Sunday, June 21, 2020

Beg, Steal, or Borrow, June 19th, 2020. Moog's Joint, Johnson, VT


     Hello everyone. I hope you are safe in these incredibly turbulent times. I have been laid off since March. I have completed training to teach students English online and have tried to keep myself busy. But one thing I haven’t been able to do in almost 100 days is see live music. Streams and whatnot are fine but being around other people, especially outdoors, is where it’s at. So Kempepedia is proud to present Beg, Steal, or Borrow, Live at Moog’s Joint, Johnson, Vermont,  June 19th, 2020.
     One of the major changes to music in a pandemic is you just can’t roll up solo and score a ticket. You have to buy ahead of time and multiple tickets. I had some friends that had an extra spot and I was in. We are in the middle of a humid for New England but a joke compared to the swampness that is the Mid Atlantic heat wave. But Vermont is always beautiful in the summer. So much green and Moog’s is located an hour outside of Burlington so the drive up there was almost hallucinatory.
     The tables were socially distanced apart and face masks weren’t required at the table. I had mine on when I was walking around and the servers did as well. I believe in science and science says wear a mask.
     Beg, Steal, or Borrow was formed as a one off band put together to play Old and in the Way in its entirety. Things went well and they have been playing regularly ever since.  No real set list but they did most of the album along with some other tunes.
     I was back in town a little before 10. Moog’s wasn’t the only venue having tunes this night. Nectar’s was back too. I had to go to Kinko’s earlier that day and they were power washing off the front of the building. But most important, the sign was rotating.
    I got a spot near my place and walked up the hill. It was very weird with the Flynn darkened and not really that many people around. Red Square was really packed in their outdoors seating area. I got a slice at Pisano’s and shot the shit with Kevin, one of the security guys outside while Swimmer finished up Viola Lee Blues.  I felt awesome looking into the windows and seeing people on stage, playing music.
     It was so freaking amazing to be out with friends again. I realize we aren’t even at the end of the beginning of the pandemic and I am rather frightened of what the fall will bring. But I am trying really hard to live in the moment, and right now, I am doing fine





Dave Kemp
BA American Studies
Ph. D Rock and Roll

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