Vision + Voice Day 057

Folk-Singers, Cowboy Boots and Beards

My Uncle Mike was 50% Irish (like my mom is…I’m just 25% Irish). He died before I had a chance to remember much of him beyond snap-shot photographs, I was maybe 3 or 4. But about 6 years ago I bonded with him…more than 25 years after he passed-away.

In true “Almost Famous” fashion I uncovered a box. It was a box of old reel-to-reel albums — Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jim Croce and Cat Stevens…these had belonged to Uncle Mike. But unlike William Miller in “Almost Famous” this was not my introduction to these artists. I don’t recall how I eased my way into the folky, singer-songwriter genre, but over time I had acquired a significant liking for it. So, the uncovering of this box of reel-to-reels was more about validation than discovery.

Then I realized this wasn’t the first connection we had. If you have ever met me in person there’s a good chance you’ve seen me wear a pair of cowboy boots. These were my Uncle Mike’s cowboy boots that were passed down to my brother Mike (I don’t think he wore them, ever) and then, around my senior year of High School, I dug them out of a closet, dusted them off and have yet to put them away. And one last connection: ever since I left the Army I have spent more time than not with a beard, Uncle Mike had a beard.

So, here’s to Folk-Singers, Cowboy Boots and Beards…Happy Uncle Mike’s Day, err…St. Patrick’s Day.