Part 2: The First Meeting
Stepping into the Dance
Nancy and I strolled into the Vero Beach Community Center, ready to meet the band leader. The place was pretty empty with only about six couples dancing and a few folks lounging at tables. Near the door, a woman was collecting the entrance fee while the band played on stage.
Meeting Agnes
The woman at the door was Agnes, the band leader’s wife. On stage, the band featured a Trombone, Saxophone, Trumpet, Bass, and Drums. No Guitar. That was a plus.
We introduced ourselves to Agnes. She mentioned the $2 per person entrance fee, and we paid it without a second thought. Seriously, where else can you have fun for just $2 each?
The Waiting Game
I told Agnes I was interested in joining the band. She said I’d have to wait for the break to talk to her husband, Chuck. So, we stepped aside and enjoyed the music.
The band’s repertoire was all old standards and pop tunes from my parents’ generation. Think the Great American Songbook. No problem for me—I’d played these tunes in a “Society Band” back in high school and college. I could tell the band needed some rhythm section reinforcement, and I thought I’d be a good fit. At 63, I was closer in age to Chuck and the band members than to my own parents. I’d played with older musicians before, but I wasn’t sure how this band would feel about me.
The Break
Soon, the band took a break. Agnes told Chuck I wanted to talk to him about playing. He walked over, introduced himself, and started the conversation.
Chuck: “What instrument do you play?”
Me: “Guitar.”
Chuck: “Can you read music?”
Me: “Yes.”
Chuck: “You can read music? You play guitar and you can read music?”
Me: “Yes.”
Chuck: “Can you play these songs?”
Me: “Yes.”
Chuck: “I want to be sure I understand this. You play guitar? You can read music? You can play these tunes, is that correct?”
Me: “Yes.”
Chuck: “I want to be sure I understand this. You play guitar? You can read music? You can play these tunes, is that correct?”
Me: “Yes.”
Chuck: “Ok. You can come in next Tuesday and play with us. The only problem is we don’t have guitar music for you.”
Me: “Do you have a set list with the names of the tunes and the keys?”
Chuck: “Yes.”
Me: “That’s all I need.”
Chuck: “Ok, let me see if I can make a copy for you.”
Me: “Don’t worry about it, I’ll just scan it with my phone.”
Chuck: “You can do that?”
Me: “Yes. No problem. We’ll see you on Tuesday.”
The Aftermath
Nancy and I walked out to our car, ready to head to the grocery store. She wanted to know what I thought and if there would be any problems. I thought I could handle the music just fine.
Me: “There’s just one problem.”
Nancy: “What’s that?”
Me: “Well, I’m lucky that I have my guitar with me instead of in storage since we had a recording session the night before we left. However, I don’t have an amplifier. I need to get an amplifier before next Tuesday.”
Nancy: “Oh.”
To be continued…
Al Perna is a Jazz and Rock influenced Guitarist originally from southern Connecticut. Al began his musical journey at the age of 12 when he heard Chuck Berry on guitar. Al began to study the guitar and was heavily influenced by the jazz stylings of Johnny Smith, George Van Eps, and Freddy Greene. Al played in a Wedding Band performing the Country Club Circuit of Southern Connecticut and New York. Before moving to Florida, he lived in Colorado and played with the Colorado Guitar Quartet. Upon moving to Florida, Al played with several bands in Vero Beach before forming Al’s Pals Band. Al also plays with the Rock & Roll Revue in Melbourne, Fl.