From Under My Hat

Back on my Feet!

2008-11-06T12:06:00.001-05:00

Back on my feet - Have cane will travel!
Current mood: bouncy
Category: Healing Up Real Good! Life

My Left Foot

(with all due respect to Daniel Day Lewis)

Well, as some of you may or may not know I've been out of commission for most of the summer due to surgery on my left foot. I actually had my entire foot reconstructed so you could say I have a whole new understanding! I finally had to resort to surgery due to a "congenital deformity" which means I was born with an extra toe and some extra bones in my left foot-Mama always said it was God's way of giving me that "little something extra"-LOL!

Then to complicate matters I was in a very bad car accident when I was 22 and ended up in a wheelchair for almost a year. This compilation of circumstances led to my foot surgery but the good news is that I am well on the mend and only using a cane - the bad news is that I have to wear these gigantic black & white sneakers that are two sizes too big until Ol' Lefty stops swelling (anyone who knows me should know that I'm not exactly a "sneaker-kind-of-gal") but I'm not complaining because at least I'm walking-just not as stylishly as I might prefer. In other words, Vanity thy name is Lindy Loo!

Yes good ol' Lefty and me go way back and we have had a somewhat complicated relationship. My mama didn't even notice my heart-shaped double toe until I was about six months old even though it was clearly there in the baby footprint that came with my baby book from the hospital. But then again being the only woman doing washing, cooking and cleaning with no running water in a very small 4 room house with 4 big ol' six foot six men to feed, an outhouse for the bathroom, a board for a washing machine & a line for the dryer and with wood to be chopped for heating - well it all involves a lot of toting, lifting and just plain old hard work-so I sure don't hold that against her.

I was always a little mad at my poor old left foot for being so different, so I would punish it by putting it's sock on last while the right foot was immediately clothed and warm. But all that changed when the doctor told my mama that I should never wear saddle shoes that tied I should ONLY wear maryjanes with a strap to allow for my wider left foot. Suddenly my "Sunday Best" shoes were my everyday shoes and since I was a girly girl I was very happy. I didn't even care when some of the girls at school acted like I was just a poor country girl putting on airs-or as the old Flatt & Scruggs tune warned, "Don't Get Above Your Raisin'".

I was so happy with my shiny patent MaryJanes I decided to push it a little further in second grade. Since I hated running laps in physical education, I asked Mama to write a note to teacher saying because of my extra toe I could no longer run laps. . .which was all well and good until my teacher, Mrs. McCoy decided to use me as a learning tool. She had me take off my left shoe and sock, stand on a wooden crate and then proceeded to parade grades 1 through 6 past me - this "Freak of Nature"! I never had so much sympathy for the two-headed calf at the fairground as I did that day! Daddy said it was my own fault for trying to get out of running and Mama said she felt certain that I had enjoyed the attention! Maybe she had something there because I did choose a life on the "wicked stage".

Today I'm writing mainly because I want to thank all of you who were kind enough to send me messages and kind words urging a speedy recovery and including me in your prayers. I know that it has a LOT to do with how well I am healing. Although I managed to remain a hermit all summer with nary a visitor, it was not for lack of good friends trying to come by- I just needed the summer to go within myself and take a good hard look plus I only really enjoy attention when I'm onstage (or a milk crate apparently) and I can be shy-hard though it may be to believe.

It was a necessary hermitage for me and I thank my friends for being so understanding and patient with me while I was busy being a patient!. That being said, I must give special shout outs to my friends who tried so hard to support me in my speedy recovery in so many ways: Like my dear, dear friend, Emily Cohen, who not only offered to visit but to bring me a fully roasted turkey that she would package and lug all the way from Staten Island! What an incredible friend she is to me! Also, Paul Thornton-a big part of my hillbilly family and his lovely "other half" Christine, Wayne Gray who even saw me in the hospital, James Harris, Diane Amos-"the Pine Sol Lady", Sasha Mullins, Arty Hill, Scotty Westervelt, Sean Kershaw-who offered to drive me anywhere I needed to go, so kind, the Phare Play theatre group-especially Blake and Christine, Buddy & Brandi of the DixieBeeliners and of course, all the terrific friends that I have met here on MySpace who included me in their prayers and good wishes. My goodeness-looks like I am one lucky lady! Right Lefty? "So Right!"

