My Music Journal: June 21, 2025

 

Saturday, June 21, 2025

 

Time: 7:06 PM

Song: Rooster

Artist: Alice in Chains

Mode of Consumption: Closing number played by Justin Jones at Gary Lenhart/Pete Raum Garden Party.

Link to song: https://open.spotify.com/track/0wvIGFIgbyz4JNwQhZgTv2?si=9f3132a4227d4b6c

 

“So, what do you guys want for the last song?” Justin Jones asked. “Country. Pop. Rock.” 

 

Jones was a one-man show with an acoustic guitar and a microphone (clearly some auto-tune technology also in use). He had played for three hours straight under a tent in the 90-degree heat with a warm breeze blowing crossways.

 

There had been rumor he was going to take a break about 5:30, but he had plowed through that, seemingly blending the three genres mentioned together. All sorts of songs were played. 

 

Rock was the unanimous call of the crowd of about thirty for the closer. 

 

He flipped through a songbook, and then declared. “Well, this might be one you don’t expect.” 

 

His choice was “Rooster” by Alice in Chains. 

 

We had been invited by a cousin of my mother to the party, and other than him and his husband, we didn’t really know anybody. Still the food was good. There were plenty of cold drinks and shade to make the hot, humid afternoon comfortable. 

 

I watched the people, most in small groups of six or eight, as they mingled. I got to thinking about when was the last time we had been to a party that wasn’t hosted by immediate family. Nothing sprang immediately to mind.

 

Jodi and I have evolved into hermits, of sorts, over the years. We’re not unfriendly, we just don’t mind spending our evenings and weekends together at our home. 

 

I think we were both tempted to skip the party, as it came on the heels of a busy week. But much like our entertainer, we did the unexpected. We went to the party and had a nice time.