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Song in my head:

Fourteen dollars in the bank....
Fifteen hundred in unpaid bills.

Paul Delay and the No Delay Band

Rest in Peace Paul

Whether I was watching Paul perform at the Peacock Tavern in Corvallis, Oregon, the River City Saloon in Hood River or at an outdoor venue like Portland's Waterfront Blues Festival, I had to get on my feet and dance. Sure, it hurt like a mofo when you have degenerative disks but hey a girl has to have some fun. It was watching his chubby frame (hey Feministe I called him chubby!!) playing the harmonica that always entertained me on every song. I always thought he was not going to live a long life being so overweight, but man he could play the harmonica for a few sets like it was no one's business and it was a guaranteed fun time. Paul died this morning...the details were not reported on the evening news except that he was diagnosed with Leukemia a few days ago. (update 6:38 pm..KATU News out of Portland says Paul Delay died of leukemia just days after being diagnosed...just out of the blue)

One evening I went out to the River City Saloon in Hood River to hear his band. After one set Paul was signing cds. I had no extra money to buy a cd but I had my favorite Levis jacket on..ya know the one thats faded, well worn, and just the right costume for a blues venue. I asked Paul to sign the back of my denim jacket and he wrote, "Annie, You are the Coolest...Paul Delay". As of today, this coat is never getting washed and is one of my prized possessions. (I do not own a digital camera or I would take a picture and post it)