I love you all so much and I got back onstage Saturday with the lovely Jamie Lyn Smith at her Honky Tonk Angels show so I'm well on my way. Also I have to thank my incredible caregivers, my surgeon, Dr. Matthew Roberts, the nurses at the Hospital for Special Surgery-especially Milda & Dot, my incredible physical therapist, Keith Peterson and of course my love, Chicky Wicky - the Baron who took care of me all summer while I could only sit there with my leg hoisted in the air-He did a great job! Lucky me! Take care ya'll - Lindy's back and ready to roll! XXOO, LL

Currently reading :
The Politically Incorrect Guide to the South (and Why It Will Rise Again)
By Clint Johnson

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

2006-04-13T16:45:00.000-04:00

Spring is Sprung and the holidays are upon us. Whether you honor Passover or Easter I wish you the best of everything from the bottom of my heart. In truth I feel we are more alike than we are different and it is at this time of year that I hope we look for the sameness we have with each other and with our maker.

When I first moved to New York City I was invited to my first Seder. Before that time I had only read about this ritual or seen it referenced in a few theatrical pieces, so I was very excited. I was also warned by everyone who had all ready had the experience to fast most of the day because there would be SO MUCH food I would need to save room.

We took the subway all the way out past Coney Island to the home of our friend's 93 year old grandmother who was preparing our feast. As soon as we got there, the tiny little old lady's face lit up with love when her eyes fell on my face. Something about me made her think I was her dear departed sister and she pulled me down to embrace her tiny frame. She was barely 4 feet, 11 inches tall, and she kissed one of my cheeks and then the other saying "Sister I miss you, Sister I miss you," over and over again.

I quickly learned that we would all be called by our Hebrew names and that Linda in Hebrew is Leia. Just like that I became a Princess in the Star Wars series. My date, on the other hand, Steve, an Englishman, was quite disheartened to find that he would be known for the evening as Shlomo.

The aroma of chicken filled the air and I was so curious to find out what our promised multiple courses would include. As we sat down to the table with the books that told the stories of the famines and plagues that had led the Jewish people, God's chosen people, on the long and winding path that had led to this night, our hosts began to skip ahead many pages at a time to get to certain parts of the books. "Otherwise," they explained, "we'll be here all night."

My "new sister" leaned into my face and began to question my knowledge of the Torah, the religious book of the Jewish faith. Much to my surprise I was coming up with all of the correct answers. Having been raised a "good Southern Baptist" our Sunday School teacher had drilled us tirelessly on the stories of the Old Testament, making sure that we commited large portions of it to memory. Every time I got an answer right the sweet little old lady clapped with glee and she'd say, "You a good girl Leia-you very good girl." It turns out that the Torah is comprised of the first five books of the Old Testament in our Bible.

My pride of knowledge was soon being over powered by my growing hunger so you can imagine my dismay when we found out that the little lady had been cooking all day to produce only some chicken broth from boullion cubes and some dry matzoh crackers - and oh yes, the all important bitter herbs. Poor thing - she had become a little confused (come on she WAS 93 years old) and had "forgotten" to make anything else.

On my way home that night from my first and only Seder so far, I had hunger gnawing in my belly but my heart was full of wonder at this miraculous adventure we call life and how much love the Lord had provided for all of us, no matter what our belief system. Rather than being "Oh thee of little faith" the truth was more likely "Oh we of many faiths" and for me there is great comfort in that fact. After all if God IS infinity, there has to be enough to go around for all of us.

Was My Face Red!

2006-04-03T17:31:00.000-04:00

There I was hosting the CBGBs monthly Honky Tonk Hootenanny. It had been a beautiful sunny day and I had curled my hair with my molecular steam curlers because I wanted to look so nice and purty for the crowd. After all I was wearin' red and yeller and that's when you're s'posed to get to kiss your feller. Imagine how silly I felt when I took off my hat to fan myself and CW said, "Lindy Loo - You've got a roller in the back of your head! Want me to take it out for ya?" I started laughing at myself and said, "Nosiree! I'm gonna take it out on stage and tell all of the audience on myself."

So I went onstage and said to all the ladies in the crowd- "Well scrub my pot! I sure hope this never happens to you gals but I got in such a rush today, and then I couldn't see the back of my head." Turning around, I removed my hat and showed them all, "Here I done left a roller in my hair! You can even see the end paper I used so my curls would be nice and smooth." Well don't you know it got one of the biggest laughs of the night!

Thank goodness I wasn't in church. I remember when I was around 10 years old and just getting into primping on my own. For church that week, I had tried to re-create a beautiful hairstyle I had seen in my Millie the Model comic. Even if I do say so myself, from the front it looked beautiful to me and I felt very grown up and sophisticated. With my red hair I thought I almost looked like the mean model in the comic, Chili Storm, although her signature hairstyle always covered one eye. Guess it saved a lot of time on eye makeup.

Sitting there in the pew at church listening to Rev. Jerry telling his weekly Bible story to the kids with the help of his ventriquilist dummy, Little Rev. Jerry. He wasn't a very good ventriliquist which was emphasized by the fact that he let Little Rev. Jerry tell most of the story leaving the kids to cock their heads from side to side like confused puppy dogs.

