Even if you didn't grow up in the 70s, I'm sure you recognize that classic intro to

big old jet air liner.

That song is written by a guy named Paul Pena, who was blind, blues musician, living in

San Francisco.

It was covered by Steve Miller band, of course.

But I think that was Paul's only big hit.

But I didn't know any of this at the time in the 70s.

In fact, I didn't know any of the story I'm about to tell you until the mid 90s when

I was living in San Francisco and making very little money and looking for something

to do.

And in the Bay, I think it was called the Bay Guardian.

There was a feature every week of fun, interesting things that were happening that were free.

And I always used to check that out and look for something.

One day I was at work one afternoon and I looked and I saw that that evening there was

going to be a performance at the Asian Art Museum of a blues musician playing together

with a Mongolian throat singer.

And I never heard of Mongolian throat singing, but I thought that was an interesting combination.

I've always liked the sort of melding of different musical genres and stuff.

And so I called up my girlfriend and said, hey, let's go out tonight.

There's this thing happening at the museum.

Went to the museum and these two dudes came out on stage and there were probably 50 people

sitting on folding chairs in a bare room in this museum.

...