What meant the most to me last night about my performance on the grand piano at Allandale was the reality that I was performing for the Brooks family – the original owners and legacy of the Allandale Mansion. A few weeks ago, I ran into Andy Brooks while performing at the Dinner with The Dead benefit. He’s a new client we are proud to be working with on the Town and Country Realty website which we will launch in the next couple of weeks. Andy was there for the benefit and most of the stories that were told that night were about his grandfather Harvey Brooks – the first homeowners at Allandale.
I had been practicing my collection of Christmas music for the past couple of days including my favorite Peanuts music and took a few hours off to get ready for the gig. I arrived a little after six and the mansion was decked out in gold lights and poinsettias with a tree in every room. Andy was there getting ready for last minute preparations and before long people had started to come in the door as his daughter and her friends took care of everyone’s coat just inside the entrance..
My first song for the evening – one of my favorite Vince Guaraldi tunes – an improvisation on Oh Christmas Tree. I must have played a couple of hours before taking a break and when I did, I had a chance to talk to lots of friends. Steve and Lisa Lohoff were there with their children. They are realtors in the Gray office and Lisa is working with us on the new website, but Steve goes a long way back. He used to be the manager at Rush Street many years ago when Ahab and the Wailers used to play and he still talks about that band. Steve was involved in a near-tragic auto accident a few years ago when a hit-and-run driver pummeled into him and his bike on a curvy backroad in Jonesboro. Steve’s life was in danger for some time and his upper body and arm were mangled in the accident. Over the years though his determination and great spirit has brought him back to everything I remember – a tall, handsome man with a contagious smile. He’s a blessed man too with a wonderful family.
Charlie Branch and Vic Brooks (Andy’s son) was there. Our paths cross regularly as they are part of Abbi Strickler’s circle. Charlie is a talented guitarist and singer and he’s just started his own Heating and Air Company in his early twenties. Vic is a regular around town too and we always love buying each other a drink. Vic is a broker for Town and Country too and had a posse of young people with him tonight – Kingsport’s new generation. I also had a chance to talk with Jewel McKinney and Gary Baker – both past and present presidents of the Northeast Tennessee Realtors Association. They both are a delightful and great clients to be working with. Both seemed impressed with my playing too away from the office and I appreciate their compliments. Believe it or not, someone did say…”Hey I loved the Vince Guaraldi.”
My break was a short time to grab another glass of red wine and mingle a bit, but the room I was playing in was packed with people. They had stand-up tables there and that’s where the desserts were located – Black Forest Cake, Red Velvet, lots of Fudge and a couple of pastries that looked like a stroke ready to happen. I played through most all of my Christmas tunes and folded in a few jazz tunes with Parker, Miles, Monk and Gonzalez.
About 9.00, most of the people had left, so I took the time to scavage some remaining prime rib, chicken and various catering mysteries. Several people with the Chamber were still hanging out along with Charlie Brooks – Andy’s brother. I’ve played Allandale many times over the years and this was about as close to the family as I could get. Andy’s got 5 sons and daughters of his own and I can’t help but imagine that his grandfather would have a smile stretched to its limits to see such a successful family and a home that continues to warm new friendships in our little town.
It was a good performance I think. I had more fun on my third glass of wine, but that might be expected. My mother has uncovered a CD of my Christmas music from some time back and that encouraged me to locate the tunes and link them here on the blog for others to download and enjoy. Thanks Andy and Town and Country for a warm, delightful evening with your family and I can’t wait to come back.
Merry Christmas! – Enjoy the music. Click here for an index of Dave’s Christmas Toonz.