Macungie (the Great Bear Swamp), PA
One of my favorite towns in America. I’ve roamed the hills of Macungie since my last days of Lehigh. I still remember the tornado that hit Long Swamp in the early 70’s. I worked carpentry out of college for my ‘patron of the arts’ Harry Duft, my first boss/piano player.
The Shimerville Sheiks were born and (in)bred outside of Sietzville on a hippie-dippie farm. And I’ll be returning to Huffs Church at Landhaven in March.
My family, Kim, my wife, Rosalie and Jaimie) started on Beck Road, a 1700’s tenant farmhouse with a small, old German-built barn. The gardens we left were the hardest thing to leave.
I left home (CT) for PA on Friday morning, in the rain, expecting to play at 5:30. I arrived at the ‘obviously’ downsized festival. Pulled in and called the contact. No gig. No contract. No check. Hmmm.
I checked in with my friend/sound engineer Phil at the main stage and he was able to finangle a travel check for me. Thanks, Phil. (City Entertainment)
I drove home to CT and got there about 10:30 pm. Long day, but a rare bummer gig. I really wanted to play Macungie. It’s now genetic, if you know what I mean.