Sunny Afternoon At The Music Store
Posted: Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:02 pm
Back in the early to mid seventies, I would have been in my late teens and had played in a local band for a few years already. I used to go to the local music stores in my spare time to try new guitars & amps. One sunny afternoon I was enjoying one of the store's finest instruments (probably a Ric or Gibson) and a rather tall gentleman walked in and met with the store's owner. I was trying to mind my own business and play even more cool- but it looked like the tall fellow wearing a tan raincoat might have been bringing something into the store. I noticed he had a big smile and an accent- couldn't tell what kind, only knew it wasn't upstate New York.
I think after a bit he may have taken a look at the guitar racks & was kind of sizing up the inventory. I was not into Mosrite at all (remember I was just a teenager into prog rock) but the store definitely had some. As the man walked up the aisle while I was still breaking in that new guitar or bass, he stopped and asked me if I had ever tried a Mosrite. I told him I tried one once and liked them but they were too expensive for me. I think he asked me about the Ventures models & said that they were on sale. At the time I didn't know who the Ventures were, now I love the Ventures! So, being the fool that I was I said I didn't like the Ventures that much. (Way wrong answers I know but at the time I didn't know any better) He then looked me in the eye for and thought for a moment and then said 'Yeah, but you will'. Would you say it was a prophetic word? I think so. At the time I was ticked off because I thought he was being presumptuous.
Then the taller man and the store owner went to the other side of the store where the amps were to continue their conversation and it appeared they were going back and forth about something. I continued to try guitars but could see their conversation from where I was. The taller man was trying to deal with the store owner but he appeared not to budge from his position. I could sense something was wrong but couldn't hear from where I was so eventually I left the store that day thinking little about the man I had met.
Could that have been Semie? The man I have so much respect for now?
Then I didn't know to be so mindful of my conversation as I know today.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
I think after a bit he may have taken a look at the guitar racks & was kind of sizing up the inventory. I was not into Mosrite at all (remember I was just a teenager into prog rock) but the store definitely had some. As the man walked up the aisle while I was still breaking in that new guitar or bass, he stopped and asked me if I had ever tried a Mosrite. I told him I tried one once and liked them but they were too expensive for me. I think he asked me about the Ventures models & said that they were on sale. At the time I didn't know who the Ventures were, now I love the Ventures! So, being the fool that I was I said I didn't like the Ventures that much. (Way wrong answers I know but at the time I didn't know any better) He then looked me in the eye for and thought for a moment and then said 'Yeah, but you will'. Would you say it was a prophetic word? I think so. At the time I was ticked off because I thought he was being presumptuous.
Then the taller man and the store owner went to the other side of the store where the amps were to continue their conversation and it appeared they were going back and forth about something. I continued to try guitars but could see their conversation from where I was. The taller man was trying to deal with the store owner but he appeared not to budge from his position. I could sense something was wrong but couldn't hear from where I was so eventually I left the store that day thinking little about the man I had met.
Could that have been Semie? The man I have so much respect for now?
Then I didn't know to be so mindful of my conversation as I know today.
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
.