That’s the tune I’m singing, folks. I’m so disappointed. We went to the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival, but came home early. The music was stellar, but I don’t “do” uncivilized crowds very well.

Oh, at first it was fine. We arrived at about 5:45, and staked out a small area about 15 yards from the stage. We spread a sleeping bag, and put down our two chairs (low to the ground, so that people can see over us, because we are polite like that). We enjoyed Metzler’s Barbecue and a beer

then some fabulous strawberry crepes, while we listened to the NTSU 1 o’clock lab band.

The 1 o’clock lab band is magnificent. It always comprises the best of the music students at North Texas State University. Did you know that such diverse musicians as Don Henley, Meatloaf, Stan Kenton, and Pat Boone went to North Texas State University? Yep. We are talking a high quality, “class act.” And, we were having a good time listening to their jazz music.

I wandered around a little looking at crafts in the sea of booths. Good thing I didn’t take my wallet!

Then, the Buster Brown Band played a set.

I was pretty impressed. They rocked! They played some of their own music, but also some wonderful tunes like Curtis Mayfield’s “Superfly.” I was having a good time!

Hey, for a free concert, this was about as good as it gets.

Unfortunately, that was as good as it got.

I’d been excited about seeing the Neville Brothers, but when they came on stage is when people started getting totally rude. They pushed their way to the front and stood in front of people who had been sitting for hours waiting to see the band.

Of course, people on the front row couldn’t see, so they had to stand. The people behind them couldn’t see, so they had to stand. In order to see Aaron Neville (sigh), I had to be on my feet! I was not amused.

Do you see all those bobble heads in front of me??! OMG, do you see Aaron Neville (squeal!)?

I got even less amused, when stupid drunken people decided to step across our sleeping bag (spilling beer all over it) instead of walking behind us. We scooted as far forward as we could to leave an aisle behind, but newcomers filled the space. I thought I was gonna have to smack one smart aleck little toot who almost wouldn’t let me move my purse out of the way before he pushed in front of us.

Maybe I’m just getting old, but it seems to me that the festival’s organizers could arrange that better. Maybe they could delineate a space in front, where people sit, and make the “standing room only” crowd be at the back. Is that so unreasonable?

We got disgusted enough to move outside of the festival ground to listen for awhile, but then we just came on home.

Strangest thing, on my back porch, I can hear the music very well, and I can see the stage as well, too. Which means I can’t see it at all.

Delbert McClinton plays on Saturday night. I may have to take an umbrella to prod people who offend me.

I make a pretty good curmudgeon.

But, I distinctly heard that smart aleck little boy call me something else. It started with a “b” and rhymed with “itch.” I do so hope he comes around again when I have my umbrella.