Oktoberfest and a Fatigued Gig
Oktoberfest is that time of year to dig out stiff leather pants and some uncomfortable shoes, and head down to a large tent where they sell overpriced beer at overcrowded tables. It is something everyone should experience.
Unfortunately, most of the people I know in Erfurt avoid the Oktoberfest grounds like the plague for the very same reasons I listed above. However, I was able to latch onto two groups celebrating this year. The baker is always a regular attendee, and the young man / former classmate made the trip as well. Much was imbibed.
It was also at this time when I was contacted by a friend of a friend. I had met him one time at a grill party at a townie bar. I had been invited to partake but was asked to bring my ukulele and provide some entertainment. I did so gladly. This guy was in attendance and had some thoughts on how to put me to use.
He introduced himself and explained that he is part of the German army. He is in a division that is responsible for organizing banqueted events for officers and such. He claimed that he has a reputation for making his events special in some way; he proposed having live music at the next event would be great. He asked my permission to proposed my attendance at the next shindig. Sounded like an adventure.
He called a week later to inform me that he got the affirmative and that we needed to plan out transportation. He co-ran this outfit and would be assigning one of the officers to be my chauffeur. I would be picked up and dropped off; everything will be taken care of. So, at the agreed upon time, I was picked up by a nice lady in fatigues. I definitely felt underdressed. She informed me that their group is ‘on duty’ and will be in military uniform; the revelers will be in civilian clothing.
We drove southwest of Erfurt to a fenced-in military training grounds. Non-military personell are not allowed in… so, we waved at the gate guard as they smuggled an American past. We drove past the barracks down single lane roads and finally turned down one dirt road that then led to a cabin. We were deep in the training grounds.
We arrived in time for the commanding officers speech, thanking a couple officers for their service as they had decided not to renew their contracts and were returning to civilian life. Food was served, beer was sold; I was asked to begin.
The guy organizing this event had asked me to prepare a specific song, and he wanted me to begin the evening with it. I had prepared the song, but still it was quite new. I messed up the intro twice! But then I got the melody back in my head and sang “Ballad of the Green Berets”. The audience clapped regardless.
He then further introduced me, oddly implying that I did not speak German, which then later resulted in conversations with me being in broken English. I did not feel the need to correct them.
Still worse is that he ended the introductions with, “and now he’ll be taking requests.” NO!!! I have generally a set list in my head where I introduce myself and where I have lived through songs. I can tell a story and then play a semi-related song. This threw off my whole process. People were asking for odd German hits and traditionals, as well as “Bohemian Rhapsody” and instrumentals. SMH.
After getting my groove back, I put on an okay show; not my best, but enough for the revelers. My host would stop my every now and then to give me a beer break, which was nice. I would then pick back up and play the remaining songs in my repertoire.
I do not have the songs memorized and the light from the large campfire was not helpful, so we had an officer sit next to me and hold a flashlight aimed at my lap so that I could push through the lyrics and songs. Awkward, but good to know for future gigs: find a travel music stand with light!
The evening ended around midnight, and my chauffeur then escorted me back to Erfurt. We exited the training grounds with no issues, hopped on the autobahn, and almost into the city of Erfurt… then the passenger rear tire lost air pressure. Slowly at first, but then quickly enough that we had to pull over. We got out to assess the issue. She then looked for a spare tire, which there was none. So, being the military, there was a manual to consult and commanding officers to notify.
Overhearing her discussions, she continually reiterated that “the asset” is still with her. And the officer responded that that was good since she was not alone. And here I thought she was the military officer. Shouldn’t she be protecting the asset? She then called the towing company and we waited.
She needed a cigarette and tore the car apart trying to find one. I decided not to stand outside and try to make conversation; she also did not seem to be in the mood. The tow arrived and transported the car and us literally 200 feet down the road. They worked through the paperwork for a rental as I flipped through an auto parts magazine.
She was able to drop off “the asset” at 2 AM and then had to make the drive back to her car and then her home. I crashed (i.e., when to bed).
Normally when people suggested setting me up for a gig, it rarely turns out. But this time, singing for the German army, I was really glad that it happened. I had some good conversations about how the US and Germany treat their military, and I had a great time performing for very enthusiastic people.
