First timers

So much of the joy of attending a Navy Musicians Association involves new relationships. I'm looking forward to seeing Dennis Bear, Ralph Hasty, John Branam, Jim McConnell and scores of others, none of whom I knew in the service, but all of whom have become my shipmates in the last few years.

But there's a lot to be said for old buddies, too. Two shipmates from my first band, Navy Band San Francisco, in the mid-'70s, will be attending their first reunions in a few weeks.

Guitarist John Derby and I played together in Showband West. In fact, many would say we were Showband West. Well, I can think of two people who would say that.

(I hope you caught the magic word in the previous paragraph: "guitarist." It's been years since we had a real, Navy guitar player in attendance. I suspect we've all pretty much had enough of me and my E7 chord--see video, below right).

John is starting to play again after years of being away from the guitar. He blogs about this at Who Moved My Chops?

Dave Whitaker was the drummer and singer with San Francisco's Big Band. I'm glad Dave is coming, though I'm deeply hoping that he has given up the habit of reciting lengthy Richard Prior routines. Deeply hoping. Very deeply.

My advice to Dave and John is the same you'd give to any newcomers reporting aboard your Navy band:
Check the gig board regularly.