THE SHIRT OFF MY BACK

I was not surprised that the teenage girl sat by the piano chatting with me while I worked on it. Teens usually liked to be around me, and being the youth leader at my church, I was accustomed to interacting with them. Besides, I was the cool guy. A genuine professional musician, with a pony tail. Or, was it my teased out perm phase? (Yes,I had hair once.) Also,since this girl was the piano player, she often coaxed me into showing her some new jazz scale, as her teacher disapproved of anything not classical. I had tuned her piano ever since she started lessons and over the years had taught her many keyboard gymnastics that she enjoyed impressing her friends with. The last thing I expected her to ask me was where she could get a flannel shirt like the one I was wearing. Of course, she knew where to buy a normal sized shirt, but, not where to get a huge 4 XL like mine. It seems the fad among teen girls that year was to wear the biggest flannel shirts they could get their hands on like a jacket. I started to explain that the shirt had to be mail ordered from a big men's speciality catalog, and, since it was a niche market, you had to pay big bucks. Then, came an inspiration! "You know what hon," I said. "This is my last job tonight. I can drive home in my undershirt. It's all yours." How's that for value added customer service? She's a mom now with teens of her own. I still tune her piano. She often tells her kids, "Mister Aaron once gave me the shirt off his back." As I write this the fad with teens is over sized baggy pants. I hope no one asks.

CUDDLY DUDLEY

Dudley Moore is remembered by most people as a comedic actor, but, I revere him as a talented pianist and composer. Born in England, he attended Oxford university on an organ scholarship and went on to become an accomplished jazz pianist. He fronted his own trio for many years while developing his skills as a composer. He wrote many original works as well as new arrangements for existing standards. He also scored a number of films. He often played the piano in his movies. In my opinion, his music career was eclipsed by his more lucrative profession as an actor. I estimate he was married about four times, so perhaps, there was a need for cash flow.

His "Cuddly Dudley" nickname came from the fact that, despite his short stature (about 5'3"), many females found him irresistible. Not only was he once married to Tuesday Weld, but, dated beautiful women such as Susan Anton. He was noted for his charm and wit.

New Jersey was Dudley's residence of choice, and, when he died in 2002 of Progressive Supra Nuclear, a brain disorder, he was buried near his long time home in Plainfield. He was about 66 years old. Although not quite the train nut I am, he had an interest in railroading due to the fact that his father was a railway electrician. Trains were the subject we usually discussed. Model trains were often used in his movies which, presumably, gave him something to play with during lulls in filming.

We met in the 1980's. He was the house guest of piano tuning clients of mine in Cherry Hill, N.J. These folks had an entry level grand piano, purchased more as a piece of furnature, than as an instrument. Were it a car, it would be one of those low priced sub compacts you buy for your kid to drive at college. However, my clients did have me service the piano regularly. When Moore chanced to play it, he was surprised at how good it sounded. He reasoned that if I could make a piano like that sound so good, I would do a marvelous job on the quality instruments he played. He asked his hosts for my number.

CANINE PROTOCOL

About forty years ago,I was tuning a piano in the sitting room of a private country club on Philadelphia's posh "Main Line" when I heard the distinct sound of a pack of hounds. It was the middle of summer, much too hot for fox hunting. I went to the window and observed a jack rabbit being chased by a large pack of beagle dogs, who were being pursued by about a dozen people on foot wearing clothing similar to that which is worn for fox hunting, but, green in color, rather than red. I recalled seeing something similar when, as a youngster, my grandparents took me to Wales to visit some of our relatives. I recalled the activity was called beagleing. A rabbit is not as fast as a fox, and a beagle is not as fast as a fox hound, so, you can run on foot behind the pack. Some time later the beagle chasers came in for afternoon tea and an elderly gent plopped himself in a chair next to the piano. He was gasping for breath as the sweat rolled down his face and neck and disappeared into the collar of his heavy woolen jacket. When he had regained his composure I spoke, "Pardon me sir, I understand the sport of beagleing, but, not the clothing. Since it's summer, why not just wear tennis outfits? It would be so much cooler." He glared at me in disbelief, sizing me up for the peasant that I am, and stated in a disparaging tone of voice, "After all, young man, one owes it to the hounds." Thereafter, if any of our dogs needed some expensive pet accessory, or, if we were handed a large veterinary bill, I would turn to my wife and say, "well my dear, one owes it to the hounds."

HAIL TO THE CHIEF

FACT TO KNOW: When President Clinton was in the midst of his scandals, someone leveled the accusation that, while he was a governor, he used state police officers to find him women to have liaisons with. I don't recall if this charge was ever proved.

THE STORY: It would surprise many to learn that New Jersey has a number of Indian tribes, and, that many tribal members play the piano. Some major in music at college. One day I was on my way to the home of a tribal Chief to tune his piano, when, I happened to hear on the car radio that a law had been passed decreeing that all Indian Chiefs were to be accorded the same privileges as state governors. When I arrived I commented, "Well Chief, I understand you are to be honored just like a governor." The elderly Chief, usually a man of few words, smiled and said, "True, and even as we speak, I have state troopers out looking for women for me."

BLOG NUMBER 19