Let's hear it for the old folks

Greg loves the guitar. He loves to listen to it, play it and watch other people play it. He'll even get down on some Guitar Hero. That's why I scored major points when I got him tickets to see Kenny Wayne Shepherd for his birthday. KWS is a bluesy rocker-type guitarist who taught himself to play by listening to his father's Muddy Waters records. He was only 7 years old. By the time he was 17 he recorded his debut album, which spent 20 weeks at the top of the blues charts (He is now 30). Guitar World named him the third best guitar player...after B.B. King and Eric Clapton. You get the picture. The guy is badass.So last Friday, we headed down to Tunica to see him play at the Grand Casino and MAN, was that an awesome show. I always liked Kenny Wayne Shepherd, but I now have a whole new appreciation for him. Those are always the best shows, you know? The ones that you're just indifferent about going to, but get blown away by the performance.

Ok, so KWS is obviously not an old guy, and this post is about old folks kicking ass and taking names. Friends, I'd like to introduce you to Pinetop Perkins:

Pinetop Perkins is a 94 year-old blues legend and the special guest of The KWS Band last Friday night. He has played with Muddy Waters and numerous other blues legends and continues to do live shows every week. Let me just tell you...old Pinetop can really get down. His assistant helped him onto the stage and to his keyboard, but from that point on, he was in control. He played the keyboard...he sang...he danced...he was spunky! Gotta love that.

Another senior citizen that's been in the news lately is Buster Martin. I'm sure you've heard of him. He's the drinking, smoking 101 year-old who ran the 2008 London Marathon. It took him about 10 hours. He was going for the world's record to be the oldest man to finish a marathon, but the Guinness people said he lied about his age. He was actually only 94. Only 94? Oh, well that's not impressive anymore, is it? Ha. But for the sake of the record, he didn't succeed...A 98 year-old still has that title.

The most amazing thing about this guy is his lifestyle. He still works, he smokes and drinks regularly, has 17 children and plays in a rock band. And he finished the London Marathon. What a rockstar. Maybe that's their secret...Pinetop and Buster are both musicians and live like they are 30. They don't even seem to notice the fact that they're nearing 100. Party on, Buster.

I think I'll start a band...who wants to join me?