How quickly my feelings of looking like a la-dee-dah lady went out the window when I heard in a very loud whisper right behind me, "My gosh - she must have used a whole pack of bobby pins in her hair! There couldn't be more metal in her head if she had a steel plate in it!" Chili Storm would never have been caught out like that! Was my face red!

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

2006-03-17T14:56:00.000-05:00

B'gosh and angora! Which means "Scrub my Pot!" in Gaelic! What's Gaelic?! Why that's the language of the old country-the language of our dear Emerald Isle. A magical day for me all ready - a wonderful gig appeared from out of nowhere at the drop of a tam-o-shanter a decision had to be made-

Plus CW is acting like an entrepreneur hocking green hats & flashing shamrocks, while I got thrown out of a bar on 8th Avenue for handing someone a flyer about the Hillbilly Hayride and when the bartender busted me the two guys and a gal at the other side of me brushed their fingers at me in the "shamey shamey shamey on you sign" suddenly I was the bad girl and I stood there all alone, savoring the moment and my pint of Stella.

Finally leaving without protest, I saw the small circle of musicians at the end of the second room quietly strumming - something. At least I hadn't washed my hair.

Opening Night

2006-03-16T17:23:00.000-05:00

Scrub my Pot! You'll never believe what an incredible night CW and I had attending the opening night of the Broadway show using all Johnny Cash music, "Ring of Fire, the Musical" and then we got to go to the after party as well.

First everyone who attended was asked to wear black in honor of Cash, the original Man in Black himself, and seeing the audience so dressed was impressive in itself. We were seated next to the most wonderful couple, John and Anne, who had flown in all the way from Virginia, on that very day just to attend the opening. As soon as John and CW clapped eyes on each other's big black cowboy hats they knew they were going to be great friends. As John said to CW, "Where are all the other outlaws here? Did they leave their hats at home?" Anne said, "Since he brought it all this way I said you have to wear it." We hit it off immediately and it felt more like we had found our old friends and were just catching up.

As we all sat there in the darkened theatre and listened to the music of Mr.Cash something magical began to happen. We all laughed, cried, clapped along and had a marvelous time ending in a thunderous standing ovation that went on and on until the cast finally returned for another bow, some even pulling their costumes back on as if they were surprised. Anne and I were amazed by their humbleness because we all felt they knocked it out of the park-great singing and great acting. We loved it!

Off to the opening night party where my thrill of thrills was meeting the legendary Cowboy Jack Clements-who worked in the original Sun Studios and was the man who for all intents and purposes created Rock 'n Roll when he asked Jerry Lee Lewis to record one of his live songs because there was extra tape and he mixed it on the spot. A few weeks later, "A Whole Lotta Shakin Goin' On" was released and musical history was made forever. I was lucky enough to have my photo taken with the man himself.

Cowboy Jack Clements and his fan, Lindy LOO

They had a fantastic band imported from Nashville, The Stringdusters, a bluegrass band that had some exceptional pickers, one of whom was Chris Eldridge. Turns out he knows our friend Eli Smith who has become a regular member of our monthly Hillbilly Hayride - they went to college together and we promised to pass on Big Hellos.

There were even special Ring of Fire glasses provided by one of the sponsors, Makers Mark, ringed in red like their trademark bottle. CW managed to put away enough and flirt enough with the hostesses to acquire us a whole set of four. CW and I had our own pictures taken in front of the backdrop - we were having such a fantastic time.

My next big thrill of the night came when I was at the sushi table and I noticed the most incredible black on black embroidery on the back of a jacket, in the manner of a real Manuel suit, and who should the wearer turn around and be but John Carter Cash himself. Somehow I found my wits and managed to have a brief conversation with him, telling him how happy I am to see him in the new Brad Paisley video and that I have followed his own producing career for some time. He told me he felt certain that his mom and dad would be so happy with the show and that he and his own wife had been blessed just two weeks earlier with a brand new baby boy.

Just when I thought nothing could be any better than that, I ran into one of the leads of the show, who actually recognized ME! He had come to the Johnny Cash 74th Birthday celebration I had hosted at Southpaw in Brooklyn and said, "Lindy LOO-you are the greatest!" I had met his mother at the intermission - a lovely southern lady who hails from Raleigh, NC who told me Jason actually met Johnny Cash in person when he was just 15 and now here he is on Broadway singing his songs.

Lindy Loo running her mouth with star of Ring of Fire, Jason Edwards. He even said he might come out and sing with us at the Hillbilly Hayride one of these days. All in all it was a night we will treasure for the rest of our lives. A special thank you for it goes out to Kenny Greenblatt and Alan Glist-two of the producers of the show who were kind enough to invite us as their guests. One thing is certain we fell into a burning Ring of Fire and we never wanted to leave. Run to see it while you've got the chance. Take it from Lindy LOO!

