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| Some of these famous politicians have served time |
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| some of them are GOING to serve time later |
From Left to Right:
Hillary Clinton, Daniel Walker, Paul Simon, Paul Powell, Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris, Jesse White
and
NOW ENTERING THE BUILDING...
Sheila Simon
| Me and Our New Lieutenant Governor |
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| January 10,2011. The Inauguration Ball |
Senator
Paul Simon, his wife Jean, his daughter Sheila, her husband, Perry Knop and their daughters were all in attendance at Sheila's house.
The
occasion was a birthday party for Reilly, Sheila's eldest daughter (presidential candidate Paul Simon's granddaughters). I
think she was about twelve at the time. She's a BEAUTIFUL twenty-something woman now. Picture below, she and I
talking at the Inaugural Ball Jan. 10/ 11.
(I played classical flute duets with Olise Mandat, wife of the famous clarinetist Eric Mandat as the other flautist)
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I played for Hillary when she was on a cross-country tour campaigning
for her husband to become president the first time. This was in the Old Main courtyard with Jimmy Salatino and Robbie
Stokes (St. Stephen's Acoustic Trio). We played "The Times They Are A-Changin'". Hillary barely acknowledged
our presence as she walked next to us in the security area backstage. I thought she was kind of a bitch. She seemed
like she thought we were homeless people who were going to hit her up for change.
Governor
Dan Walker held two Christmas Parties one season... one for his children
and another for the adults. We played for both of them about a week apart. The T. Hart Group played for the affairs.
I remember playing "Danny Boy" for the Gov and his wife to dance to. I thought it strange that he didn't smile.
Some
of our posse was in the stage wing (at the Governor's Mansion) dressing room smoking pot. I was kinda scared that might
have repercussions but I guess no one was the wiser, because we never heard anything more about it.
I'll
never forget the large "Christmas Tree" of ice with large shrimp stuck all over it. Yummy!
Paul Powell was Secretary of State back in the 1960s after spending
30 years as a legislator, Speaker of the House and Minority Leader. He passed away while in office and when they cleared
out his apartment (in the St. Nicholas Hotel) in Springfield, they found several shoeboxes crammed with MONEY... Over $800,000.00
in all.
He was dear friends with Bump and Margaret Ruth Linton, the mother and father of two of the Egyptian Combo's players,
Doug and Rick. He was in attendance every Thanksgiving at the Linton's in Herrin, IL. and often dropped in around Christmas
too. He was originally from the same county... Jackson.
He was a giant FAN of the band and got us several gigs over the years, and was probably great help in getting us signed
with MGM records.
Well, anyway... amongst those politicos who have been to prison and those that will be later, Paul is the one who didn't
and won't, but if he'd lived he might have. He reputedly never earned over $30,000 a year, but left an estate worth
2M counting the shoeboxes.
Currently the MOST FAMOUS (or is that infamous?) politician for whom I ever played or probably ever will,
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I GIVE YOU Rod Blagojevich!
Have you heard the phrase, "His ass is grass!"? Well, his ass is grass and the State of Illinois is
the LAWNMOWER. He is about to cut off from the height of prairie grass to about the height of Bermuda grass. Without
going too far out on a limb, I think we can all agree, HE'S GOING TO DO SERIOUS TIME!
My group 4 on the Floor played for one of Rod's early fundraisers, just before he was elected for that first term. (I'm
totally embarrassed to say that I voted for him THE FIRST TIME) He hadn't been in office for two months before I realized
we'd all made a terrible mistake. I sure did not vote for him the second time.
One thing about Rod that is admirable?... He is a consummate flim-flam man, along the lines of P.T. Barnum. A real
showboater!
| 4 on the Floor and ROD B. |
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| Click for larger version on Page 5. |
Senator Roland Burris.
This man is doing time BUT I THINK HE GOT A RAW DEAL.
He is essentially doing time because he didn't check over the work two of his janitorial hirees were doing.
I don't believe one should be held criminally responsible for being dumb.
Anyway, my group the T. Hart Group (I guess it was really T's group) played for Senator Roland up in the
Ballrooms at "Forum 30" (otherwise known as "penis on the priairie") in Springfield, back when he was justVice-Chairman of
the Democratic National Committee and stumping for Mayor of Chicago. He hired us himself having known Thaddeus Hart
from downstate.
Secretary of State (IL) Jesse White.
4 on the Floor just played for an affair he was at about 1n 2009. It was the day my entire face swelled
up the size of a watermelon from a sudden onset drug allergy. I felt like hell already and had chalked it up to being
bitten by a bunch of chiggers at the Cache River Swamp.
The gig was called "the Seniors' Prom" held at the DuQuoin State Fair, 2009. Jesse got up and gave
a speech to the seniors after our first set. He awarded some awards. One of the senior couples was Peyton Blewett's
grandfolks Carl and Virginia Planinc. I think it was for longest marriage or something like that.
Jesse White has an ass the size of Texas.
Congressman Kenny Gray, another southern Illinoisan. Contemporary
of Paul Powell. Well known and well liked in the area. Kenny Gray sponsored the bill that sent us to the Moon
after being asked to by John F. Kennedy. He also was instrumental in getting Interstate 57 built AND Rend Lake itself.
Kenny used to hear the Egyptian Combo at all sorts of public affairs from West Frankfort to Marion to Carbondale.
He was always quick to smile and be friendly when I'd see him at the gas station or other public places. He gave
me and Darthamae Presley Davis a personal tour of his museum one day. She, being the sister of Wayman Presley, another
personal friend of his... builder of the Bald Knob Cross.
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