Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Hello Little Rock and Roller
For at least half of the thirty years we lived in Greenville, South Carolina, we were avid listeners of WNCW, an NPR affiliate out of western North Carolina. Month in month out we heard them announce regional concerts and music festivals, many of which featured an obvious local favorite, singer-songwriter Marshall Chapman, who haled from nearby Spartanburg. In all those years we attended lots of concerts, but never once saw, heard or met her. For a long time, I'm embarrassed to add, I wasn't sure whether Marshall Chapman was a he or a she.
Fast forward to April, 2011. While visiting Greenville, several friends mentioned having seen her (yes, she's a she) speak at the Greenville TED-X event, and one friend who'd recently met her, said Marshall often visits San Miguel de Allende. Who knew?
Last week, we received in invitation from our close friends Warren & Tuli to attend a potluck dinner and private concert at their home, featuring none other than Marshall Chapman.
What a serendipitous delight! After having rained like a bastard all afternoon, the skies cleared, the wind freshened and we were given a perfect, clear, cool summer evening. We sipped wine and tequila as Marshall mingled with us in a tank top and flip-flops. We enjoyed an over-the-top feast. Warren built a crackling bonfire as the sun set. And soon we two dozen guests gathered around Marshall -- no one further than 15 feet away -- and lost ourselves in her funny, sweet, meandering acoustic set. It felt so intimate I never even took a photo. I was afraid to break the spell, the intimate connection we all felt with her and each other. Karen and I agreed, it was truly one of the most magical evenings we've ever experienced any time, anywhere.
At one point, between songs, she looked up and asked "Which one of you is Goot?" Everyone pointed; I think I actually blushed. She said numerous folks had told her she needed to meet the Goots in San Miguel. I suspect we didn't much measure up to the hype, but it was a fine "fifteen minutes of fame" moment nonetheless.
Now Marshall and I are in the same Warren Hardy Spanish 1 class together, three mornings a week for three weeks. It feels sort of like we're new-found friends, the only two South Carolinians in the room. Whatever. It's an amazing, small world we inhabit and San Miguel continues to be an inexplicable magnet for kindred spirits from near and far away. May it long continue.
Fast forward to April, 2011. While visiting Greenville, several friends mentioned having seen her (yes, she's a she) speak at the Greenville TED-X event, and one friend who'd recently met her, said Marshall often visits San Miguel de Allende. Who knew?
Last week, we received in invitation from our close friends Warren & Tuli to attend a potluck dinner and private concert at their home, featuring none other than Marshall Chapman.
What a serendipitous delight! After having rained like a bastard all afternoon, the skies cleared, the wind freshened and we were given a perfect, clear, cool summer evening. We sipped wine and tequila as Marshall mingled with us in a tank top and flip-flops. We enjoyed an over-the-top feast. Warren built a crackling bonfire as the sun set. And soon we two dozen guests gathered around Marshall -- no one further than 15 feet away -- and lost ourselves in her funny, sweet, meandering acoustic set. It felt so intimate I never even took a photo. I was afraid to break the spell, the intimate connection we all felt with her and each other. Karen and I agreed, it was truly one of the most magical evenings we've ever experienced any time, anywhere.
At one point, between songs, she looked up and asked "Which one of you is Goot?" Everyone pointed; I think I actually blushed. She said numerous folks had told her she needed to meet the Goots in San Miguel. I suspect we didn't much measure up to the hype, but it was a fine "fifteen minutes of fame" moment nonetheless.
Now Marshall and I are in the same Warren Hardy Spanish 1 class together, three mornings a week for three weeks. It feels sort of like we're new-found friends, the only two South Carolinians in the room. Whatever. It's an amazing, small world we inhabit and San Miguel continues to be an inexplicable magnet for kindred spirits from near and far away. May it long continue.
# posted by goots @ 9:17 AM 