Here I am with Jason Edwards running my mouth. What a surprise huh?

Progress NOT Perfection

2006-03-14T11:52:00.000-05:00

Well Scrub my Pot! It's been a little while since I last "blogged" as ya'll say. A LOT- A LOT has been going on since our mention in Country Weekly last November. But it's all been pretty terrific. The other problem is that I have treated this like it has to be so good so that you will LIKE the writing and that is not the point of having a blog. You're supposed to just write what's on your mind that day and I have been a little too precious about the whole thing. So enough of that--besides I think CW might put a boot in my butt if I don't just start writing all the time. ALSO-when I do write I have to not always go on and on and on-brevity is the soul of wit-but Hey I never claimed I was that witty.

What do you put off in fear of not being perfect? Progress not Perfection - let that be our motto for the day maybe even for life. XXO, Lindy LOO

BIG and RICH CD Signing at BEST BUY!

2005-11-17T22:23:00.000-05:00

SCRUB MY POT! Scrub it until it sparkles and gleams of copper! Scrub it with Twinkle until it can shine no brighter! I have just returned from the Big and Rich new CD signing at the newly opened Best Buy at 44th and 5th Avenue and it was the most amazing capper to what has fast become a most cherished week in my life.

Let me just first clarify for those of you who may not have my listening leanings, which are diverse to say the least, why I like Big and Rich so much and how their music speaks to my soul. It's the spirit, the musical references that have a remarkable range of genre's and generations, the absolute reverence and irreverence at the same time and for the appropriate things. That is how I felt from simply listening to their first CD, Horse of a Different Color.

However, when they played CBGBs in June of 2004, it was their live show that blew one's mind and raised the bar to an entirely higher level. These guys knew HOW to perform and they worked the crowd into a sweaty frenzy with Kenny flinging his "Love Everybody" tee-yes the very one he had performed in-flinging it high into the sky above the packed crowd on the dance floor.

Suddenly I who is not even athletic, not by any stretch of the imagination, suddenly found myself leaping into the air like I was "Wilt the Stilt" going for a jump shot and snatched it out of the clutches of a teenage drag queen and I got it! Me! Me, who never wins anything won Big Kenny's tee and he even signed it backstage.

There was an after hours show and seeing most of their Mafia kin bring the Muzik Mafia to the Cutting Room helped keep the party going into the wee hours. It also gave a lot of New York based performers a lot of food for thought and provided inspiration for many artists and producers, some who had traveled quite far for the evening's entertainment.

Flash Forward to September 2005 when C.W. and Lindy LOO are walking around Union Square adding atmosphere to the country festivities and also getting front row seats for the noontime concert of Big and Rich, sponsored by Chevy's American Revolution Toour.

Once again they were amazing LIVE! C.W. had missed CBGBs so he finally saw what I had been telling him about since that night a year earlier. I lifted my big hat to reveal my little hat several times and had vainly convinced myself that both Big and Rich had each seen and laughed at Lindy LOO's hat trick. I even told C.W. that my fondest wish was that they might say to each other at some later point, "Did you see that funny gal with the little bitty hat?", and have a laugh together.

Cut to present day and there I was on line waiting to see B&R again as Lindy LOO and I must say the Best Buy clerks were all incredibly gracious, good humored and genuinely nice folk who made the time pass very well. Just then the crowd broke out into applause and B&R magically appeared from the back of the store-while everyone had been feverishly watching the front door for their entrance. Instead they had snuck up on us from behind. It was so Wild West Ambush!

As I approached the signing table, Big Kenny gave me the most beautiful beaming smile and said before I could speak, "I've been telling everyone about your little HAT!" I think I replied but I was in a heavenly haze from his kind remark when someone said, "Lindy LOO! Look this way!", and I suddenly remembered something about a picture. I know we both turned towards the voice and I either saw a flash or stars, but I'm not sure which. One thing I do know for sure is that I was definitely smiling!

I shuffled the three steps sideways to speak to John Rich saying, "Maybe one day you'll need a funny lady to open for ya'll!" Then he looked up at me and said, "We sure could use another Minnie Pearl." To which I replied, "I'm sure hoping so-"when I suddenly looked into his eyes and my head began to swim with all the things I wanted to tell him about his music, his incredible writing, that I want to use their songs in my show, Big City Hick, but everything seemed to be in a cobwebbed jumble inside my head.

All I remember is staring at the brim of his hat trying to stay focused. In fact, I'm certain that I could describe in minute detail that brim, although I did manage to stammer out how much I love the song "Never Mind", on the new "Coming to Your City" CD (which I of course PRE-ordered) and how that song just rips my heart out. He smiled, "You like that?" and then they were pushing me on and through, giving the next fan their opportunity.

