I just had a great afternoon and evening!

[NightTrain]

From 3:00-5:00 this afternoon, I did a fill-in at my college radio station, and decided to play two hours of the Beach Boys. To say that the phone response was positive would be an understatement!

From 6:00-9:00 tonight, I took my maiden voyage to the 3rd Thursday Street Festival in Willimantic, CT (http://www.willimanticstreetfest.com). Every month from May to October, on the third Thursday, the city cordons off four blocks of Main Street in Willimantic for a street fair that includes live music on five stages, all manner of American and ethnic foods--my supper tonight comprised two tacos, half a salami grinder, jambalaya, chicken korma, falafel, and a handful of Tums--street performers, and representatives of local non-profit organizations, among others.

The DNC also had a half-dozen or so T-shirted young people collecting donations for the party, so I kicked in $5.00. I wish it could've been more, but as some of you know, I recently became unemployed. Whatever the case, the young woman I spoke with assured me that within 24 hours, my donation would be in Boston and working toward the re-defeat of King George the Unelected.

The radio station set up a table as well, from which we handed out WHUS bumper stickers and sold T-shirts. I had the chance to talk with a lot of people from the station who I hadn't seen in quite some time, not to mention that a lot of our listeners came up to tell us how much they appreciated having WHUS in the community. Plus, while I was out and about and talking with the various street vendors, a number of other people introduced themselves to me because they recognized my voice. "Hey, you're that SOUL EXPRESS guy!" Still more festival-goers thanked me for the above-mentioned Beach Boys special.

I ended the night by checking out a neo-soul band from Boston called 1 A Chord (pronounced, "one accord"), a seven-member mixed-race (and gender) outfit whose music wore its 1970s R&B influence on its sleeve. As I listened to 1 A Chord play, along with clapping my hands and bouncing my legs to the funk, I counted perhaps two dozen old school acts who must've influenced those young singers and musicians. The list includes Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, the Isley Brothers, Roberta Flack, and Marvin Gaye.

So when I say I just had a great afternoon and evening, I mean it by gum! And on Friday night and Saturday, it's the Road Agents' Sixth Annual Hot Rod and Rockabilly Rumble. (http://www.theroadagents.com)It's gonna be a kick-ass weekend for the ol' NightTrain, y'all!!! :headbang::bounce:

[flamingyouth]

1. Cool!

Sounds like an all-around good time - we expect a full report from this weekend!:hi:

[Kat45]

2. I'll have to keep an eye out for that band around Boston.

[NightTrain]

4. Definitely! You won't be disappointed.

[Droopy]

3. Good deal

I wish I could say the same. It wasn't all bad I just had to work. Now life is much better. I'm drinking beer, DUing and listening to Metallica. Doesn't get much better than that. Well, I guess there's sex, but what the hell, you can't have everything.