PLAIN FOLK

by Billy Jones
Those good old days

Ah yes! Back in those good old days when our kids wore clothes that fit. The guys dressed for a night out wearing suits and ties or sports coats and you could recognize your best gal by the tasty clothes she wore. Theatres and clubs were open six nights a week and there was live entertainment in almost every bar and dinner club.

There was a dress code just about everywhere we went and, if you weren’t wearing a tie, you could rent one at the door for five bucks. The entertainers looked sharp and expensive and you would also be greeted by a respectfully dressed management and staff.

Dance bands also had a dress code. When a leader asked for black tie, band members were required to dress in a black suit, black tie and black shoes.
I remember an incident when a sax player arrived wearing brown shoes and was dismissed even though his shoes would not have been seen by the audience.

Ah yes! Rules applied to everyone during those good old days.
Course language was another thing frowned upon in those days. The movies, radio and TV were monitored and regulated as well as the night spots I frequented.

One evening, my wife brought my mother to a small lounge where I was entertaining. My mom would blush at the sound of a foul word or suggestion. I decided to stretch the limit and sing a little song she knew just to see if I could get her to blush so I quickly briefed the band.
I took the microphone to where she sat. I knelt down and began:

“A boy and a girl, were courting I declare. Down in the garden and they didn’t know I was there. The boy he was bashful and the girl she was shy. He asked her if she would and this was her reply.

‘You can do it if you want to but you’d better do it right! You’d better not do it like you did the other night. Cause if you do, I won’t be true and I’ll never let you…kiss me again.’” I got my blush and a big hug to boot.The future of music and theatre as we knew it was about to change.

It appeared that, in order to gain popularity at the polls, the leaders of our country decided to lower the age of consent. This was a night I’ll never forget. It shocked the people who attended the night spots where they felt safe while enjoying an evening with their spouses.
We were invaded by teenagers who were suddenly thrust into the world of adulthood. They brought with them, an attitude and vulgarity that no one was prepared for and the once proud clubs and lounges were consumed.

I suppose I can’t re-live those good old days but they are in my book of memories.

Beej from Notebook