I fairly floated down the stairs, posing I think for a few photos along the way, but mainly floating on a cloud of dreams and gratitude for the most incredible country vacation that I've had in years. And it was all here in my very own backyard! There really is no place like home! Scrub my Pot!

Oh What a Night at the CMAs!

2005-11-16T16:49:00.000-05:00

Scrub my pot! I have just returned from the most incredible and unexpectedly unbelievable evening of my life. As most of you who are reading this surely know, the Country Music Awards were in New York City for the first time in forty years. Also for the first time ever in all of those same 40 years, it was possible for someone to buy a ticket to the awards show-something that had never been done before.

However, since neither C.W. nor myself could afford the $250 per ticket minimum fee to get into the Big Show, we left our name with the Mayor's office as volunteers to work the hospitality suite for the visiting ticket holders. Little did we know what an incredible night we were in for when we got there..

The young woman who was from the Mayor's office was as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. She was awful young and pretty sweet, but it seemed like if anything went wrong she was gonna lose her job from the way she was acting. We were given our entitled necklaces bearing the words "Talent" and "Volunteer", along with the CMA hats and tee shirts we were told to wear, to indicate that we were the folks to ask questions.

I of course had my trademark Lindy Loo double flowered hats on so I just took off the bigger hat and covered it with the CMA ballcap while wearing my Bigcityhick electronic bling belt over the tee. Luckily C.W. and I were posted at a small stairwell leading up to the PRE-television fancy party and a first our post seemed anything BUT lucky to me. I am embarrassed to admit that I was complaining about the lack of traffic and even suggested that we go home.

Then out of nowhere came some of our first folks to direct, a beautiful lady with ginger colored hair and a bright red beaded evening gown-she looked like a figurine that my grandma used to collect and set on the piano. Right on her heels all in a beaded white gown came, Miss Lori Morgan who gave us a smile that set the night ablaze and it kept right on to burning for us the rest of the night.

Next came Billy Dean in an incredible knee length jacket emblazoned with embroidery on the back and he was with the one and only, Bill Anderson, who looked incredible in a bright yellow jacket set off with beautiful black appliqued motifs, accenting the great star that he is. Mr. Anderson chuckled and said, "Okay Miss Minnie - where's your price tag?" To which I replied, "Hey I couldn't steal everything from her - so I just have a little hat," while raising the CMA ballcap to reveal my little bitty flowered hat. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Dean hooted with laughter and I remembered to thank and congratulate Mr. Anderson for his great song, "Whiskey Lullabye" and he graciously bowed and said welcome.

Imagine how I was shivering in my boots when next came the family of Mr. DeFord, the first black star in the Grand Ol' Opry followed by Glenn Campbell himself, both being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I bowed down low to Glenn Campbell, saying how much pleasure his work has given me all these many years, and wonder of wonders, he extended his hand on his own accord and shook mine. On the very night he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. C.W. said we should put a plastic glove on my hand and not wash it ever again.

Next were the VanZant brothers, who were as nice as pie and accompanied by some of the prettiest sparkliest ladies we saw all evening. On their heels came a musician fellow, who when he spied my electronic belt said, "I used to have a belt just like that!" I said, "Really? You had a belt that said Bigcityhick,com?" This stopped him for a moment before he said, "No-I was on tour with Sheryl Crow so it said Sheryl Crow."

Right then a feller came in from the hallway to ask me to also be watching that door as some of the bigwigs might need directions to the party from there. I commenced to checking the hall every few minutes when I saw a blond highlighted haircut on a guy from behind that made me think for a moment it might be Keith Urban, but instead it was Jon Bon Jovi. I just stood there for a moment, when he looked up, but he didn't laugh. Instead he just turned his head away slowly as if not to alarm me--this was when I realized how much like a hick I surely looked. Even the little bitty hat couldn't make him laugh or see the joke.

Just then a representative from the mayor's office in the form of a seat filler (One who fills the seat of a celebrity while he or she must go to the restroom and often also escorts talent from point A to point B) suggested that we not speak to any more of the celebrities since she could escort them to their final destination at the fancy vittles party. Even though hardly any of these volunteers knew what mega-stars they were even escorting.

This should underline to you how much we really looked more like hicks than anyone there (being true to our souls) and you should also know that my real friends always say they will put on my tombstone, "She just HAD to say it!" So when she suggested to us that we not speak as though we were really country stupid, I had to say, "Should we overt our eyes and just not look at them? Should we hang our heads and merely point?"

To her credit she seemed somewhat embarrassed to realize that there was some real intelligence behind the naivete and stammered out how we could look at them but not speak to them.

