Crotchety minister just doesn’t like Eddy’s tunes
I am sure the idea behind candidates in the provincial election putting up signs along the road is to get folks to consider voting for them. But when I drive by the smiling face of a particular candidate on one of those signs I always think about the time that he asked me to sing at his wedding ceremony. I have played hundreds of wedding dances over the years, but I am less comfortable singing in church. That’s probably due in part to the fact that I don’t know many hymns and some clergymen are pretty fussy about having contemporary music in church. That was indeed the case at this wedding.
The couple getting married had selected a couple of “newish type” songs for me to sing and I had recruited my friend and former band mate, Bruce, to accompany me on guitar. We arrived at the church early to get situated before the guests arrived as we wanted to have a little practice. The choir director greeted us and showed us up to the balcony. From there I noticed the minister at the front of the church reading over his bible and preparing his notes. I had been warned that the reverend was a crusty old Scot that was long on ego and short on manners. His huge sideburns and streaks of longish grey hair seemed to me as boastful as his exaggerated Scottish brogue. He looked like an able one alright. Although I wanted no part of him, the choir director insisted that Bruce and I be introduced to him.
As we walked toward the front of the church, he didn’t look up from his notes and pretended that he didn’t notice us. The nervous look on the choir director’s face was an indication to me that the introduction was likely a bad idea. We were committed at that point, though, and there was no turning back.
“Reverend, I would like you to meet the guest musicians for the ceremony,” the choir director started. The minister didn’t look up from his reading.
“Eddy will be singing,” she continued attempting to get his attention. “And this is Bruce, who is one of PEI’s finest guitar players,” she added.
This finally seemed to pry the old Scot away from the pulpit. He looked over his bifocal glasses with a grimace wide across his face.
“There is no such thing as a good guitar player,” he barked at the choir director who was blushing with embarrassment.
“And there will be no rockabilly music in my church,” he said turning to Bruce and me. He briefly glared at the three of us before he turned back to his reading. I didn’t know whether I should laugh or be insulted. He was so over the top that I thought for sure he was only joking, but the uncomfortable silence in the room told me otherwise.
It took the choir director’s apology and some convincing on my part to keep Bruce from walking out. I explained that the old Scot was notorious and that we shouldn’t pay any attention to him. We were there for the couple and didn’t want to help the old devil spoil their day with any drama. So we went on and kept the incident to ourselves. The wedding came off without a hitch and ceremony was as beautiful as the bride. But I did gag a little every time the old Scot put on that accent and rolled his R’s in a spectacle of arrogance.
There may just be a rockabilly song or two at the Kaylee Hall this week as The Close To The Ground Concert Series continues with our second last show of the season. And this week’s special guests will definitely get my vote. This Thursday September 22 at 8pm Fiddlers’ Sons and Courtney Hogan will welcome Neil and Billy Matthews, Jolee Patkai and Fraser McCallum to share the stage at Kaylee Hall.
“The Singing Ranger” Neil Matthews is a veteran of the Canadian country music scene. I can remember listening to Neil’s hit “Too Far From Home” on the radio when I was young. I was looking up to Neil as an Island musical icon long before I met him and the rest of the musical Matthews family. Neil has numerous award winning recordings to his credit and his most recent titled “Dad And His Lad” features the talents of his son Billy “The Kid” Matthews. Billy has had a long and fruitful musical career himself and has toured and recorded with many popular artists over the years . Local singer , songwriter and recording artist Jolee Patkai will join Neil and Billy on stage Thursday night. Her smooth voice on harmony and lead vocals adds a nice color to the trio.
Young singer, songwriter and comedian Fraser McCallum will also be getting Close To The Ground with us this week. He is a member of the award winning indie band Racoon Bandit and will have copies of their debut album “Into The Hills” on hand at the show. I am a real fan of Fraser’s music and although that makes me a little biased , I am sure his sharp wit and cool voice will charm the crowd at the hall Thursday night.
This is your second last chance to see a Close To the Ground concert this season so don’t miss out. You can hold me to my promise that there will be no stump speeches or put on accents, but there will be plenty of lively music. There is no debate about it, the Kaylee hall on Thursday nights is the place to be.
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