The Civil War at the Ohio Statehouse

Today at the Ohio Statehouse, an event was held to mark the 200th birthday of Lincoln. There were a few hundred people in attendance. It was such a beautiful day, I was hoping to see more folks.

However, there were numerous families. I love to watch grandparents and parents share history with children!

While at the event, I snapped a few photos. See below.

If you will be in Columbus, the statehouse will host an event honoring when Lincoln's funeral arrived on April 29. Check out the statehouse website for additional details.

More Than Tax Day

April 14 isn't simply the day before Tax Day. It is a day filled with so much history! Here are the two that always give me pause.

Lincoln
For example, 144 years ago today, President and Mrs. Lincoln went to Ford's Theatre to watch "Our American Cousin." Little did they know, John Wilkes Booth had other plans. Tonight marks the anniversary of the day Lincoln was shot. Tomorrow, April 15, holds the distinction of the day Lincoln passed away at the Peterson House.

If you are ever in D.C., I recommend visiting both Ford's Theatre and the Peterson House, which is across the street. If you are like me, it will leave you speechless.

The Titanic
On April 14, 1912, The Titanic struck an iceberg. It is sad to think of the potential lost on this one night as the elite of the world, along with many emigrants just wanting a new start in America, perished in the cold water.


To read more about the significance of this day, check out wikipedia.

Bill

Encounters

Saturday night at Byxbee's was great. I saw a lot of folks I haven't seen in awhile - people from the old Funny Bone, etc. It is always nice to see old friends!

However, just when I least expect it, something weird always happens. I'm never sure when people are trying to pull my leg or if it is just a strange situation.

So, here is the story. I had just finished my first set, when a man walked up to me. He asked me if I knew who Johnny Paycheck was. Of course, I do. First, I love music history. I may not remember trash day, but I can remember anything strange or small about music (This actually also applies to the Civil War as well.) In addition, my parents loved country music. I can remember my mom and dad singing along to it on the radio.

Back to my story...I tell the guy some of the songs by Johnny Paycheck. This guy begins to tell me about the story that landed Johnny Paycheck in jail.

In case you aren't familiar, Johnny Paycheck is from Greenfield, Ohio. My band played there a few years ago. It is a sleepy little town in southern Ohio. (Very nice people!)

In the mid-1980s, Johnny Paycheck was back home visiting family. A bar fight broke out and in the end, Johnny Paycheck fired a gun. He grazed a guy in the head. A few years later, Johnny was convicted and sent to the Chillicothe Correctional Facility. He served two years.

Flash back to Saturday night. This guy standing at the bar tells me he is the guy Johnny Paycheck shot.

True? Who knows. But, it was very entertaining!