CINCINNATI, OHIO - JUNE 15, 2005: Gregg Family Reunion
picnic at Winton Woods Park.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2005 – Baseball! Rock ‘n Roll (live & enshrined)! Greggs! Marti & I returned last weekend from our action-packed ten-day Eurotrash Invasion of the Red States. It was a blast. We rented a Jeep Laredo, hit the big American shopping malls, went to ball games in Cincinnati & Cleveland, took a daytrip to Kentucky & participated in Marti’s Family Reunion.
Steve Bailey. Victor Wooten.
We departed Paris on the morning of Tuesday, June 14. Sitting next to us on the plane was bassman Steve Bailey, who has played with many of our favorite musicians, including his partner in Bass Extremes, the remarkable Victor Wooten. Steve, accompanied by his wife & daughter, was returning from a rare non-gig visit to Europe – an actual vacation.
The Black Crowes. Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.
When Marti & I told him that, upon landing, we were going directly to a concert by The Black Crowes & Tom Petty at Riverbend in Cincinnati, Bailey laughed & commented that we were gamers. That, or a little nuts: the show wouldn’t be starting until well after 1 a.m. Paris time.
Kate Hudson. Steve Gorman. The Traveling Wilburys.
Crowes drummer Steve Gorman had generously arranged tickets for us. After we took in his band’s smokin’ first set - which included standbys “Jealous Again,” “My Morning Song” & “She Talks To Angels,” plus a jammed-out cover of the Stones’ “Torn And Frayed” - I thanked Steve for his kindness. He disclosed that the band was putting together a Europe run for early 2006. (I hope cutie-pie Kate Hudson will be digging those shows atop onstage road cases, as she did at Riverbend. It was fun to watch her watching husband Chris singing lead.)
Marti & I began to flag during Tom Petty’s acoustic set, but we hung in there a little longer. It was a trip to hear all those great TP tunes again; we were particularly moved by Tom’s introduction to “Handle With Care.” Tom dedicated it to “all the Wilburys, wherever they may be traveling today.”
Marti’s dad & Matt compare cams. Picnic photo-op.
After a nearly-fruitless search for post-show dinner (we wound up with disgusting Wendy’s takeout), Marti & I checked into our North Cincinnati hotel at midnight. The next afternoon at the reunion picnic in Winton Woods Park we hooked up with Nan & John Gregg, Marti’s parents, who had arrived from their home in Charlottesville VA the day before. We also met several of the Family Reunion krew, various descendants of my bride’s great-grandfather: Cincinnati Judge Ellis Bailey Gregg & his wife Annie Bedinger Gregg. Really nice folks. Kudos to Linda Gregg, who organized the four-day series of events.
Jeff Ruby’s steakhouse. Marti pins a bud on her dad.
That evening Marti & I hosted an early 60th Wedding Anniversary dinner for Nan & John at Jeff Ruby’s in downtown Cincinnati. (Their actual nuptial date is August 9.) Kathy Davis, the restaurant’s sales manager, had printed customized menus, ordered a delicious cake from the chef & obtained flowers for the guests of honor.
Nan & John. Joni & Bill. Marti & me.
A few weeks earlier, we had asked Nan & John if there were any folks coming to the reunion whom they’d like included in their celebration. At their request we invited John’s cousin Bill & his wife Joni to join us at dinner. They were charming. I especially liked talking baseball with Joni.
Thar they blow! Our handsome group rivaled the krew in the Art Deco mural.
We all had a marvelous time. The cuisine, bevvies & service were wonderful. I had to chill on the wine, however, because I was designated driver for Marti & her folks. Missed that Parisian taxi life, which leaves you free to imbibe with impunity.
David Mitchell with his Total Race Babe duds.
Marti chose a checkered flag-rose tee.
On Thursday morning Marti & I drove down to Kentucky, stopping for gas near Kentucky Speedway. A dude named David Mitchell was setting up a stand to sell his cool Total Race Babe fashions. My personal Total Race Babe quickly snapped up a teeshirt & a bandana. Marti the motorhead.
America’s horseracing shrine.
Our destination was the site of a different kind of race: Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. We arrived in Louisville just in time to join the 11:30 a.m. backside tour of the track.
Bath time. Marti makes a new friend.
The tour, led by Angie, a guide from the Kentucky Derby Museum, provided an excellent behind-the-scenes look at the track infield & stable complex.
Barbecue at Wagner’s.
An added bonus to the tour was Angie’s recommendation for lunch: Wagner’s Pharmacy, a funky, old-school restaurant owned by the same folks who operate the backside diner at the track. As soon as the waitress calls you “hon,” you know you’re in the south.
That must be my horse bringing up the rear. My only winner
that afternoon was a book from the museum shop.
After lunch Marti & I hit the track for a few races. It was a thrill to be in the grandstand at this famous venue. Unfortunately, all my nags finished out of the money. I did score, however, by picking up a signed first edition of Wink, Ed Totaling’s excellent biography of America’s only great black jockey Jimmy Winkfield. This amazing character rode in the first decades of the last century, won the Kentucky Derby twice, then moved abroad to race in pre-Revolution Russia & other major world capitals. He wound up in postwar Paris during the Roaring Twenties. It’s a compelling read.
Eve, Ella & Mark. A swingin’ chick. Mark & his Mule-powered mower.
After depositing our contributions to the Kentucky economy at the racetrack, Marti & I drove a bit south of Louisville to visit Eve, Ella & Mark, folks I met via the Gov’t Mule forum E-Mule. We spent a chill evening hanging out together, dining on pizza, checking out Mark’s extensive Gov’t Mule memorabilia collection, exploring the family farm & listening to three-year-old Ella’s rehearsal for her violin recital the following day. (It was very interesting to observe the techniques her instructor employs to teach basic skills to tykes with limited attention spans.)
Eve, in full recital drag, with her axe.
Both of us were grateful for the opportunity to spend this relaxing interlude in the Kentucky countryside. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: I think it’s just terrific how a common love of music can bring far-flung people together & generate new friendships. Thanks again for the gracious hospitality, Mark & family!
