On the occasion of Billy Conway’s birthday

On May 15, 1989 at the iconic Minneapolis music  club First Avenue, the young band on the stage, Treat Her Right, was just hitting their full groove when seemingly out of nowhere, a man and woman much older than anyone in the room walked onto the dance floor. They politely found space among the fans who were not quite ready to surrender themselves to the reckless abandon that would come later in the set. Don and Shirley Conway turned to face each other, forgave the hard things they’d said earlier in the day, and danced. 

Don wore a respectful suit coat that no once noticed, as it was Shirley that drew the attention, in a red and white checkered a-line cotton dress that seemed to be a third dance partner, swirling then stopping to switch direction at the same time it hugged her body. Her red hair shone in the lights, her eyes crinkled at the corners as she beamed her self-conscious, closed-mouth smile. Any hard times between these two became shadowless under the light of their love when they danced. 

The younger people on the floor moved backward, circling the dancing couple. Everyone watched with awe, including the drummer in the band, who was playing the music that brought his parents into this moment. 

I am sending huge thanks to Don and Shirley for bringing their baby boy William into the world on this day, December 18th, many years back. I wish for all of us the happiness of the dance, in what ever beautiful way it comes. 

L’chaim.

“If I Had A Dollar” written by Billy Conway/performed by Chris Smither on the album Further On/Songs of Billy Conway available here.