounds with you always and how I miss these lovely days with George!

Expand full comment

Pam, we had some great times, yes?

Expand full comment

Absolutely! The Best Joy

Expand full comment

I love this story, Hal. It’s one of my favorite stories to tell, and I’ve told it many, many times. I got it from Kim, who got it from Roly Pearson who (I believe) got it from you. In the spirit of true folklore, some of my facts are inaccurate, but it’s good to see that for the most part in remains intact- Even “Bryan Avenue” survives!

Expand full comment

Honky-tonk wins again.

To say nothing of the “small-village syndrome.”

Expand full comment

Hi Jim, thanks so much for subscribing and yes, small worlds and honky tonk pianos, a good combination. Hope you are well.

Expand full comment

Playing any where near Texarkana any time soon?

Expand full comment

I wish we were but nothing planned right now.

Expand full comment