President Obama in Japan 11-14-2009

[Rambling Steve Gardner]

It was with great pleasure that I accepted an invitation and attended the speech of President Obama at the Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan 11-14-2009.

The President was warmly welcomed by a crowd which had gathered and waited in the rain for several hours before the security screening and finally a dry seat in the Suntory Hall where President Obama spoke.

The President's speech was both frank and encouraging. The only thing that would have made the whole event any better would have been to have had a chance to play a few tunes....maybe next time around.

[Adrian Beard]

I can see it now... Bill Clinton on the sax, Steve Gardner on guitar and harmonica and Barack Obama on washboard.

[Ken Fridley]

Steve, you're the man!!

[Kermit Carvell]

Oh, hey, Steve!
Hobnobbing with the greats! No doubt next time you'll be playing a few tunes for him or with him. And I'll be singing the first three words or every song I know as an encore!

[Charlie "Still Ugly" Cole]

Presidential Photographer Caught Pick-Pocketing Obama...

Presidential photographer, and full time blues player, Steve Gardner was
photographed pick-pocketing the President he was supposed to be photographing.
Upon his arrest, Gardner was overheard muttering, "maybe next time you book
me for a gig, you'll pay up you cheap Chicago wanna be!!"