I wish to convey my sadness and also the best of good thoughts to Chris Gena and Chanda. What a pop you had (still have as I bet he is around somewhere...not being disrespectful but when my own father passed away a LOT of things happened to let me know he was really still around -something I never believed in prior to be honest).
When I was 17 a wonderful boyfriend took me to see your pop at the Golden Bear on the PCH (that was 33 years ago)- I was living in the SF bay area at the time but drove on down for the event. I fell in love with his humor style wit and his music. Later on I married and my husband (guitar player in the band...go figure!)and he (Steve) had the luck and fortune to have his band open for Kenny...I came flying in after work and they said "you just missed him at our table"...damn! So we listen to Kennys set and then I need to use the restroom and come back to hear "you just missed him..he was at our table"...they said he had just left...so I kicked off my heels and ran barefoot thru the venue and into the parking lot to chase him down and yelled HEYYYYYY STOP...WAIT A MINUTE...he looked a bit frightened and then I skidded to a stop (totally wrecked my panty hose!) and told him how I just missed him and how much I loved his music and I just wanted to shake his hand...he cracked up and said well okay then! Then he drove off....flash forward 10 years...I am now living in Portland, Oregon and he is playing at this great little club called the Aladdin...I wander in early to the bar/restaurant and THERE HE IS ....and I lose every bit of shyness and just POINT at him and say "its YOU...I need to have word with YOU!!!"...he did that eyebrow arch thing and said well....okay...and I walked over and said I wanted to buy him a bev and then told him the history of me missing meeting him on the occasions noted above...he cracked up and we sat for quite some time and just yakked and watched the 49ers play a game on TV...he is hystercial...then he had to do a sound check and left..I wandered into the venue and they were playing David Lindley music and I was singing along looking for a seat and I hear "HEY HEY PSSSSSSSSST...KEEP IT DODWN...NO SINGING"...and I turned to say "Mind your own biz" and it was your pop laughing...SO...I sat with him and we yakked a bunch more..we both could crack each other up...bottom line...I have seen him MANY times...I have to take off my shoesies to count the times and he was always WONDERFUL and the times I got to yak with him (several as well) he was a sweet caring man...at the Aladdin he would just wander about and be there for anyone who wanted to chat..I knew him pre and post drinking days and we spoke of that and how well he was doing...and bottom line...pre or post...it NEVER ever changed his magic as a music man nor did it change his amazing heart and humor...
I would say we lost a star the day he passed away but I am thinking that star is still shining bright with the gifts he gave us...I wake up in the morning with his songs in my head and what a great comfort that is...as it always was. Bottom line I wish you all well and gone is not neccesarily gone...he is still around and making everyones day with his music...I am just greatful to have had time with him to yuk it up like we did. Lucky me to be sure. The man is magic.
Kathy K.
