Vendor Writing: Norma B.

Please Don't Stop the Music

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

My customers and those just driving by my corner all know that I LOVE music! In fact, many of the people who stop and talk to me aren’t necessarily looking to buy a paper, they just want to know what I’m listening to or singing.

Recently, someone even brought me a Bluetooth speaker. Now EVERYONE can hear “what’s playing on the jukebox ” as they call it.

Just how well known is it? The other day, a guy walking by on the sidewalk noticed there was no music playing. I told him I’d accidentally left my speaker in my wheelchair and someone had taken it.

After having a few choice words to say, he reached into his backpack and gave me a brand new pair of wireless earbuds!

Ironically, later that same day, my speaker was returned, although it was dead.

Maybe there really is honor among thieves. Or maybe a guilty conscience got the better of whoever took it. Who knows?

For many, I’ll be forever associated with country music because of the multiple articles I’ve written on the subject, but honestly, country music is only a small part of the story.

I actually listen to ALL KINDS OF MUSIC as you will see here, and to me, the people’s reaction to it is interesting as the songs themselves.

In one instance, a young couple pulled up alongside me as I was listening to Alicia Keys and Usher singing “ If I Ain’t Got You .” The lady nodded in approval and began to sing along. I just gave her a thumbs up, smiled and nodded. I was singing too! When the song ended, “ The Battle Of New Orleans ” by Johnny Horton began to play, and the couple just looked at me like what happened?

I told them the singer/song title and added, “ Did you know this song is referring to Andrew Jackson? ” (I think our resident historian Ridley Wills II is rubbing off on me.)

They had no idea!

On another occasion, a young Black man who had enough gold chains to rival Mr. T in the '80s, with the teeth to match, along with a very nice red sports car pulled into the parking lot and we listened to “ Just The Way You Are ” by Bruno Mars together. It was AWESOME — that is until the next song came on. It was “ Hillbilly Bone ” by Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins. I told him he should at least give it a chance, and much to my surprise he did.

When the song was over, I said you have to admit you liked it a little bit, didn’t you?

He said, “ No I can’t quite go that far, but it was entertaining watching you do your thing though.” After giving me a big ol’ hug, away he went! He still stops by now and then, not to buy a paper — just to see what’s playing on my radio. Hey, I’ll take whatever I can get. Who knows, maybe I’ll eventually win him over and he’ll actually buy a paper. You NEVER know.

Not long ago as “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg ” by The Temptations played, a passenger in a truck said, “ You got that right .” obviously referring to me. I immediately stopped the music and asked, “Really? How often do beggars give you something for your money? ” The driver spoke up and said, “ She’s got a point, bro.” I thanked him and continued saying this issue was actually useful, showing the wrapping paper, and he bought both editions. He even gave me a tip!

Occasionally those passing by have even introduced me to some new music/ artists I hadn’t heard before. One such example is Keyshia Cole. From what I've heard so far, she’s not to shabby.

Sometimes the music others are listening to beats what I’ve got on, so I’ll turn mine down and encourage them to crank theirs up.

In one such instance, I was listening to a Chicago song, when a car pulled up rockin’ out to Nirvana’s “Come As You Are ” a GREAT way to end the day!

After I’d been missing for several days, a man pulled up alongside me and played “Ain’t No Sunshine When She’s Gone.” It’s nice to be missed!

Recently as “ Eight Days A Week ” by The Beatles played a customer said, “Ms. Norma, I hope you know we love you ALL eight of them.” I smiled and said, “ I appreciate that,” then added, “ but you know there’s only seven days in a week, right? ” He then said, “Are you REALLY gonna argue with The Beatles? ” My answer? No sir!

Another time I was listening to “ I Just Called To Say I LOVE YOU ” by Stevie Wonder as a truck passed by. The guys in the truck yelled, “ We love you too, even if you do hold up traffic! ” Sadly, not everyone feels that way, as was demonstrated later that day.

I also enjoy making an impression on young minds. One guy stopped and asked what I was listening to. It turns out he’d NEVER heard of Credence Clearwater Revival. What? Well, rest assured he has now.

The only thing was the guy in the truck behind him kept blowing his horn. When I finally got to him, he said he thought the other guy might’ve said or done something inappropriate because he’d NEVER seen that look on my face before. I explained nothing was wrong, I just couldn’t believe someone hadn’t heard of CCR, but I acknowledged he was young.

The man then asked, “ Did you educate the young lad? ” I said, “ I did my best! ” He gave me a tip!

Another young man stopped to see what was playing on my “ jukebox ” and offered to put it on the booming speakers in his car. I hesitated, but finally said, “ It’s Nat King Cole.” His reply? “ I ain’t got none of that .” But a few weeks later he came back and told me hey, check this out! What was he playing on the radio in his car? You guessed it, Nat King Cole. He said, “ It’s pretty cool! ” I agree.

