Mr. Bill is a musical man. He’s the clutch player on a Trivia Dream Team. Play a song and not only can he name that tune, he will tell you who wrote it, what group recorded it and when. You are assured of victory IF the genre is rock and roll AND from the third quarter of the 20th century. Okay, I’ll grant you that Mr. Bill is a highly specialized, designated player, but he’s still the man.

Mr. Bill, however, is much more than a fan, he is also a musician who plays guitar and tenor sax. Retirement has filled our home with music. Elvis may have left the building, but Mr. Bill is in the house. Ballads suit this one man band, and it’s a lucky day for me, if I happen to be down the hall painting in my studio, when he is strumming his Gibson. Music is a creative muse, but when I am not at my easel, muse morphs into motivator. Housework is vastly improved by song. Dust Bunnies can really get down to Bob Dylan’s “Wagon Wheel”. When they hear the refrain, rock me mama, they start hopping, the laundry joins in, swirling like the wind and the rain, and the vacuum grooves like a southbound train. “Wagon Wheel” holds a special place in my heart; it was the first song that Mr. Bill taught our grandson Billy, and it has become the two Williams signature song. Now one might think that “Puff the Magic Dragon”, might have been a more appropriate song to teach a four year old, but not Mr. Bill. Oh, the lullabies he sang to his grandchildren were unusual choices indeed. Yet The Kinks’ “Well Respected Man”, worked like a charm every time. Mr. Bill and Billy had a plan for their musical debut, our daughter Audry’s wedding reception. And what song did young Billy serenade his Godmother with on her wedding day? Why “Wagon Wheel” of course!

A night out with Mr. Bill becomes magical when there’s live music, especially concerts under the stars, but truth be told, Mr. Bill doesn’t need any urging to let the music take him higher, for he’s already there, whether indoors or out. On winter evenings in Florida, Mr. Bill can be found tapping and clapping along to our favorite cover bands, The Sierra Band and The Andrew Morris Band. He’s even learned a few 21st century tunes, adding Zac Brown Band’s ,”Chicken Fried”, to his play list. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? In the good old summertime, when the deep purple falls over sleepy garden walls, you’ll find Mr. Bill back in Connecticut, down by the riverside, in his hometownPortland, or in fields of gold, also known as Simsbury.

Outdoor venues offer more than music; there’s also great people watching. Well before the first notes sound, a wave of pre-show excitement ripples through the crowd, as music lovers arrive and find a spot to enjoy the show. Seasoned concert goers have established routines. Some travel light, carrying a box of pizza and a six-pack, with a rolled blanket tucked under their arms. Some bring everything but the kitchen sink. In addition to dishes, glasses and cutlery, they transport tables, chairs, linens and even candelabras for their multi course, al fresco dinners. They set a high bar, which we happily limbo under. Mr. Bill has his drill down pat. He doesn’t pack up the babies and grab the old ladies, but with a little help from our friends, he pulls a wagon packed with a picnic basket, a little wine (well perhaps a generous amount of wine) and folding chairs; for although I can dig it, he can dig it, she can dig it, we can dig it, they can dig it, these Boomers are too old for grazing in the grass. Even if it’s a gas, we’ll pass. Chairs. Chairs are the great generational divide at outdoor events!

We’ve been lucky Mr. Bill and I, to have seen many of our favorite bands throughout the years. It’s always a delightful surprise, when acts from our era are still touring, and we catch their encore performances whenever we can. Like love, they are often better, even lovelier the second time around and as good once as they ever were. Audiences sing along to the sound track of their youth. It feels like we are reminiscing with old friends, grateful they are still rockin in the free world.

New Hampshire’s native son, Tom Rush, has long been a favorite of Mr. Bill. He jumped at the chance to see him again, when Rush was performing at The Kate in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. Not an outdoor concert, as in days gone by but in the old town hall, repurposed as an entertainment venue. It was a chilly, damp evening, and I must confess, we were happy to trade our preferred canopy of stars for the comfort of deeply cushioned seats. A folk-rock balladeer, Rush was the first to record Joni Mitchel and Jackson Browne songs, adding, “The Circle Game” and “Shadow Dream Song” to his incredible musical catalogue. Wrong End of the Rainbow, Tom Rush’s 1970 album, is the one Mr. Bill likes best, and “Biloxi” is the song he plays from that LP. Mr. Bill prefers a turntable to streaming, agreeing with Neil Young, that if music can’t be heard live, vinyl is best. Hearing Rush at 83 sing Canadian songwriter, Davis Wiffen’s, “Driving Wheel”, was an unexpected emotional experience. Rush’s voice deeper and more mellow with age, lent pathos to the song’s lament, I feel like some old engine, lost my driving wheel. The poignant ballad that we fell in love with in our twenties, is now hitting rather close to the bone. Yet, more than ever, I need you, rings true. After the show, Rush lingered to talk with fans and autograph his new album, Gardens Old, Flowers New. Timing is everything and Rush hasn’t lost his. When Mr. Bill mentioned that he had last seen him in concert 50 years ago, Rush, not missing a beat replied,”you came back”!

Surprisingly, the one thing Mr. Bill and I do not have, is or own song. I know,’tis strange but as Jim Morrison sang, people are strange. Perhaps it’s because we love so many songs, we could not possibly choose just one. And whatever gets you thru the night is alright, alright with us. However, if pressed, I will admit to being partial to Dr. Hook’s “You Make My Pants Want to Get Up and Dance”

Pop Quiz! Name that tune. Extra points for guessing the year correctly!

Wagon Wheel-Bob Dylan, music and chorus, 1973- Lyrics added by Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, 1998- Covered by Darius Rucker, 2013

Puff the Magic Dragon– Peter, Paul and Mary, 1963

Well Respected Man– The Kinks, 1965

I Want to Take You Higher– Sly and The Family Stone, 1969

Chicken Fried– Zac Brown Band, 2005

In the Good Old Summer Time- 1902

Down By the Riverside- 19th century traditional spiritual

Deep Purple– Nino Temple and April Stevens, 1963

Limbo Rock- Chubby Checker, 1958

Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show- Neil Diamond, 1969

With a Little Help from My Friends- The Beatles, 1967

Grazing in the Grass- Friends of Distinction, 1969

The Second Time Around- Bing Crosby, 1960

As Good As I Once Was- Toby Keith, 2005

Rockin in the Free World-Neil Young, 1989

Driving Wheel- Tom Rush, 1970

Whatever Gets You Thru the Night- John Lennon, 1974

People Are Strange-The Doors, 1967

You Make My Pants Want to Get Up and Dance-Dr. Hook, 1967