Micky and Squirt

What is a Micky and Squirt?

They are a musical couple who have been retired in Boquete for 5 years ago.

He, Micky, played in bars for 40 years across the US, mainly in the resort areas of Colorado, Nevada and eventually Nashville. He went on to write songs later in his career.

She, Squirt, is a song writer who lived in Nashville most of her career.

They both had hit songs in the country market. Hers was number 1 and his was in the Top 10 on the Country Charts. Most of their stuff is very good and funny. They also wrote a musical play that has been performed here to rave reviews.

The problem is that Micky is on psychotropic drugs for mental issues. He has a nasty reputation for being a king sized jerk when off his meds.

We were at a play a few weeks ago and Micky was off his meds. He created a scene in the lobby before the show, throwing a fit and demanding to be let into the play before the doors opened. He threw a few coats around while yelling and kicky shit.

Not a pleasant experience. His reputation proceeds him around here.

They are playing 5 songs in the hootenanny.

We were rehearsing today when Micky and Squirt showed up for the first time. I was full of trepidation. And I was intimidated by their amazing careers. After all, I am an amateur hack and he is volatile. Not a good mix in the best of times.

They are folk singing artists, from a time before mine, in the early 60's. A perfect fit for the hootenanny.

They look the part.

She has white, long hair loosely pulled into pig tails. Pigtails...can you believe it. He is WASHED out. With thin hair going out in all directions, looking like a old, old man at the end of his life.

As he was playing along with us, he was missing notes and chords. Clearly he has seen better days.

The director asked them to play their stuff.

He started playing and singing "Puff the Magic Dragon." This was a bad, limp, insipid song when it came out and it is now even more tired and worn out.

His finger picking was spotty and his voice was croaky. But...this is his music...authentic, coming from his being, who he is. And it is an innocent song about children. Micky is regressing to the point that he is child like too.

I was moved. The sincerity and authenticity coupled with the innocence and childlike quality were mesmerizing. So beautiful. So haunting. So much integrity. So personal.

If I heard this in a bar or restaurant, with all the noise from the silverware and dishes and conversation, I would have walked out, disgusted. I would have missed it.

This was a rare opportunity to be in the presence of something great. Sitting in a garage, high up in the jungle rainforest, rain coming down a few feet from where I was sitting, listening to a thin, haunting, authentic song of child-like innocence.

Wow! I will remember this for a long time.