JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum Thomas Edison Home

I was asked to play at the
Thomas Edison home next week. My Florida based songs go well with the historians. Feeling a little edgy about it, but I might do OK. Sorry Tampa Stan. I know you liked Tesla.

Hey Ben,

I had to seriously chuckle! When I read the title of your thread, my first thought was about Tampa Stan and Tesla:-) Stan & I once worked for four months trying to pull a script together about Tesla. Our "working" title was: Edison was an idiot:-)

Good luck on the gig!!!! I feel safe in saying that afterward, you may "feel" a Big Guy Hug coming from somewhere:-)

Midnite

Stan was sure adamant about his opinion of Edison. The gig is actually a memorial for one of the board of directors who passed last week. His son asked me to play a few historical songs. Haven't learned the details yet. I'll see a lot of old friends there.

I've played a few "memorial" gigs. Two or three specific songs. It was always an honor to be a part of them!

My thoughts, from experience, regarding the gig? You'll spend endless hours this week figuring out what songs to play, making sure you have them down, and then you'll be "fretting", pun intended, until after you do your best! You'll be fine....Trust me on this.

Midnite

P.S...On behalf of JPF, and Brian, thank you, Trammel Willis, for, for...Well, you know what for:-)

It went pretty well overall. I was a nervous wreck playing for the city elites and politicians. The Mayor was there
I was under the impression that the organizers wanted me to play some vocal songs and I really wasn't ready. You know how it is when you write a song and can't remember the lyrics. When they told me all they wanted was background music while the crowd mingled, it took a load off of my mind.

My brother accompanied me on slide guitar and we played to a crowd of about 200 who weren't listening anyway. That was fine with me because we hit a few clinkers.

The fun part was getting to walk around the Edison/Ford museum without a guide. The old cars, Ford engines, and prototypes of phonographs and records. All encased of course. The items that these guys kept in their pockets. They didn't let us go into the lab. Bummer.
Got a $50 gift certificate to Outback Steak House for my efforts though. They really didn't have to do that. I did it for my friend LD.

Sound's like it worked out well, Ben! A job well done for a friend, and a dinner to boot:-)

Midnite

Hey Ben (and Midnite):

Interesting thread. I saw it a few days ago but did not have time to respond. I had no idea that Edison had a home (or summer place) in Tampa. Since Tesla has been mentioned... my "take" is that we owe both men a great deal.

Thanks for handling that gig... and I'm glad you had company for backup. Performing would never be something I would agree to do. I would look a great deal like a melting jellyfish... LOL!

I hope your Turkey Days were great and in case I don't get to say "hi" before the big event, Merry Christmas and a happy 2018.

All my best, -----Dave

Thanks Dave, it's in Ft. Myers. Edison had it built in 1885 as a winter home. Henry Ford later bought the estate next door. They both vacationed here and hung out together. Ford sold his home after Edison died in 1931. Both homes belong to the city and is now a tourist attraction and museum.

Thanks, Ben:

Just what I had suspected. Ford and Edison were pretty good friends, I'm told. (Birds of a feather!) I'll bet these two "winter homes" are a great tourist attraction and money maker for the city. Hopefully, it helps keep your taxes down a bit.

Regards, ----Dave

Right Dave. The Edison home was willed to the city by Mrs. Edison. The Ford home was sold to the Bigger family by Henry Ford in the 40's. The Bigger's lived there until the 80's when Mrs. Bigger became too old to take care of herself. They sold it to the city.

There was already an Edison museum, so they combined the Ford home with the Edison home and made it one. If you love old engines, you need to see the Ford side. They made some powerful motors. On the Edison part, the intricate detail of his machines are amazing. All hand made by his lab assistants.

Mrs. Bigger had a couple of granddaughters who lived with her. When I was a kid about 12, my friends and I used to ride our bicycles to her house to see the girls. They had a Model T in the garage. Mrs. Bigger always let us in. If I tried that now I would be arrested.