[Harp-L] sitting in

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

 I had been sitting here lamenting the loss of opportunity to see Mark 
Hummel at the Beached Whale in Ft. Myers Beach a few weeks ago. 
Ostensibly, I was supposed to meet harp-l member 'cap'n crazy harp' 
(aka Chip Swider) for an evening of frivolity. Since I had been in 
communication via e-mail, but had never met him, I didn't know what to 
expect. I had heard that he was a protoge of the famous "Iceman". So, 
that in itself left me a little intimidated. I had learned many yrs ago 
that Larry (and anyone remotely associated with him) were 'dangerous'.

 Well, the deal fell through. Something about Hummel's tour bus 
breaking down. We did, however, finally meet Sunday. He sent me a 
message about a benefit show for a boy with lukemia and the band was to 
be "Blues Pig". I was given to understand that the harp player was very 
good. Well, he was way PAST good. Mark DeFraties (spelling?) was the 
dude and he was excellent. It was immediately obvious to me that HERE 
was a guy to be reconned with and had studied all the 'masters'. His 
use of the high range(s) totally superb.

 Apparently mr. DeFraties was 40 and had had lesson(s?) from Pete Ruth 
(another dangerous dude) about 20 yrs. ago up in Detroit. During a 
break, DeFraties asked my new friend Chip Swider to sit in. A..Haaaaa, 
the famous 'sitting in schtick'. Chip pointed over at me and said 
"Maybe HE might, but I don't think I'm ready". I slithered out of it 
like a slimey worm by assuring that I had NO harps with me. Aaaaanyway, 
Chip sat in. It was a real treat. Here were two guys complimenting each 
other. DeFraties blasted away while Chipper added in background and 
flourishes.

 It turns out that mr Chip Swider did everything right. He didn't try 
to be pushy or shovey. Just added to the ambience. If I were to cast 
one regret, it would be that Chip didn't do ENOUGH, but it appears he 
is shy and that's how he deemed to handle it at the time. I'm SURE the 
band wasn't sorry they had him sit in and considering that it was 
'sound unheard' (sorta like sight-unseen), the whole deal paid off.

btw; Chip was exactly what I expected: American looking. He even had 
his lovely wife with him. I know he's too shy to say anything about 
this, so I took it upon myself......so THERE.

p.s. I had harps in the trunk of my car, BUT I was wearing new shoes 
and didn't want these guys to blow the soles off of em.

smokey-joe's friendly ghost