Hey Friends! 

This month’s release is a song I’ve wanted to write for a little over a year and a half now. Its based on a couple of real encounters I had on back-to-back nights. 

The first night was on St. Patick’s Day. I was playing at a tiny but well-known-to-locals bar in downtown Chattanooga. The parade was just finishing up and 2 older couples in their green hats and beads walked in together for a round. Before they left, one of the men approached me and asked if I could play “Sweet Caroline” - it was for his wife, he said, it was their 53 wedding anniversary, and her name was Caroline. 

He went over to help her up as I started playing. The patrons becoming aware of the situation, helped push some tables and chairs back (we were crammed in there). They slow danced. Both had tears in their eyes. “50 years”, I thought, “a lifetime passed between them during that chorus.” 

The next night was at a Tequila bar/restaurant that actually happened to be right around the corner. Two young parents came in with their three year old daughter. “Do you know Sweet Caroline?” they asked, “our daughters name is Caroline.” This time when the tables were pushed back, a circle formed. Patrons ran to join from other tables, waitresses and waiters, complete strangers, all held hands with little Caroline. They let her lead the circle. Swung her around on an endless wheel. 

And it felt like I was seeing the same Caroline on different nights of her life. Like skipping a stone across time. Crowd after crowd, hands touching hands, reaching out, touching you, touching me… (:   -John