Friday, February 26, 2010

One more reason musicians kick *ss

I am not really a 'BBQ joint' type of girl. But when JohnnyMac suggested we go to an authentic BBQ joint north of Atlanta, called The Swallow at The Hollow , I was quick to affirm. SATH's mantra is "How can you not have fun" and because they serve endless mounds of  homemade BBQ goodness, JohnnyMac and MiniMac need no persuasion. And because SATH showcases singers/songwriters from Nashville to play live music, I need no further persuasion either.

I have high praise for musicians of all musical genres. Everyone who wants to sing, play guitar, play piano, play violin professionally, simply can't. For people with the gift, I am envious. And for those who get to celebrate such a gift by making a career out of their talent, applause to all of them.

And musician kick ass because of not only their knowledge base of music and music history, but because of the innate quality of knowing the blend of ease and complexity involved in taking an idea scratched out on a notepad and turning it into something that floats to the ear of someone else, and becomes a part of their personal soundtrack. And for many, including me, certain songs are bookmarks into moments of my life I never want to forget.

Musicians also kick ass because they look cool. And if they don't look cool outside of the music arena, put a guitar in their hands and shazam. Believe me, if Slash from G'nR can make it look good, that requires a certain talent too.

As some of you know, our son has shown a proclivity towards music since he was one. I hypothesize this interest stems from both genetics and because I placed headphones on my tummy every day while I was pregnant and played music ranging from Tom Petty to Gary Allan to Bach.

At the restaurant, we get the table closest to the stage. Performing that night were two great musicians Donny Hammonds and Audrey Davis. We sit and I hand our son two straws that he immediately begins using as drumsticks. While he is drumming, he asks for "cymbals" so I move ketchup bottles in his range. He drums in perfect rhythm to the songs. At a song break, Donny Hammond invites MiniMac to come on stage and play the tambourine. Over the next two hours, our son is invited on stage, takes a seat, and swaps his tambourine for the microphone in order to sing Mustang Sally.  Our son also asks if Donny knows Johnny Cash and will sing Ring of Fire.

And here is one more reason musicians kick ass:
Because musicians will do this during the middle of a performance. Our son reacted as if The Edge (his idol) invited him to tour. His fascination so earnest, he even played with his tongue hanging out.

Artists of many genres are willing to encourage and promote creativity and talent in others. If they see a spark, even if that spark stems from a tiny boy only three years old, many artists would encourage it to glow. And that spark may ultimately be a life long path for our son.
Throughout our son's life, he will meet a cast of mentors and pilots who will guide him. Donny and Audrey are great examples of this. And I do think he will be a musician one day. Why?  Because of this:
 

 

Have a great weekend. 


PS: Something else kick ass: My friend PJ is celebrating her blog bday with a multi-giveaway. Amazon gift card, anyone? Go visit.

92 comments:

  1. Absolutely fantastic, MiniMac is completely adorable!!

    Great post too, wonderful that the musicians let him join in with them, sounds like a great venue.

    Happy Friday!

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  2. I used to be in a band. We played five gigs then split up because of musical differences. The bassist didn't want to keep covering 'Build Me Up Buttercup' and I did.
    *Read about my dating disasters at plentymorefishoutofwater*

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  3. That's classic footage there--worthy of his 21st birthday party celebrations for sure. A natural performer! Your son is very cute!

    Shelly at Tropical Mum

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  4. I LOVE MiniMac!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a great weekend!

    P.S. Ok, that BBQ place may change my mind on visiting Atlanta.

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  5. Oh JennyMac! I think this is my favorite post ever! Nurture this talent - water it, talk to it, make it grow! Music is something that will stay with MiniMac for his entire life. Cait is in the student teaching phase of her degree right now, working with middle and high school bands. While the majority of the kids are good, basic musicians, and a few are really there for the social aspects, she says that when you find that one kid who holds the sax like he was born with it, and has a tone that brings tears to your eyes - it's magic! Kudos to these musicians, what an incredible experience for MiniMac. Kathy

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  6. great vid...he does guitar hero better than me...smiles.

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  7. My son LOVED Alan Jackson and ?Brooks and Dunn as a toddler. He memorized nearly every song they wrote. Today he plays guitar, he can also play saxaphone and he sings.. I w2ill take credit for teh singing part, everything else is just a God given thing

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  8. If you tend it, it WILL bloom!!!!!


    Thanks for the shout out, Jenny Mac!

