I was at the gym this morning before work, and, as usual, I headed for the sauna when I was done working out. The two guys in there were dropping names of all sorts of musicians. Not just the headliners, but other people who were keyboard, trumpet or cowbell players for the headliners. One was talking about people he had played with in the past. The only thing I could add to the conversation was to tell about my encounter with Stan Sheldon, bass player on Framton Comes Alive.

As I was about to talk, the musician stepped out to cool off, and the other guy said, “See you in a minute, Stan.” So I asked the other man what Stan’s last name was. Sure enough it was THE Stan Sheldon!

When Stan came back to the sauna, the conversation went something like this:

Me: The last time we met, you said, “Cheese, mother f***er!” to me.
Stan: I said, “Geez, mother f***er?” In what context? Did I catch you with my girlfriend?
Me: Well, uh, no…
Stan: Did you catch me with your girlfriend?

I explained that it was “Cheese,” not “Geez,” and that it was while I was taking a picture of him for the Kansan while he and his trio were playing their weekly gig at the Souls’ hang out.

It flattered me when he said he clipped that picture out of the paper and still has it. Too bad that sort of activity may be a thing of the past.

These days, he’s playing bass for Delbert McClinton, who damn sure knows how to play a cowbell.