I have a 'gig' to remember story to tell, somewhat along the lines of this thread ... Some years ago I had begun playing at the 8:15 Mass on Sundays along with the two guitar players who had been doing it for some years. Because we didn't need three guitars, and becasue I could add to the sound with other instruments, I usually brought along a banjo, or mandolin from time-to-time, and played along with the arrangments they had worked out.

One day after Mass, a little old lady came up to speak to me. She began by saying that she normally avoided the 8:15 Mass because she didn't like the idea of guitars in the liturgy, but this morning she had to go out of own, hence her appearance at the early 'folk'Mass. Well - it seems on this particular Sunday, I played two songs on the harmonica and, she said, when she saw me pull out my harmonica to play she thought that this was just way over the top! Too much. Harmonica certainly had NO place in the Mass ... but she said; 'you played it so beautifully I changed my mind.' It would be alright with her, it seems, if I played that harmonica anytime at Mass. Still, she wasn't so sure about those guitars!

Why is this a "gig to remember?" She was a sweet lady, and I understood her deep respect for liturgical tradition - therfore I understood the value of her great compliment, putting my harp playing in such high esteem - and I was touched. I haven;t played harmonica much in church - in fact I haven;t played in a church in years, but I still remember her face, and am greatful she took the time to speak to me!