Not talking to the stars flew right out the window for me when next came Trace Adkins, who was absolutely resplendent in an unbelievable trench coat that made him look even more western and knightly than usual. He didn't seem to mind at all when I referenced two of his latest hit songs and his lady seemed to enjoy it all the more.

Then here came the redhead lady again escorting Cross Canadian Ragweed who stopped for a chat with someone crossing paths with them. How she tried to avoid looking at me as I just stood there with a finger to my lips indicating to here that I would not be speaking to HER celebrities. How upset she looked when they commented on my belt and hat in a positive manner and spoke to me first anyway.

Several of the next fellows through were players in several different people's bands. I met several who played with Faith Hill and of course I had to give them an over abundance of cards since my dream is to open as the funny gal in front of her and hubby, Tim McGraw. I guess I'm hoping she'll feel she owes a "Hill family member" a job down the line.

Next group through were Montel Williams, Clay Walker and Hal Ketchum, followed quickly by Blue Country. Right about then the phenomenal Aaron Tippin came along with his sweetie and then the lead singer of Lone Star, who not only laughed at my little hat but also commented on my red hair. By now I was absolutely gone-OVER the rainbow with Dorothy and Toto and I didn't care if I ever came down. (Please God let me entertain the troops with Mr. Tippin-I promise I'll be so good the rest of my whole life!)

To say I was a hog in mud is the master of all understatements. I couldn't believe it when the other volunteers were complaining about wasting their time because they didn't even know WHO they had directed to the VIP party. Our shift was at an end so we were given a box lunch and a seat in front of a very tiny TV.

C.W. disappeared to make backstage mischief, disturbing the nervous girl from the beginning very much, until I pulled him out of there by his ear. We made our way out of Madison Square garden by the wrong door so we ran right into Joan and Melissa Rivers and C.W. posed for a photo with Joan.

Capping evrything off, we had our photos taken, Lindy LOO and Chicky Wicky, right in front of the CMT logos on the red carpet. Who should turn up at that moment but the redheaded gal who looked more miffed than ever that folks were treating us swell and even taking our pictures.

Oh what a night! We will not soon forget this unbelievable, up close and personal evening with the country music community. Scrub my Pot!

Celtic Country

2005-11-15T13:09:00.000-05:00

Well scrub my pot! What a time C.W. and I had at the Rodeo Bar last night! First we had run up past Carnegie Hall cuz Chicky Wicky was a hopin' to see how big Trace Adkins really is, while I was hopin' to catch a glimpse of my idol, Little Jimmie Dickens.

Instead we found a very gussied up group of folks standing in line to be let in with nary a spangle or a sequin in sight. We figgered the stars had all ready gone into the dressing room so we headed down to the Rodeo Bar, for some fine food and entertainment.

As usual we were not disappointed--first up was a great country band backing Lane Turner, a newly signed Warner Bros. recording artist direct from West Texas . He sounds as good as he looks and his band was tight as a drum. Next came the infamous Jack Grace Band, the very Rodeo booker himself, and they graced us with all kinds of tunes from the Hag to Zep. They showed folks you can live in the apple and still do it up country all right.

Smack dab in the middle of the room was a great table of Irish folks who have come all the way to our fine shores just for the Country Music Awards. They are the third group of Irish visitors we've been lucky enough to meet this week and they'll be the first to tell you about their love of country music. ALL country music.

We all agreed that it makes perfect sense. After all if you think about it-most of us started out on the other side of the pond, often referred to by our forefathers as "the old country" with tales of how they had brought their old-timey songs and ways with us when we got a fresh start here in this big new land.

Many of the Appalachian dwellers hailed originally from Ireland, Scotland and such parts. Then the Carter Family drove through, heard all those old celtic tunes wafting down the trailside, sometimes with a fiddle or auto-harp playing along with it. They recorded it and called it American country music.

Even our country clogging is just a less formal Riverdance. That form of Irish dancing with their hands held tight behind their backs.. Where I come from if we get our feet a-going then we just have to get our hands a workin' out front to, else we might just spontaneously combust.

It was so nice to chat with these Irish folk who were just as lovely and as enjoyable as you can imagine. They wanted to take pictures with us so each took a turn at a photo with Lindy LOO lifting her hat and her skirt just for them, sharing a giggle or a wink. All under the watchful eye of C.W. of course.

Talk about eat, drink and be Merry--all that and more! YEE Haw! Scrub my POT!

Elvis and the Lion

2005-11-13T19:27:00.000-05:00

With Veteran's Day just passed and so many of our young men rapidly joining those same ranks as Veterans of Foreign Wars, it made me proud that all of the men in my family have served their country in the military services. My oldest brother was a paratrooper and served in Korea and at one time all three of my brothers, Jerry, Lowell and Rick, were all stationed in Germany at the same time on separate military bases.

