Daddy’s Levi Denim Jacket

Father’s Day  2014

It’s been almost two and a half years now since Dad passed on yet it seems like only yesterday.  I’m thinking of him today on Father’s Day.  I have a few of his possessions that were passed on to me; several of his wood carvings of the Grand Canyon, a hunting knife, a 1968 D-35 Martin guitar, a leather jacket with a Navy pin on the lapel and a Levi Denim Jacket.  A few weeks ago I wrote a song about that jacket which brings me comfort to wear now.  Last time I saw Dad he was waving goodbye, saying he loved me and advising me to go out and have some fun in this world and not worry so much.  This Thursday I’ll be doing just that as I head up to Saluda(near Asheville) in the mountains of N.C. to play at a venue called The Purple Onion with Aaron Ballance joining me on dobro, guitar and lap steel.  I’m gonna eat, drink and be merry with Stony and Susan and play my songs for all the good people up there and I’ll wake up in the mountains on Friday to cooler temperatures and good coffee.  Dad would like all that.  Happy Father’s Day to you all, my friends!

Best,

Bruce Piephoff

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Daddy’s Levi Denim Jacket

Ain’t got much to remember the old man
A hunting knife and a D-35
But I still wear his old Levi denim jacket

The arms are a little short
The back’s a little tight
But the fleece lining’s warm
On a cold winter’s night
So I still wear his old Levi denim jacket

He was a weightlifter and he ran the mile
Listened to Caruso and he had a nice smile
An aerial gunner’s mate
In the Navy in WWII
So I still wear his old Levi denim jacket

His ashes took flight in the middle of the night
On a Harley Davidson to his favorite sight
Grand Canyon, Arizona
The place where he felt right
And I still wear his old Levi Denim jacket (2)

5/2014
words & music by Bruce Piephoff, Piephoff Music, ASCAP

Hot Town Summer in the City

Back of my neck gettin’ dirt and gritty.  Carolina Piedmont heat is back and soon our vegetables will be bulgin’ on the vine; tomatoes, squash, basil, eggplant and peppers.  Suddenly it is so lush driving across N.C. to gigs.  After playing the Twin-City Ribfest, I’m heading up to Saluda in the mountains for a gig at The Purple Onion.  A very cool venue owned by Susan and Stony, old friends.  Stony is a sculptor.  I’ve been playing there since the mid 90s.  My friend, Aaron Ballance, who has just moved back to the mountains after getting his MFA in poetry here at UNCG will be joining me on dobro and acoustic guitar.  Thanks to my buddy, Scott Sawyer, for giving my website a new look and getting me started on this blog.  I’ve got a few gigs in June left and then plan to take July and August to work on some new writing; songs and poems, and maybe record them in a home setting lo-fi.  Got about a dozen to 15 new pieces I’m pulling together slowly.  Shaping up to be kind of a musical memoir in poetry and song.  Watched some of the Maya Angelou tribute gathering today and was very moved by Cicely Tyson’s remembrances of her friend and by Bill Clinton’s remarks.  Following a bit of the French Open and the NBA Finals.  Love to watch Nadal play and the Heat-Spurs Finals is gonna be a smoker.  Trying to stay flush with gratitude instead of stuffed with fear.  Hope to see you all soon out on the road.  Will keep in touch.

Always,

Bruce Piephoff