My neighbor Ken asked me to help try and raise some money for the Salvation Army at a local supermarket. I brought the boys. They were very gracious, even with those little infernal bells we kept ringing.
I didn’t think they minded me using them as bait to raise as much money as possible — five bucks a pet, ten bucks a handshake and twenty a lick in the face.
Later, an elderly lady asked if Ken was my brother. What with our dark shades and each of us holding one pretty blue merle Aussie a piece, I suddenly realized what conclusion her deductive reasoning brought her to after I answered, “Noooo. . . we’re just friends.” She smiled and then with a look of empathy, said, “Oh, no need to be shy about these things anymore.” “Just friends”, I repeated in the echoey vestibule, as she turned and grabbed a cart and rolled it away.
Salvation Army Fundraising
15 Comments on “Salvation Army Fundraising”
Great going for a great cause. Thx Gino.
Wow. How gracious of you to do this! Hey, is there any chance of you coming to Columbus, Ohio? Saw you in Cleveland at the Hard Rock and it was amazing.
Two good men, doing great work for a worthy cause. Gino; you’re beautiful inside and out. I always enjoy your stories. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
Snowed-In today due to Lake effect snow in NE Ohio; but rocking the house with GV.
Well done guys!
Hahahaha!! Gino, why is it that you always have one crazy anecdote after the other? From being Barry Manilow on a flight to singing Oh Canada in the bathroom stall, one could believe you are making this up! Mais tu n’as pas autant d’histoires que ton oncle Vic avec ton pĂšre par contre đ Cheers from Mtl -Marc
Gino, thanks so much for ringing the bell for The Salvation Army. I’m the Regional Resource Development Director for The Salvation Army in South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. I watch your LA Concert on You Tube while I’m working and listen to you in the car when I travel. I’m so sorry that I missed you at One World Theater in Austin last year. I sure hope you return to the area again. I’ve loved your music since I was a teenager in the 1970’s!
From one music teacher to another….I have longed to hear more of your awesome music for many years. BUT, what has impressed me as of late is that you are passing your talents and knowledge of music on to kids as a music teacher. They will not know nor understand for many years just how very talented you are as a legendary musician. Music is a gift and someday, hopefully, those lucky kids will come to know you as a true musician from the heart and be grateful that you passed on your knowledge and talents on to them. Don’t stop making music……for, as the legendary Charlie Parker once said, “If you don’t live it, it won’t come out of your horn.” Truly, your voice is still as good as it has always been and it would be a shame not to continue to share your gift! Thank you for sharing your music with all of us! We appreciate it!
Hey Gino!
So great to see you including your Aussies in your journeys! They so love spending constant time with you. I take mine with me everywhere so much if I donât have him with me people all ask about him. Please follow him on Instagram @adventures_with_rafa
I babysat my sisters dog an took him out to a sunset..EVERYONE TALKED ME…patricia ..clearwater fl.
I admire Salvation Army and I love your voice ! Your website is incredible !!! Wonderful photos ! Hugs from Brazil, Gino !
Greetings Gino! Are you coming to Atlanta Ga soon? I was at your concerts at the famous Fox Theater in 1976….just wonderful! Your music is the greatest!
Gino,admirable,eres un genio en lo que haces,leo tu biografĂa y escucho tus canciones a diario para calmar el alma, tu genio y talento son sin duda un regalo al arte,tu eres la mejor obra digna de admirar , mis ojos felices de contemplarte y mis oĂdos una puerta abierta a la excelencia de tus obras musicales,gracias porcompartir de tu sabidurĂa creativa .. Y love forever
Hi,Gino,
Good to know that you are still aspiring and blessing us with you beautiful voice and talent. Just a facet of my memory bought me back to Pittsburgh my home town. My girlfriend dated a fellow who played horn in your band and we were on our way down to see you in Pittsburgh…stopped for a minute at their place on the way but they went in a room and took so long I became worried I was not going to see you. (Don’t forget he the boyfriend played horn)????.
But we got there. And What a Blast…..Beautiful….I just love it when you sing I just Wanna Stop…..Curly Hair and All. As time has gone on I have not forgotten about how nice of voice you have and how well you can maneuver a song/lyrics. Take Care / Keep and Stay Health…jo harris
What an worthy cause. The Salvation Army is always there for anyone in need.
But I have to say, $20 for a lick on the face? I’d charge a lot more for that. đ
One of the brightest moments of my nights playing in a road band back in the 70s was when “I Just Wanna Stop” got called as the next song. It still reigns as one of my all time favorite songs I’ve ever learned to play. Doing the back up vocals was also exciting, as we had enough voices to be able to get the full effect the harmonies in the chorus. Forever a fan, Gino, I hope I get to see you the next time you’re in Florida. And, thank you for some of the BEST music the 70s had to offer. My “80s Were the Best” show I’m producing for WKDW radio here in North Port, I plan to include either that great tune, or “Living Inside Myself”. Both songs were 10 years before their time.