Chuck!

Great Northern played a retirement party for the head of some environmental lobbying organization. The guy is a Deadhead, and the whole party, which was in a lovely old building near Ford's Theater, had a Deadhead theme - tie-dye shirts and so on. We had heard that Chuck Schumer might show up, but I really didn't give that rumor much credence as politicians are busy people and don't always show; however, when we showed up they assured us that he was going to be there. I made sure to mention that he and I were both not just from Brooklyn, but from the same neighborhood - yeah, unlikely as it was, I was trolling for an opportunity to meet the guy.

The party was starting at 5, but we weren't scheduled to play until 7, so after setting up the band members went out and grabbed some dinner so as to be out of the way. By the time we got back the event was in full swing, and not only had Chuck Schumer arrived just ahead of us, but Nancy Pelosi and former Maryland Representative Danna Edwards were there too! I don't think Pelosi spoke (or maybe we missed her?), but right as we got back Schumer, apparently never one to say no to a microphone, stepped to the podium to give a short encomium to the guest of honor. Oh, and I must mention that the party staff - not the band! - had hung the band's banner across the podium, so there was Chuck Schumer, giving a speech at a podium with the Great Northern logo!

I was standing in the band area, which was pretty close to the podium. Shortly after Schumer finished, one of the party staffers came up to me and said, "you're the guy from Brooklyn, right?" When I said yes, he grabbed my arm, dragged me over and introduced me to Schumer. I told him that I remembered way back to when he ran his first race, for state assembly in our district. He responded, "you voted for me, right?" Then *he* grabbed me and made his way back to the podium (I think he was happy to have a chance to talk some more). He wound up speaking a few sentences about what a small world it was in that the band was from Brooklyn⁽¹⁾, and that I had voted for him for state assembly!⁽²⁾ 

Well, I certainly got much more than I possibly had hoped for. Not just a handshake, but an introduction and even a selfie with the Senator. And we got some great pix. We got paid pretty well for the gig, too - but the experience was worth much more than the money!

Sen. Schumer speaks at the Great Northern podium 😁

My new friend Chuck introduces me to the room

Selfie!

Grateful Dead themed party decorations

Notes

(1) Not exactly true - I'm from Brooklyn, but the other four band members aren't.

(2) I was twelve years old at the time Schumer ran for state assembly. My dad voted for him, and in fact recognized that Schumer was a guy who was going place.