The Big Jug Band
the biggest jug band ... ever, family, superheroic collection of awesome
I moved to Austin in late 1999 with the hopes of meeting and making some music with other musicianers. I thought there was a chance I might be able to learn much more about playing music, as well as the history of music in America and abroad; perhaps, even learn about the music business and how to earn a living from this art.
So, I thought it wise to rifle through each week's classified listings in The Chronicle looking for others following any similar paths. It didn't take long before something popped up.
... Something odd.
"Bass: (Wash-tub) - [looking for others interested in old-timey and jug band music]"
I read the above heading (the bracketed bits are paraphrased) and had to stop once I passed the colon; how funny was it that this ad featured "wash-tub" in parentheses! The obvious thought was (is), "whoever this weirdo is must be fairly interesting at the least, I must endeavor to make the acquaintance!"
I'm so wonderfully glad I made the call.
It turns out the gentleman responsible for this post was an old friend of mine, Wags Macklin, who I had first met in the late 1800s. He was then a prize bare-knuckle boxer, known the world over for his great prowess in the ring. I had lost touch with Macklin during the Boxer Uprising. He had travelled to China after hearing of an organization called, "Righteousness and Harmonious Fists,” hoping to improve his already great pugilistic skills. I had only heard years and years later that he had gone on to achieve some note as a cliff diver and as a sponge tester.
Wags and I had a spectacular reunion filled with music and spirited discussion about our adventures and thoughts on banding together a few fellow superheroes (who also happened to be musicianers) to serve the public good. It turns out two others had contacted him about his ad, Brady Coleman and Craig High, two gentlemen whose names are widely known, of course, for their intellectual and physical contributions to so many different cultures around the world.
The four of us met soon after my reunion with Mr. Macklin and we set forth to find others like us.
We succeeded.
The band is now well over thirty members. Other bands have sprung forth from this aggregation. Families have grown because of this cultured crew. This planet (and a few others) has been saved a number of times by this troupe. Many souls wear broad smiles and many hearts are lighter due to the action of this dedicated assembly of do-gooders.
I am definitely very proud of this ensemble! I'm proud of the group and proud to be a member of such a group. So many of the happy folks that make up this orchestra have made an amazing difference in my life and continue to do so ... you just don't get any luckier!
I love you The Big Jug Band!
Thank you!
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"All night long, I dreamed of pretty girls and candy. Life is great!"
~ Alexander High
