I had the coolest gig ever at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 2, 2003.
I sat in with Les Paul and his trio. This gig was a double whammy
surprise gift for my parents.

When my parents got married and went on their honeymoon in 1953 they
saw Les Paul and Mary Ford performing in a nightclub.

In October 2001 I performed at a Guitars For Life benefit concert for
the Red Cross 9/11 fund. Les Paul and his band was the headling act.
After the sound check I was speaking with Les and I mentioned to him
about my parents having seen him and Mary in 1953. He got a kick out
of it and asked me where it was that they saw him. I told him that my
father didn't remember the name of the venue but that it was in South
Boston in June of 1953. Without hesitation Les snapped his finger and
said "That was The Town Casino! You know that place burned down don't
you?" I said "No, I didn't even know it existed until now..." He
asked if my parents were still with us and I said yes. He said "Tell
them I said Hi from another old fart!"

On June 7, 2003 my parents celebrated their 50th anniversary. As part
of their celebration my brother Terry and I took my parents to the
Iridium Jazz Club. Part one of the surprise was that they didn't know
where they were going or why. Part two of the surprise was that they
also didn't know that I going to be playing on the show.

The show was great fun and they had a great time. It was a once in a
lifetime opportunity to give my parents a totally unique and special
gift.