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  9. Seriously...that is one of the cutest things I have ever seen. And I agree, musicians kick ass.

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  10. I love live music, too, especially in areas where you the small size of the venue allows more intimacy with musicians.

    Super cute video! I hope that little guy makes it big!

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  11. This was too cute for words. What a mini SUPERSTAR!!

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  12. I am thinking MiniMac will be an international superstar in a few years--fun video.

    He should really pursue his musical interests since even if it does not work out as a career, having groupies as a weekend guitar God is a fantastic experience (ok, so I did not experience this first person, but ran and lived with a crowd of musicians in undergrad).

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  13. OMG! Super adorable video of your son. I think being able to play live music is a real gift!

    Do me a favor please--all of my readers lost my feed this weekend when I switched to Word Press. Can you visit my site at www.lifeasaceo.com and re-subscribe to my feed or re-follow me through google? THANKS :)

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  14. He's really got his licks down. You do realize that musicians have major sex appeal. Are you ready...cause it's coming! He is a sweetie and bound to be a popular fellow.

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  15. That boy has more talent now than I ever had for music! Go MiniMac!

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  16. Could the kid be any cuter???? Have a great weekend!

    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  17. I LOVE this video of your son, adorable!

    I admit I'm a sucker for a man behind the piano! He can be the nerdiest, geekiest boy on the planet, but the minute he sits on that bench and plays a few bars on those ivories, I'm HIS!!! Example: Billy Joel singing "She's Got a Way." Fugetabowdit!!!

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  18. Indeed, how could you not have fun?!?!? (I like implementing my blog title into as many things as possible.)

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  19. I know you will give him all the encouragement he needs. When do the lessons start?

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  20. Aww. Little MiniMac is so cute. He's going to need to fight off the ladies at an early age!

    Snafugirl xoxo
    http://snafuliving.blogspot.com

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  21. If he doesn't already have them, get that kid a piano and a guitar.

    Way cute.

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  22. Musicians do kick ass. I am so lucky to be married to a very talented musician. He rocks my world. Literally.

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  23. Mini Mac has a career ahead of him...I love this. I can't wait to attend his first concert. I just hope they have handicap seating for my walker!!!
    Such a wonderful night for your family at the BBQ joint!

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  24. Texas also has a plethora of awesome musicians and before I moved from there, my favorite way to spend an evening was with good food, good company and live music. That there is just a little slice of Heaven on Earth. Live music is something to be appreciated and supported as much as possible!

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  25. All that and you get to sample Georgia BBQ too!!!!

    What a day in your life!

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  26. YEAH MINIMAC!!! WOOOOO! LET'S HEAR SOME SKYNYRD!!!!!!

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  27. I have always wished I had musical talent. But I don't. Sigh . . .

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  28. MiniMac Is wonderful! I love musicians who are kind like that. Its wonderful to see them acknowledge a child with a real interest in music. My Daughter and Son In Law play music and love it. They do the Athens, GA scene but also tour on occasions. They are called Gemini Cricket!

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  29. How cool is that! What a great experience for your little guy & what a great thing that you got to see him doing it! Love the video :)

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  30. SO. RIDICULOUSLY. CUTE.

    Seriously, i feel like i'm just gonna DIE from cuteness overload. :)

    Have a good weekend, JM!

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  31. Here I am, jealous of tiny little MiniMac, because he already has more musical ability than I do, with a 40+ years head start.

    The musicians were awesome to work with him that way. I bet MiniMac remembers that forever.

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  32. My husband dressed up as The Edge for Halloween. Now, whenever our three-year-old puts on a beanie, he calls it his "Edge hat". He is the very definition of coolness, at least in this house.

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  33. It is so wonderful to find patient, talented adults to grow that spark within your child.

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  34. Now see, this is endlessly cute and as a gigantic bonus (for you) you get to embarrass the living hell out of him by wheeling that performance out when a) he brings home his first girlfriend he's trying to impress, and b) when he's a stadium rocker clad in leather and studs and swathed in all that is cool. Awesome! :)

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  35. I could so take that kid on Guitar Hero (medium difficulty)...just sayin'...

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  36. Dude. HELLS YES. My Ben looooves music. Always has. Alex tells me to shut my whore mouth when I sing, WHICH YEAH.

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  37. Pardon the french, but effing cool! Music can do wonders for this world. We just have to open our hearts and let it flow in and out. The video of John Mayer letting an 11 year old join him on stage in Philly and then signing and giving him the guitar (of John's) that he borrowed to play made my week....along with this post. Great stuff!