As most good G.I.s do, my brothers often got most of their immediate information from The Stars and Stripes, the Army newspaper. Imagine the shock of both Jerry the oldest and highest ranking at Master Sergeant, and the youngest brother, Richard, a PFC, Private First Class, upon reading an interview with their middle brother, Lowell, right on the front page.

He was quoted about being raised on a huge dairy farm that bred fine cattle, horses and herd dogs. It went on to say how he had been active in the training of all the animals, even teaching them fancy tricks and painting himself as something of a "horse whisperer" for all kinds of animals.

Further the article said that because of Lowell's vast experience with animals his platoon had chosen him to be in charge of the handling of the company mascot, a huge male lion so big and fierce, that he could easily have been a stand-in for the MGM beast roaring from the silver screen,

Of course both brothers were startled to read about the non-existent big homestead they had never seen or heard of before reading about it in the Army paper. Neither of them could wait to write Mama and Daddy about the news item. Both also wanted to know why Lowell got the "lion's share" of the big dairy farm and demanded their share. I can remember Mama reading that part of the letter to Daddy and laughing.

"Well I've always said about Lowell, 'He can take a story all the way out the door and around the corner.' He likes to embroider on the truth, that's all." Then she'd laugh and add, "What do you expect-he's six foot five-of course he's gonna tell tall tales." She'd refold the letters, shrug and turn back to the stove, still shaking her head and chuckling low to herself. She always had liked that part of him.

When Lowell came home on leave, his prize possession was an 8X10 black and white glossy photo of he and the lion setting on the hood of a jeep. He'd tell you all about the lion and how he got out of maneuvers and certain training sessions because he had to sit down in the basement by the lion's cage. He had convinced the higher ups that his proximity to the lion was a big part of his training plan.

"In the meantime I'm down there reading cowboy novels. There's not a Louis Lamour book I don't know." If you coaxed him even further you might get to see the red faced devil with blue black hair tattooed on his upper right bicep framed with the words BOOT HILL. He almost seemed to be winking at you when he flexed his muscle. "All the fellas in my unit used to call me Boot HIll so," then he'd flex again.

Finally, he might be convinced to hold up that photo and tell about the time Elvis Presley toured his army base and met up with Lowell's lion. Both the King and my brother were serving in the military at the same time. It was right after Elvis had exploded into stardom for a couple of years and then suddenly had been drafted into the service.

Yet even in the army, Elvis was afforded certain privileges that most enlisted men did not, and the army was determined to treat him like royalty when they gave him a tour of the facilities. "They figured it was probably good for the morale of the base," my brother would explain, "and I guess in a way it was."

"Well of course they want me to bring the lion out, you know, put on a big show for Elvis. So I combed his mane and got him about as nice and purty looking as I could, without letting him bite me." His hand would flinch automatically at this memory, as if he physically remembered some nasty bites. His gaze would go off into the distance and he'd add in a low, wistful voice, "He could be a nasty big cat sometimes."

Back to his story, he'd go on to say, "So when Elvis was walking around, he comes up to me and the cat and he just goes ahead and tries to pet the lion. I said, 'Whoa Elvis! Nobody can touch that lion but me.'

"Course, he don't listen to me, I guess he figures 'Hell! I'm Elvis! I'm the King! I can do whatever I want to do!' Because the next thing you know, he's reachin' his hand out to pet the lion. Just lucky thing I seen it and jerked the lion back. That ol' lion was just about ready to take a big bite out of his arm."

"You should've see Elvis jump back. That ol' lion would've even bit his arm clean off if not for me. You tell me how he could've played the guitar then? Who would've watched him in all them hip shaking movies then? He'd be off balance with just the one arm."

He'd lean back in his favorite chair, pop a can of Coors, and continue, "Yep. . .except for me jerking that ol' lion back, the whole entire history of rock and roll could've gone a whole other way. Musical history might have been changed forever right before my very eyes."

COUNTRY TAKES MANHATTAN!

2005-11-12T15:47:00.000-05:00

YEEHAW! Country Takes Manhattan with the Country Music Awards coming here for the first time in forty years EVER! Nothing could make this old Kansas Sunflower happier than seeing a few more cowboy boots trodding the sidewalks of New York and a few ten gallon hats high enough to rival the Chrysler Building.

I've heard some folk asking the question WHY New York? Why on earth would there ever be a connection between country music and the Big Apple, but I beg to differ. People asking this question are obviously only looking at our differences instead of seeing how there's so much sameness in us all. As a Big City Hick, I feel obligated to try and bridge this gap.

Born in Kansas we had a cracker box of a house with no running water and a path to the outhouse "out back". Now I live in the heart of Times Square in an old school walk up with the tub right in the kitchen. I've got no need to complain however, because at least it's inside and it's not jut made of tin and hanging on the wall.

