Pianist Proud of His Organs

“Being yourself results to freedom and peace.”

Who would have known Deb would meet a well-known renowned pianist in Quartzsite, AZ.  Paul Winer; local owner of "Reader's Oasis Bookstore", stompin' boogie-woggle and blues musician, actor in Hollywood, comedy sharing the circuit with then an up-and-coming comic named Jay Leno, and one of the first Chippendale's.  

After just a brief conversion with Paul, Deb quickly found out his first love is with his music. He played concerts and clubs for 25 years (1965-1990) as “Sweet Pie” to over one and half million people in the Northeast States and Coast to Coast in Canada, and recorded an album in 1971. Paul preformed two shows (2 p.m. & 7 p.m.) with Ralph “Mr. Tub” Martin (washtub bass) and Will Pirone (Paul’s original blues-harp player from the early 1970’s) on January 24, 2012 at the Quartzsite Improvement Association (QIA), so Deb got us tickets for the 7 p.m. show before they were sold out.  See Paul held his first sold out concert in Quartzsite this past January (2010) at the QIA. Over 900 people showed up, many of whom had to stand outside to see the show since the hall only holds 760. We must say it is a one-of-a-kind, kind of show.  

Oh, let’s go back to the bookstore for a moment….  Paul started his bookstore with 2 boxes of his mom’s paperbacks in a tent and now has a full retail bookstore. However, it’s NOT your typical bookstore!!  Why you might ask?!?   Well, he’s known for his lack of clothing, which you can click here to read the full article.  

“If books were clothing – I’d be called “Well-Dressed” ~ Paul Winer 

Deb, Paul, and Barb outside the bookstore

It was a cool day when Barb and I went to the bookstore, so Paul had a bit more clothes on.  Usually its just his "jewels in a pouch" and flip flops.

I was once afraid of people saying, “Who does he think he is?” Now I have the courage to stand and say, “This is who I am.”  Amen!