July 16, 2021
I played a live show on Facebook today. Usually Friday shows are a “No Plan Friday.” Today I had a plan. It was the pump organ. This seems like the right time to tell the story about how I acquired my pump organ.
For a long time, I worked for an auctioneer. We had an auction every Tuesday, no matter what. When people died, we would clean out their houses and sell all of their junk. It was a good job. I learned a lot.
One particular auction we had a beautiful pump organ for sale. “Who will give me a dollar, one dollar.” Silence. “One dollar for this beautiful piece of furniture.” Silence. “Anybody, anybody, anybody, a dollar.” I was on one end of the organ, holding it above the crowd. I couldn’t believe it, this organ was beautiful. “Who will give me a dollar.” I will. I will give you one dollar for this pump organ. “Sold.”
Fortunately I drive a truck. When the auction was over, the guys helped me load the beast into the back of my pickup. Of course I had no straps, rope, or even a belt to tie the thing down. The pump organ sat tall in the back of the truck, waving at everyone as we passed. We were good until we reached the last turn before my house. By that point, I had forgotten that I had a giant pump organ in the bed of my truck. I took the turn a little fast for the situation. She went up on one corner and then knocked real loud to remind me to take it easy up the hill.
When I got home, I was very excited to show Mrs. Brother Jack my new treasure. I bought a pump organ for one dollar!!!! As I pulled into the driveway, I remembered that it was actually my wife’s birthday. Of course she will be excited that I bought a pump organ for $1. Who wouldn’t be stoked about that deal? The bonus was that I could claim it was an extra birthday present for her. It doesn’t matter that she can’t play the organ. Who wouldn’t want a pump organ? Turns out she wasn’t as excited as I expected. She politely pointed out that we had no room for a pump organ and it couldn’t come into our house, even if it was a good deal. I suggested we get rid of her china cupboard and make room for my new baby. She told me where she thought I could shove that pump organ. After some delicate negotiations, I was allowed to keep it. The organ and I would both be living in the studio for the foreseeable future.
Mrs. Brother Jack has celebrated several birthdays since then and I’ve done better in the gift department than that $1 instrument. I’m allowed back in the house now and the pump organ is still hanging out in the studio. She has been worth every penny of the one dollar that she cost me.
The temperamental old gal exploded the first time she was played and we had to nurse her back into playing shape. That is a story for another time. She is fun to play but it’s a serious workout. I’m thinking about making a record with the pump organ but I still have to figure out the best way to capture her beauty with a microphone.