Image
Sometimes life brings blessings.
For example, Saturday night, Beth and I saw Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band at Ironworks. The Hooten Hallers were the opening act.
After the Hooten Hallers ended their set of gritty rockabilly infused jazzy blues, I approached saxophonist Kellie Everett at the merch table and asked her about the gigantic sax she played for a couple songs.
It was a bass sax, “big momma” she said, but chatting led me to mention I lead tours in Niagara Falls, mostly for fun, as a side hustle of sorts.
“What are you doing Monday?” she asked.
“Probably working my day job but I could fit a tour in,” I said.
“We are off Monday and plan to visit Niagara Falls.”
I gave her a card and asked her to email. She did on Sunday.
I met John Randall, Andy Rehm, Kelly and their driver in the Sasquatch Ford Econoline mid afternoon in Parking Lot 3 on Goat Island. I directed them to that lot because hey, if you can walk, save $10 on parking.
We walked through the woods, visited Luna Island, The Cave and Horseshoe Falls. Then we took the path along the Canadian rapids to Three Sister Island and back to Sasquatch.
They were engaged, in love with the experience and grateful to have someone to show them around. Kellie never stopped smiling. The guys never stopped asking questions. They were grateful to have a break from highway driving to see the Falls more intimately than most visitors do.
The life of touring musicians is a grind. Buffalo Saturday. Wendelville, Pa. Sunday. Off Monday. Syracuse Tuesday.
They were in awe at our fine city and nature. John and Andy met in college and began touring in 2007. Kellie joined up in 2014. They gave me an album and t-shirt as a thank you.
