BIG CITY BLUESBIG CITY BLUES
(August/September 2003)
Kings of the Road: Cathy Lemons and Johnny Ace
BY Robert Jr.
Photo: " Ace Schlepp" by Cathy Lemons
What was your first ride?
Cathy Lemons: My first ride, and not to take the word with its other in a swing! My father used to push me in a big swing hanging from a tree in front of our house in St. Paul Minnesota. I used to love that Road: Cathy for a little kid of three—that’s a ride!
Johnny Ace: I remember a train ride in Brooklyn, new York—in the subway—with my grandpa.
What is your favorite ride?
Cathy Lemons: Ok. My favorite ride was airplanes—I used to love to ride on airplanes when I was a kid—and I flew all over the world—thanks to my mother’s many husbands.
Johnny Ace: My favorite ride was when I was a real little kid at Coney Island in Rockaway –I don’t know what you’d call it—it was a big round thing that held 60 or 70 people—you stood up in it--it would spin around real fast—you couldn’t move your legs—and we would spit at people.
What is your dream ride?
Cathy: My dream ride is a small little convertible—a red one—the kind you used to see in the 70’s.
Ace: I’d like a private jet to get around in or a black 1930’ Hudson—chauffeured by a little person (midget), wearing full chauffeur attire—hat included.
What was the longest ride you've ever taken?
Cathy: I’d say the longest ride was the plane ride from Entebbe Uganda to London, England. That’s a long airplane ride—and I even remember shamelessly flirting with 3 British young men—at the age of 8!
Ace: My longest ride was from Brooklyn to San Francisco—in a car—cross-country.
Your first sexual encounter was in a ____________? Or, have your ever had _________________in a car?
Cathy: My first sexual encounter was in a–BED!! Ha ha! And YES. I accidentally left a pair of cowboy boots in the car—and they surfaced in the hands of the guy’s girlfriend--2 years later.
Ace: YES!
Favorite highway or byway?
Cathy: My favorite highway is Highway 101 as you just cut around the curb and your on top of a hill—and you can suddenly see the San Francisco skyline—then I feel suddenly safe again—radical sanity! Yes!
Ace: A toss up between the Golden Gate Bridge, the Brooklyn Bridge and the 59th Street Bridge in New York City.
Any advice for blues travelers?
Cathy: My advice for blues travelers would be to get out and walk as soon as you arrive at the hotel (otherwise you’ll get really chubby)—get a feel for the place where you’ll be playing—the people. Go to the record stores—see what’s on the shelves. Also, always be aware of your surroundings—pay attention—it may save your life.
Ace: Don’t drink and drive!!!!!!