I found myself attending a festival that Stan was playing at (along with Garnet and the boys). I just enjoyed the first night of music with my friends and loved ones. As we sat around the campfire and enjoyed the aftermath of the day, I picked up my guitar and started playing a few late-night tunes. As I finished my third or fourth song, a voice from the other side of the sparks and flames asked for Stan’s “45 Years From Now.” I declined, not feeling right covering the “master-story” song. To my shock a voice from right behind me said “I know that one!” I turned and, good god, it was Stan! He was standing right behind me listening for god knows how long! Without a word, I passed him my Gibson J50 (I never “pass on” my ’50) and enjoyed a private set of five or six songs by a master storyteller. Then he went on his way. So, this is not unusual. He often visited post-festival parties to meet the folk that had come to see him.
—Danny Ross
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