RIP Patches. I was saddened to learn of his death on October 5. I would like to celebrate his life by telling whoever reads this blog about the first time I ever met him.
Patches was a local television personality in Philadelphia in the 50s when I was young, and when I was maybe 8 or 9 years of age, he did a show at the elementary school in Berwyn PA where I was a student. I vaguely remember this as a special event, probably held during the day, but I can't be sure of the time. What I do remember was that he was very friendly, looked just like he did on TV and was fun type of act for kids. I would love to know now how the school got him to perform for it. We were all an auditorium full of lively kids. We were enjoying ourselves. I had an empty spearmint Chiclets box. In those days, you could blow on the empty box, and it would make an interesting kazoo-like noise. I must have made enough noise for Patches to notice, because he called me up on stage with him and announced that we would play a duet together, he singing with guitar and me blowing on my Chiclet box. I had no professionalism in those days and was instantly attacked by a fit of the giggles. He started up the song, which was "On Top of Old Smoky" and at the end of each line I was to blow on the box. Things went okay for 2 or 3 lines, and then the Chiclet box stopped making its noise. The box would get damp from your breath causing the noise to go away. I stopped and blushed and whispered to Patches "I can't go on. It's damp." He turned to the audience announcing loudly something like "this world-renowned musician has to stop playing, because 'it's damp.'" I left the stage to thunderous laughter and applause. When I met Patches again many years later after I had grown up and become a club performer, I reminded him of this moment. He had the good grace to pretend to remember it, and we shared a laugh over it. Through the years that I performed at his club, he and Liz both were generous warmhearted hospitable bosses.
6 Comments
R G Shaw
10/31/2012 01:58:52 am
I remember one of your shows at Patches' 15 Below in Timonium. For long afterwards, many of us local pickers raved about your guitar playing. More than 40 years later, I still remember you singing, "Hey, babe, open up your mind. Something's bothering you, it's plain to see..."
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Emily Grosholz
3/4/2014 09:56:02 am
Dear Raun,
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11/5/2012 03:57:26 am
Hey, I remember that! Patches, etc. Chiclet box. I still keep an empty chiclet box in my desk drawer just in case I get the urge to make some music. Usually at rush hour when I hear cars and school buses flying by my house. I remember so much about you, Raun, that my husband swears I should paint and write it. I'm in the process of doing just that. Great to see you two weeks ago, and I just bought your cds. I love your voice. Well, heck. I just love everything about you. Come back to see us soon. P
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Lee Goodwin
2/27/2013 12:10:17 am
I remember Patches 15 below too; I assume it is the same Patches. I saw you play there and still have your first album (but unfortunately, no working to turntable to play it on). Sacrifice of the Goat is one of my all time favorite guitar pieces. Is there a digital version of that available for purchase anywhere?
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Gene Bomgardner
12/26/2019 05:42:00 am
It's the day after Christmas, 2019 & I just learned of his passing. I used to attend Howard Park Methodist church in Baltimore. I sang in the choir along with Liz Murray. I have very fond memories of a Christmas Eve. The congregation sang Joy To The World and Liz's voice rose and fell in a descant over top of it all. At the end of the service, she and Patches would sing Silent Night to Patches' guitar.
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Phil Jubb
10/31/2020 01:54:11 am
We went to the 15 Below many times. Saw Croce and Chapin there. Now that I’m a Texan, I often think of their rendition of “Remember the Alamo”. It would be great to have recording of some of their performances like: “J.W. Stetson Chamberpot” and “I’d Rather Have Beer”. These may not be the titles of the songs but if you have heard them they will bring a smile.
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