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Then in 1981, my son was born and my lovely guitar found herself in my closet. Twenty years went by. I brought her out on a few occasions during that time once for my son, Jesse, to perform in a lip sync at the Middle School, another time for a friend to play while we sang together. Finally, in 2002, at an annual music party, my sweetheart convinced me to show my guitar to a fine woodworker and instrument maker. She was in such bad shape by then that I was too embarrassed to bring her in the house. One look at her and he knew she was worth rebuilding. Stewart put an amazing amount of time and love into the restoration. He didn't want to give her back when he was done! That was when she got her name, Betty Lou. It took me a while to become dedicated to her, but now I am playing every day and writing songs again. So much joy is in my life from her elegant music. Here is what Lenny Laks wrote Pattie In the early 70's........I don't recall xactly when......all of my musical equipment ( and mostly everything else too) was stolen from, my San Francisco apartment. It was pretty bleak. I had no money to replace anything, and everything just ground to a halt. A few days later, as if by magic.......my friend Bill Stapleton presented me with a brand new blonde......guitar that is.......a Guild F-50.......just like the Everly Brothers and Elvis. The guitar was perfect. And although it weighed a ton, it also played a Just last year I gave it a bunch of work.....frets, bridge, neck, and even new binding.......the real deal from Guild. The repair folks left the blood inside, for authentic proof of a lifetime of service.
It was on a Friday night. We had been getting together for TGIF potlucks for several weeks when Janna said, "Paul & I thought it would be fun if we started singing together." "I'm in," I said, not believing my good fortune. I had been wanting to find a small group to sing with for a few years. It hadn't even occured to me that it could be a group of good friends! In January 2003, after being together for over a year, we sang at Hans & Anne's party. Friends come from around the state for a weekend party of music. This time, everyone was there. We stood off to the side, getting warmed up, adding some harmonies now and then. When it was our turn to be in the spotlight, we sang our hearts out. And they loved us! Musicians & audience, friends who have heard us at parties along the way, our loyal roadies who hear us every week. What a great feeling. During the evening, Mike smiled at me. He said, "Pattie, you've been telling me for three years that you really wanted to sing more. You sure are doing it now."
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