Updated: 22 May 2007

We’d like to test your memories and sample your writing skills.  Over the course of the hundreds of Open Stages, multitudes of special concerts, and countless jams, workshops, and classes there is probably one event or moment that particularly touched you.  Write us a short essay about that favorite memory and send it to  feedback@blackroseacoustic.org. We’ll select a few to publish in upcoming newsletters.

Ron Thomas 

And here's our first entry:

Some years back I was enjoying a performance by cowboy singer & poet Gary Knighting. He was telling a story in animated fashion, and somehow managed to knock into the stage stool and have it fall on top of him. It must have smarted like crazy. Even with a nosebleed, though, he got up, dusted himself off and went on with the show. I was so impressed that I wrote this poem (Attack of the Vicious Stage Stool). I shared it with Gary who took it in good humor. Sometimes laughter is indeed the best medicine.

 Nancy Marshall

Attack of the Vicious Stage Stool

By Nancy B. Marshall

for Gary Knighting, cowboy poet, musician and valiant stage warrior

That night started out nice enough.

We were gathered in our old community hall

For a night of tall tales and fine music.

You were on the stage, having a ball.

You were telling a story of cowboys and trucks.

You proceeded with great animation.

How could we have known an inanimate stool

Would leave you up there in prostration?

It must have been planning its move,

Sitting quietly through the first act,

Laying in wait for a greater challenge:

A man in a big cowboy hat.

Being compared to a truck seat

Was something this stool didn’t like.

It bulldogged you down, smacked you on the nose

And careened just an inch from the mike.

Like a crazy new rodeo rider,

In eight seconds, or really in four,

That stool had us all on the edge of our seats

And you seeing stars on the floor.

But, possessed of a true cowboy spirit,

You wrestled it into submission,

And finished the story, with one eye turned back,

You kept talking until intermission.

I half expected to see it pawing the floor,

Challenging for another go-round.

But I guess you showed it what cowboys are made of,

‘Cause those four legs did not leave the ground.

Next time you’ll know better, bring your hobbles and rope,

Then step up with a smile on your face.

Tell us your stories and sing us your songs,

But bring some first-aid just in case.