During one of the Northwest Folklife Festivals in the late 1970s, I was scheduled to sing in one of the evening stage shows that they were broadcasting (was that in the Playhouse or the Arena? Can't remember.) I found out that Baby Gramps was scheduled to go on before me. And here I am, this bland ballad singer. The cliché that popped into mind was "This guy's a real tough act to follow."

But little did I know. I checked program list posted backstage. It turned out I wasn't following Baby Gramps directly. I was following Elizabeth Cotton!!

But it was a generous audience. They let me live.

I first heard Baby Gramps busking in the University District, I think it was back in the mid or late 1960s. When I first heard him, I thought, "What the hell is that!??" But then I really started listening and realized that the guy is a snort and a half. You never know what he's going to do next. A real entertainer.

Love his palindromes!

Don Firth