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  38. Fantastic! Go MiniMac! Mac it up! I think it's awesome that you're exposing your son to all types of music and musicians at such a young age! I'm sure he will be musical as he grows up, and he'll treasure music (and the memories of music with you) forever.

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  39. He is one rockin' cool kid! We love SATH but have never taken the kids there. I seriously doubt their quiet ability.
    Next time Jack and MiniMac get together they can rock out to Jack's personal favorites Zeppelin and Buffet. ;)

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  40. I AM a BBQ joint type of girl-- and actually went to the restaurant you mentioned ONCE when we lived in Georgia. We didn't get to eat there-- it was too crowded, and was like a 90 minute wait for a table... so we didn't stay!

    ~Elizabeth
    Confessions From A Working Mom

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  41. He is adorable! I prolly need him to marry Sissy

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  42. Gotta admit that I'm that kind of guy. The BBQ joint kind. I love me some country music. I checked out the Swallow at the Hollow site. They had Lance Miller there. One of my all-time favorite songs, The Beach, is his doing.

    So much for the terrible two's. He's a natural. He even has the hand gestures down with that guitar. When he's rich and famous, I can say I knew him way back when.

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  43. I think your son and my daughter would put on one great show!!

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  44. The next Harry Connick Jr.? And just think, you'll be able to say, I knew this day would come...when you are at the awards shows.

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  45. Yea Mini Mac. Comfortable on the stage, happy in front of a camera. Yup, you got something pretty spectacular going on there! Oh, and I want to move to Atlanta just for the bbq and music...and Mini Mac's first performance.

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  46. Ok...I'm not sure where to begin...First of all, I think it will be impossible to wipe this HUGE smile off my face for the rest of the weekend. Second, I love that he's strumming along and taking his hand up and down the fret {like with a real guitar}. Third, I LOVED the "boo boo be doo" skatting that he threw in! And, finally...at the very end, when he shouted "I WANNA SEE IT!"

    Just. Too. Cute!

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  47. You are absolutely right! I would love Minimac to death! How sweet and cute is he!?
    Obviously a rising young star! ;-)

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  48. Some people are just born with it. Sadly, I don't think I was. And if I was, I certainly never nurtured it.

    I have a feeling this video might be watched by adoring fans in 15 years or so when he makes it BIG :)

    Happy weekend!

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  49. Oh, he is just so adorable....I see MiniMac taking it all on American Idol in the future!

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  50. That kid is going to be such a lady magnet.

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  51. Too darn cute, and he has excellent taste if the Edge is his idol...U2 rocks, and so does MiniMac!

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  52. The Edge as an idol.. can't do much better than that. Does he know Clapton?

    Have a great weekend

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  53. Yep, he seems like a natural musician. Great story about at the barbeque place!

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  54. I'm sitting here with the hubs and my SIL listening to Earth, Wind and Fire... not bbq joint fare but still fun on a Friday night (especially after a few bottles of wine). I think one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is the love of music. (And all kinds of music.) Mini Mac is a doll... you should feature him more often.

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  55. Minimac looks so beautiful!Anyway, i am a song writer and an aspiring musician an d i plan to make a career out of it too.
    Nice post.

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  56. Minimac looks so beautiful!Anyway, i am a song writer and an aspiring musician an d i plan to make a career out of it too.
    Nice post.

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  57. I love musicians! I married me one! ; )

    Love the line about songs being bookmarks into moments of life you never want to forget....great line!!!

    And um... is your son singing Death Cab?! SOOOO Cute..and he has great taste in music!

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  58. Music and food speak every language too.

    Secretia

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  59. I love Swallow in the Hollow. I used to go there when I lived in Atlanta. Your little boy is so precious! Another fun bbq/music spot is Fat Matt's. They have lives Blues music to accompany their ribs. Great food and great music!

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  60. Too cute! You can't start having a dream too young! Happy SITS Sharefest!

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  61. Well I know you know what I think of musicians! They are the best, my guy is a musician. That video...OMG too cute! Future rock star!

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  62. Minimac is a total doll. It seems you have a musician on your hands for sure. He reminds me of my daughters. My oldest, 13 yrsold, now excels with the piano and the guitar and will likely take on the violin soon. My second, 3 yrsold, just got her first guitar for Christmas. I love that you're encouraging your little guy with his music. So often, so unfortunately, parents take the ketchup bottles away, when all they really want to do is just make music. So to you, I say, well done, Mama. When he stands at that podium, his Grammy in hand, his "This is all for you, Mom," will be truly heartfelt. And you will be glad you pushed the ketchup bottles in his direction.

