I was exposed to guitar playing early in life. I have memories of my father playing guitar in the 1950s. During the Great Depression, Dad’s father bought a used Gibson L5 acoustic guitar for the family to play. Dad loved the sound when his sisters played minor chords on the Gibson. Soon he picked up the guitar and learned some chords.
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Category: About Me
Stories about me (David Swanger).
Cocked and Loaded
In the mid-1990s, my friend James B convinced me to help move his girlfriend’s belongings from her apartment in Auburn, Alabama. Her lease had expired. She was in the hospital and couldn’t help.
The apartment was a two-story condo, as were all apartments in this complex. During the move, James B and I were in different rooms on the second floor when I heard a loud explosion. I walked toward the explosion and found him holding a pistol.
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On Call
I worked for decades in Information Technology. I was on call for years but rarely was called, our systems were very reliable.
I was booked with the band Kidd Blue to play a Saturday afternoon outdoor show for a big event several years ago. Thousands of people were expected to attend. I was looking forward to the event. Some friends visited us that weekend; they were planning to appear at the gig/event the next day. I was on call for my regular job that weekend but wasn’t worried.
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The Ring
I don’t like wearing rings; they’re uncomfortable, and I sometimes get nervous about cutting off circulation in my ring finger. Plus, I’m worried I’ll injure my ring finger if the ring catches on a hoop while I’m dunking a basketball (kidding). Still, most married people wear rings, so I follow the rules and wear my ring.
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The Drunk Bride
I was hired by an unnamed party band to play guitar for a wedding reception in North Alabama. I arrived and discovered a first-class venue, with a chapel next door to a large party room. We set up in the party room, and then three members of the six-piece band went next door to the chapel to perform at the actual wedding.
The three band members returned after the wedding, and they told us that the bride was drunk. Seriously, she was drunk? They were adamant; she was very drunk.
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Introverts versus Extroverts
I am an extrovert. I talk too much, make too much noise, like big parties and love crowds. I feed off the energy of big, boisterous crowds.
My wife Barbara is an introvert (boy, is she ever). She is quiet, isn’t fond of parties, and seriously hates crowds. Big crowds steal energy from her.
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