Somewhere around 1967 my little guitar and I became the opening act for Dave VanRonk, who was a fairly frequent performer at the Fret. How I got the job I do not know except that at that time I was a twenty-one year old leggy long-haired redhead.

My theater group was performing next door in the Pocket Playhouse so there was some connection there, I suppose.

I had very little talent, could strum chords on the guitar and sing pretty well, but opening for Dave Van Rock was another story. Sitting upstairs with him (and his bottle - was it Jack?)alone waiting to go on was very intimidating. He didn't talk very much and when he did it was with that rough rasp.

Needless to say, he blew the house away when he performed. I don't think this was a particularly good night for him. Those of you who knew him better can fill in the blanks.

Great memory of a simpler time.