I originally started listening to music to pass the time between customers, as for the singing that seemed like a natural progression.

Singing for others took a little longer to develop. That all started when a young lady stopped and asked me if I knew “ Traveling Soldier ” by The Chicks. When I said yes, she asked me to sing it, so I did, and I’ve been doing it ever since if/when I can. If it goes badly, (and believe me, sometimes it does) I offer them a do over — sometimes they come back sometimes they don’t.

An older white lady stopped one day and asked me to sing “ I Will Always Love You .” As I started doing my best Dolly imitation, she interrupted and said, “ No, no dear, not Dolly. Whitney.” I was surprised and quick to point out you know I’m a poor white chick, right?

She giggled and said, “ I know, but you’ve got soul! ” I liked her answer so I did what she asked. When I finished she said, “ Now if you wanna do Dolly could you please do ‘Coat Of Many Colors’? It’s my favorite! ”

I said, “ before I do anything else, I need a hydration break.” She went into the store and bought me a beer! I thanked her but said, “ That’s NOT exactly what I had in mind,” explaining, “ I just need some water.” She went back in the store and exchanged the beer for water and I did the song she requested (which happens to be one of my favorites as well) and she left.

When my music isn’t working or I haven’t gotten it up and running yet people are quick to share what they’re listening to — they’ll even sing along from time to time which is TOTALLY AWESOME!

One time a sign holder was working at my spot. When I arrived he immediately packed up and left without me even saying a word! People noticed, and one guy played “ Taking Care Of Business ” by Bachman-Turner Overdrive, while another played “Another One Bites The Dust ” by Queen. I told him to be nice. He just smiled and drove off.

I’ve had folks belt out tunes by The Eagles and Air Supply. (I think in reference to stories I’ve written in the past.) Pink, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alabama, Rascal Flatts, AC/DC, Adele, Green Day you name it.

The requests I receive are equally diverse, Patsy Cline, Etta James, (These two have actually gotten me breakfast from Waffle House more than a few times, as they are still on the jukebox there.) Marvin Gaye and Tammy Terrell, Martina McBride, Shakira, Allison Krause, Ke$ha, Ricky Skaggs, Blue October, you get the idea — and it’s not just the adults!

Children have been known to get in on the act too!

One time I went to my granddaughter’s school and a young man approached me and said, “ I see you singing on the side of the road ALL THE TIME! ”

I invited him to join me the next time he saw me, but he politely declined. Then it finally happened — he came through as “ABC ” by the Jackson 5 came on, and he sang along!

One day as I was sitting in my chair taking a break having a drink and a snack listening to Garth Brooks “Ain’t Goin’ Down Til The Sun Comes Up” and the kid in the car next to me just couldn’t sit still — in spite of his mom telling him to — he was REALLY getting into the music. Seeing he was getting in trouble, I turned the music down, but he wasn’t having it. He looked at me and shook his head no, so I turned it back up. He was ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE! (Although I’m not sure his mom would’ve agreed in that moment.)

There have also been a few children's songs along the way too like “ I Just Can’t Wait To Be King ” from the Lion King, “ How Far I’ll Go” from Moana, “ Skinamarinky dinky dink ” (yes, it’s a real song), and “ If You’re Happy and You Know It .” And let me tell you, the kids get just as excited as the adults do hearing songs just for them!

However one of the best musical memories I‘ve have in recent weeks is that of a woman passing by as I was singing “More Than A Name On A Wall ” by The Statler Bros. She immediately pulled into the parking lot and asked if I could start it over.

I said yes, and immediately started it over and sang it for her, though it wasn’t my best performance. A short time later she returned (around Veterans Day) and this time she brought an older lady with her and asked me to do it again, so I did. When I finished, the older lady took my hands in hers and gave them a little squeeze and softly said thank you.

The driver then asked if I had time for one more song, saying I didn’t have to sing this one, I could just listen. I said ok, and she played “ Your Song ” by Elton John.

There is a line in the song that says, “ I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words how wonderful life is while you’re in the world.”

As it played she emphatically said, “ THIS IS YOU! ” It was one of the few times I found myself at a loss for words, quite literally speechless — I just smiled and nodded because ladies and gentlemen SOMETIMES THERE JUST ARE NO WORDS! It was truly a drop the mic moment for me, for sure!

In many of the instances here, no money was exchanged, no goods or services were offered, but the connections were VERY REAL!

After reminiscing about all these wonderful things happening, the only thing left to say is, “ LET THE MUSIC PLAY ON! ”