I have come to love New York and if I could just help first time folks to NYC see what a friendly city it can be, if you're introduced properly. As a former tour guide who for well over a year rode the top of a double decker bus doing five two hour circles of Manhattan every day six days a week. I really got to know the city up close and personal from that point of view.

Tickets were good for two days and they were "Hop On - Hop Off" tours so I would often get to see my passengers again later in the day on the fourth or fifth loop around. When I'd take the tickets at the top of the tour, I'd say, "Where you from?" -Heads lowered, they'd look up at me and mumble "Nebraska. . ." or "Alabama. . ." as if they were waiting for the mean New Yorker to put them down, but as soon as I'd answer, "Really? I'm from Kansas!" they could relax because then I was surely the biggest hick on the bus.

There's a security in that. Just knowing that if you felt somebody had tried to out-sofisteeKate you at some snooty store you had to be buzzed into just to look around-just still knowing that if you could find that hick's bus you'd be the top dog again and you could regain your bearings. I became a sort of security blanket for some of my passengers and It was quite lovely. People telling me their personal stories when a tour had all but emptied out at the Empire State building and left only an old couple who I simply sat with and they told me about "their New York" when they were young and so newly in love and here for their honeymoon.How they had moved south and created the American Dream for themselves.

New York is the birthplace of America, the spirit of the American Revolution and there is nothing more American than Country Music, so to me it seems so natural that the country awards show would come to New York.

Monday there will be Country Music at Carnegie Hall with a cavalcade of today's top country stars, much like the famous sixties show at Carnegie Hall with Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Miss Minnie Pearl, among others. On one visit with my dear mentor, Miss Minnie, she told me about that night and how gossip mongers had spread rumors of cat fights and competition between all female stars, especially stories about "rivals" Cline and Lynn.

"When I walked in that dressing room and saw the two of them talking and giggling, I just put my hands on my hips and said, 'Leave it to the two of you to put an end to all this she-squabbling!"

Speaking of Miss Minnie, with her dangling price tag from her flowered hat, that's another thing these city women have in common with here. Hardly a day goes by that some lady at my job doesn't walk by my desk, with price tags tucked up her sleeve so she can return what she's wearing the next day. I feel Miss Minnie's hand on my shoulder so often in my life and always with a great sense of humor but always a wonderfully humbling message as well.

Like one time I had been hired to read tarot cards at a very cheecheeLA-dee-dah party in a very beautiful mansion on the Upper East Side and I knew I had to look like I made the money I was charging them. I found a Thierry Mugler designer purple suit at my favorite thrift store for only $12 -yes I DID say, $12! I cut out the tag, got dressed, felt great-worked the party beautifully with great soul satisfaction in my readings and floated home feeling so cool. As I undressed, when I took of the suit skirt off I found the thing that had been poking me all night was the second price tag, reading 2pc./$12. I burst out laughing at myself and my high and mighty ways and I whispered a thank you to my dear sweet Miss Minnie.

Yes, Country Music takes Manhattan. No other artistic community has made as much of a contribution to Post 9/11 Patriotism, consistently being there for our service men - giving them the constant and unconditional support that the Troops not only NEED, but so richly deserve. No matter what one feels about the war, we must all agree we support our boys.

Of course Country Music has indeed made a truckload of money with this theme which is why I find it all the more respectful that the CMAs are honoring that truth by giving back economically to New York City and bringing the Awards Show to the Apple. Even the "purist country folks", some out in Brooklyn for instance would still have to admit they have profited by what to me is the true "Royal Visit". All I know is, I've never been more proud to be the country hillbilly I always and forever am TRULY gonna be, just like Loretta sang, "When you're looking at me, you're looking at COUNTRY!".

Welcome to New York CMAs and country kinfolk!

Welcome to From Under My Hat

2005-07-20T17:42:00.000-04:00

From under my hat is a place where I hope to share my different views on very different topics. It is also a place for those of you who do read what I write and who wish to comment on my opinions are more than welcome to do so. I chose the title, "From Under My Hat" because as a former society editor and a fan of Hedda Hopper, I just feel it's the only proper place for a lady to hide her secrets. Unless of course we are talking about Miss Angel Drake for she keeps her secrets in another place entirely. I would also love to have any suggestions for topics to write about that might interest you as this will also be a forum to develop the point of view for my new solo show, a hick in the Big City. So again, welcome and I hope you will enjoy this as much as I all ready am enjoying my very own blog--yes, that's right BLOG. Not to be confused with The Blob a horror movie made great mainly by the presence of the beautiful Steve McQueen. (I guess that gives you a small taste of what we're in for here) Until then, I'm just a Big City Hick.