I hear Larry Keel’s voice and see his eyes darting towards the left. He is excited to present a special guest… I am dancing to the very far left and as I look to the right behind Jenny Keel I am the first to see him. I let out an uncontrolled shout of “YES”! My friends look at me. I screech, “IT’S KELLER!”…

The All Star Super Jam continues after EQT Arts Alive in Morgantown, WV at 123 with Keller Williams orchestrating the ensemble.  His facial expressions and hand gestures are enough to make you wanna laugh, sing, cry and dance all at the same time.  When you are in the room with Keller he makes you feel like the only person in that room. I remember when I saw him at the Chameleon Club in Lancaster, PA he embodies that same vibe of intimacy and specialness.

After the intense Super Jam, I head to our table to sit down. I sip on my beer and unexpectedly catch Keller in the corner of my eye. We make eye contact and I yell, “Cheers!” He smiles and walks over. He cheers me back and says, “C’mon now! You cheersed me, now you gotta drink!” I return his smile and bump my glass against his. I take a swig and bring up his set at Mountain Jam. I tell him I love the songs he played and that his little tribute to Levon Helm with Cripple Creek was amazing.  He hugs me and tells me thank you.  I joke with him about how he is looking skinny.  He cracks up, gets real close and whispers, “Wanna hear my secret? It’s a new diet… it’s called WEAR A BLACK SHIRT!” I giggle uncontrollably. One for the fact that I keep thinking to myself, “is this really happening”? And two, he is so genuine and so funny.  He is more than happy to grab a picture together and I gush how he is one of my favorite acts to see. I compliment his music and tell him that he always brings the funk so where Keller goes, I go! He pats me on the back and gives me another hug.  At this point my eyes are as wide as a truck and somebody just floored the pedal so I leave him with one last parting statement, “We are gonna party at Camp Barefoot!” He shows his pearly whites once more and bounces into the crowd.

Flabberghasted and barely breathing over this chance encounter I sit on a stool and think “WOW” for the rest of the night…