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Karaoke: "Typo's Sawhead": It was all for you!"
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The door opened and “Typomaniac” had seen the most beautiful blue eyes she’d ever seen, in her 16 year old life. She just saw Keith for the first time ever. In this process, she had to look way up. He being six foot five. She was only 4’11. He smiled and she promptly ‘fell head over heels in love with him”. Keith went on, that day to do some impromptu singing and guitar playing.
They had met, due to some genuine neighborhood generosity that Keith had extended to her sister. The dating began in a few years, but initially, within group activities. Those early years saw reciprocating smiles being tossed at one another. And it never, ever stopped.
Long before that, the budding singer of excellence, was one of 5 kids, who grew up listening to Mama & Daddy sing to them; always a house full of singing voices!
As an 18 year old, Keith wanted to be A U.S. Navy Seabee. (Construction battalion) But his aptitude and I.Q. test scores were so high, the navy sought to divert him into the nuclear research program. They weren’t going to waste his valued brain power. It was ‘the nuclear program or nothing”. Keith chose ‘nothing”. No Seabees, no navy.
By his early twenties, he was offered a recording contract, with a music company. Executives had seen him sing, guitar in hand, in the back of a friend’s music store. They desired to sign him to a contract, “on the spot”. Keith declined. He didn’t think he was good enough to be a Pro. They kept trying for six months!
Keith eventually took guitar lessons from new friend and new townsman, Nelson Carson. Carson had strong music industry experience, having been on significant record labels. He also had played, one time, at Carnegie Hall.
Typo says: “ Keith loved to sing and also hear others sing. That was his most favorite thing, I think. It could be anytime, anyplace”. He was a humble person and never thought of himself; didn’t think of himself as extraordinary. But Typo says, flat out: “ He was one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever known”. When asked “why”?. she writes: “His generosity, integrity, humor, intelligence and depth of knowledge, which was wide ranging.
He had the ability to make anyone feel welcome and at ease. He brought out their best, by encouraging and complementing them. It was a speaking voice you listened to, and a singing voice that captivated you. There are rampant testimonials by internet singers, who received a steady diet of his exacting instructions and his "country as cornbread" style of wisdom. Is it my imagination? This Sawhead fellow, seems to be "more than a little bit" like actor Sam Elliott!
His employment was at a sawmill, handling wood that evolved into beautiful floors; a valued employee, whose feedback was seen as mandatory. Keith idolized his Daddy, who first, was a Sawyer. He was crushed when Daddy died in 1979. Keith also enjoyed tinkering with anything he was inexperienced at , seeking to “know how it all works”. That’s how he dismantled the family computer, as soon as he got it. Scary, moments here, but he got it all reassembled.
People living in the vicinity, always knew he was a first rate mechanic. He could make parts; anything to help you. Phone calls in the middle of the night? No problem. Electrical, plumbing, welding, engines, stranded cars, loose cows (?) Friends or total strangers. It never mattered. He's there.
Why did he do it? Why was it his duty? Why his responsibility? How does someone feel that the reason they entered this Earth, is to assist all others?
Then finally the phone call to Typomaniac, Sawhead’s wife. For the next two hours, one is delightfully transported away from all pressures, problems and obligations. Typo, you soon discover, is this very respectful, soft spoken, southern lady of grace. History shows that she’s a short, blue eyed Irish redhead. Yes, all three children have blue eyes. Sweet!
A decade ago, she was coronated: “Typomaniac”, because, in one fell swoop, she accidentally deleted a whole database full of employee records and miscellaneous documents. An unpardonable sin.
Typo’s been referred to as an “Elly Mae Clampett”. It’s the cutest thing, too, when she consciously changes her voice, to avoid the “deep south”, Bobbie Gentry type of accent. The result sounds much like a Reba McIntyre. This she doesn’t mind.
Typomaniac has two sons, one a 16 year old, and the second one helpfully assisting. Her one daughter is serving in Iraq, currently. The two cats & dogs are comforting. This animal lover has deer, foxes and coyotes, just outside her home, a mile away from anyone else. Sawhead put that big foot down, when she had decided to bring a pig home! It’s not difficult to see that Typo is quite duty bound and very conscientious. Ask for a sheet of paper and she’ll give you a loose leaf full.
Shhh! Someone’s crashing friend Clyde’s singing/dancing barbecue. Seems they’d heard Sawhead singing, from the road. They climbed the fence and joined in. They're your friends, right? No, I was sure you brought them! Turns out, they were strangers who were retired studio music professionals; husband and wife. They’d been on record labels like Decca, Capitol, and many others. Great time had by all.
Yeah,sometimes Ole Sawhead would take Typo on journeys that ended up in Oklahoma, Kansas, and even Mexico one time! She just didn't know where they'd end up. Both were God fearing people. Their faith meant much! It's non denominational. Sawhead always said: "Do unto others......
He was "Sawhead" all the way when he discovered internet karaoke singing. He made countless online friendships, from everywhere, even Sweden. Some of his best friends were Kat Tussy, , "Janie & Kirk", "Sunshine". He’s as beloved, as they come, in this vast, bewildering, never ending universe of online singers. He had a collection of over 500 of his versions; mostly country. He always cherished his guitar pick, gotten from Merle Haggard's band, during a live performance.
Late thursday night, actually 4:30 in the morning, was when I had gotten the latest e-mail from Typo. Friday, in our second extended phone call, I discovered that she'd been "up late", having some tears, while listening to Keith's songs, This call really went on to expose the keen intelligence and experience of the lady. Shes a great listener and a very fine conversationalist. Soon she'll be a nurse again. Surprisingly, years back, she took martial arts, and became a "decided black belt". Sawhead became a "red belt". If anyone in life pushes her too much, she can be assertive and stand her ground.
When asked to sum up their marriage, Typomaniac says: "As close to perfect as can be. We said we were like newlyweds thru all the years!". "Sawhead" Keith died of a heart attack, during emergency conditions, March 8, 2009.
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b9f128e1 "As The Deer" typomaniac & audreyteran77
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bfbea2b8 "This time I Hurt Her More Than Me" "Sawhead"
This is so wonderfully sung. I couldn't imagine why Conway Twitty wouldn't be totally proud, if not envious!. This was sung approximately TWO HOURS before "Sawhead Keith" was rushed to emergency. His last song.
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bbaacc98 "Killin Time" "Sawhead"
This was very, very good. Really quite spooky, as you hear him on his last day on Earth, with THESE lyrics!
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bcc75ac2 "The Gambler" "Sawhead" Terrific version!
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/bd1206fe8 "I Can't Stop Loving You" "Sawhead" Wonderful version!
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/b6cd0d0c "Long black Train" "Sawhead" Outstanding in that deep voice.
http://www.singsnap.com/snap/r/c5118c020 "Forever's As Far As I'll Go" "Sawhead"
Quite a beautiful sing. Don't know how you avoid a tear listening to this one!
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