    BTW, now a follower ;)

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  63. oooh, that's a cute lil man. For Realz! Encouragement of his music is the best thing ever.

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  64. Adorable. I think he has what it takes to be a great musiciain.

    Good to know I am not the only one that wore headphones on their tummy during pregnancy.

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  65. oi love thissong. and idk if i have ever heard a better cover!! :-)

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  66. Ummmmmmm, best post ever. Way to go lil' Mac!

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  67. Girl, you'd better get him a manager and agent! He's good for 3 years old and not bugged by the camera at all.

    Does he take music lessons?

    Good for you all for taking him to a place where he can dream big of being on stage too.

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  68. i live in LA now, but I AM FROM ROSWELL! I love SATH! And now I feel instant camaraderie with you because you're from Atlanta. And because you're an attorney. And a mom. And a sister. And a friend. Okay, I am NOT a fabulous dancer, so that's where our similarities stop. :) Fun post! A little taste of home for me, so thanks!

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  69. That's a little too damn adorable. Good to see creativity being encouraged in the young, pat on the back to you.

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  70. Hey there Jenny Mac..thanks for your sweet comments and for stopping by my little blog. Your right, musicians do rock...my family is full of them. My two boys discovered music and guitars at a young age and we encouraged it. We figured if they were in their bedrooms practicing guitar and listening to music, they were not out on the street...worked like a charm. They both have a deep passion for all kinds of music that they have shared all their lives and I like to think it helped make them the best friends that they are. I hope to see you again ;-)
    your friend,
    Janet

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  71. PS...your little guitar player made me smile ;-)

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  72. Loving it! My son plays the guitar. I need to get a picture of him jamming.

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  73. I. LOVE. THIS!!! I was grinning from ear to ear when I read this, and had to share with hubby - a musician. When I got to the part that 'musicians kick ass' he laughed and agreed. And he thought it was super cool that your son got to participate on stage. Very cool. We both agreed, however, that the boy need a 'real' guitar, because it seemed like he really wanted to strum actual strings when he was playing! The Wii guitar just doesn't cut it...(grin!!!)

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  74. Oh that would have been so great to see, you must have been proud of MM. Those musicians were so generous, really love that.
    xxx

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  75. Ha! Heart-warming.

    I agree with you about musicians, obviously

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  76. That is way beyond cute! He got to go up on stage? I bet that was so thrilling to him.

    Place has good bbq? I need to remember it next time I am that way!

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  77. You better start looking for an AGENT,

    what could be better then BBQ and musicians. sounds like my kind of night
    ah-----did you drink Vodka (tee,hee)

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  78. I agree with you 2000% about musicians! I am lucky enough to be living with and committed to an amazing one! They really do have something that not everyone has.

    I also think it is amazing that you are really supportive of MiniMac's creativity and love of music. He is so cute! I think he will be a great musician one day.

    Such a little sweetheart!

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  79. Holy BBQ sauce, but he is cute!

    "...floats to the ear of someone else, and becomes a part of their personal soundtrack. And for many, including me, certain songs are bookmarks into moments of my life I never want to forget."

    Dear God, thank you for music. Amen.

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  80. I am a big fan of Death Cab, & a big fan of toddlers, so I thought that YouTube video was pretty much the most adorable thing ever.

    Cheers to making sure tots grow up w/ good taste in music!

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  81. MiniMac is so adorable! What a great experience for him! I can't wait to see what the future brings for him...

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  82. Oh my god, that is precious! What a great experience for MiniMac!!! I can't wait to see what the future brings for him...

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  83. FABULOUS! Not only is he a good musician but also a good MAN for taking the time to encourage Minimac!

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  84. Cutest video ever!! I believe he will be a musician one day, he already is! I noticed kitty relaxing and enjoying the music from afar, is that a Ragdoll cat by chance?

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  85. Sounds like that BBQ joint kicks ass too, and if it is allowable to say so about a 2yo, so does Minimac.
    If the food stands up to muster, it could easily outrank Fox Brothers BBQ on my own musician's list.

    Does Minimac have a real instrument? Ukulele's are just about the right size for the littles. Galaxy Music, which unfortunately doesn't exist anymore (?) had decent ones for <$50. I'm sure some where else in Atlanta sells them.

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