Grampa Elliot Small is OK -:)

originally posted 11/14/2005

See Elliot in the "Playing for Change" Videos

New Orleans street performer/musician Elliot Small (aka Grampa) is a memorable man. Since Katrina there have been many inquiries on the net as to wether or not he is OK. He turned up on Royal Street yesterday and we spoke of his experiences during and after the storm. Here are a few of his words:

www.spiritfa.com

On surviving Katrina: “I was in that storm. Then I swam out of that storm. I got myself to the hospital. That was my refuge.”

On his partner “Stoney B.” (aka Sunny): “I met up with him in Lubock Texas with his big mouth and that guitar. He was playing a club and he turned that place up. Then I came in and turned it back down again.”…grin

On being told by women in Houston of inquires on the net: “They showed pictures of me and said “see you’re famous”". Elliot looked down and grinned shyly, “It’s good to be loved”

Before leaving I shook his hand and said, “It’s good to see you're doing fine”. On this his face went blank for just a moment. “I’m not fine”, he said emphasizing the distiction, “but I am OK”.