An Evening with Blues Legend

John Hammond -

(photos:  Chris Kleeman/

Bob Stannard)

On Sunday, January 5, 2003, Chris Kleeman and I had the privilege of opening for the legendary John Hammond at the Iron Horse in North Hampton, Mass.  John had played there 25 years ago; Chris about 15 years ago.  This was my first appearance there.  Great room; great sound!  Amazing man.

I discovered I had a "G" harmonica in my coat pocket and asked John if he would "humor me".  John Chris and I played a little before we went on.

John Hammond is one gracious and generous man.  You can feel his presence in the room.  After his show I reminded him of how Tom Waits described him on the album they did together a year or so ago.  Tom said, "John has a soul that can harden diamonds and handle snakes".  Drenched with sweat from a most passionate performance, John replied, "Tom sure has a way with words, doesn't he?"  Boy, he sure does! 

Update!  I had the rare pleasure of performing with John on stage on Sunday, October 8th, 2006.  Here is a photograph taken by my son-in-law-to-be, Danny Hairston!

(Photo below:  Patience Brooks)

(Photo below:  George Kalinsky)

Can't have more fun than meeting up with friends!  Dr. John, my son, Wes, daughter, Meredith, Herman Ernest III, Bob and Rinard.

Bob & Burt Reynolds

at the Manchester Film Festival

....unless we're jammin' with my son, Wes; nothing can top that!

       (photo: Tara Dowden )

(Photo: Steve Wunrow)

Wes is attending the

Berklee College of Music in Boston

.

Vermont's U.S. Senator, Sen. Patrick Leahy

 (photo  Hubert Schriebl)

This is my adopted son, Marlan, hangin' in the flowers of our garden.  He's a student at Boston University.

(photo:  Bob Stannard)

Wes (above; left)  and my late brother, Curt

(photo: Alison Stannard)

Bob is a practicing Martial Artistist

(photo:  Alison Stannard)