This man is an amazing musician

We pull into this town and there a whole lot of cars and people, but town was sparse. They had three bars, a post office, a general store, and three churches. There were a few houses spread through. There was a rather large sign explaining the name of the town, that seems fitting. Who names a town Ten Sleep?

Anyway I heard this music playing over in a parking lot and I was drawn to it. I needed to see who was there?

It was one man with some back up tapes, several musical instruments laying about and a pic or two on each finger of each hand.

There is so much more****

Do I sense a possible short story on this? It is very interesting to me. I love how people "discover" different types of music and musicians. Ten Sleep? That in itself seems to provide fodder for the story. Do you want to continue to tell it or are we lost in a town called Ten Sleep with a musician named Jalan Crossland?

The name of the town - it was named because of the petroglyphs left by the Native Americans of the area. This location was ten sleeps between the Natives home and the US Fort. I thought it was cool. Now back to Jalan.

I love the name. Jalan is another cool name. I know he plays a number of instruments from your description of several instruments laying on the ground. I wonder what he looks like? What was it that drew you to the spot, was he playing already or singing? Was there a crowd gathered?

The music was already playing and there were people listening. It wasn't the type of music that brought me there, but it was the only music around. When I saw how quickly he could move his fingers and noticed that he could changed the keys while playing and written it into his music I was awestruck and that only took two songs.
I then went to find my husband because I wanted him to watch this man's hands.

Did he sing at all? Were you able to find your husband (I mean I'm assuming you found him eventually). Did Jalan play "to the crowd" (eye contact, get the crowd involved) or was his focus completely on his own music. Could you sense the passion he played with or what exactly besides the speed and changes in key that amazed you? I hope you don't mind all the questions.

I had almost forgotten that someone was interested in Jalan. He didn't really play to "the crowd" He looked for the people who were intently looking and listening and focused on them. It really wasn't my "type" of music, but I had never see fingers fly so fast or hear such interesting and original music. There was not a thing I recognized. He was performing all his own stuff.

My husband was very reluctant to come over, but once he did he moved from the back, to the middle, to the front in a matter of four songs.

Things got even more interesting when he took a break. We walked over to grab and sandwich and then come back and he followed us. "You guys aren't from around here are you?"

My husband looked us up and down and said "We look funny or something." "No, you are just surprised by my music and folks here are used to it."

Should I go on?

Please do. The idea of being singled out by a musician after performing (even on a street venue) is exciting and being able to do that simply due to youself and your husband's reaction is interesting!

He asked if he could meet us after his last set. He and my husband sat and chatted about where his inspiration and training came from. I mostly listened. He is about half the age of my husband, but they talked music all night.

As it turns out he had been on some professional tours opening for some big stars and did not find the life to be what he was looking for. He truly prefers his trailer in Ten Sleep Wyoming.

The next morning he was out on the streets of the tiny town singing for his breakfast. Of course, we ended up having breakfast together.

I thought the relationship would probably end when we left Ten Sleep. He asked for the email, and I didn't think he would ever use it. He does and sends new songs he writes and asks opinions and such.

We purchased two cd's and now he just sends them. I will have to share the lyrics of the song he wrote that I think is most like him.

What a treat that must have been! He sounds like an extremely down to earth and interesting person to converse with. I have always been interested in people that are artistic and how they come about the creativeness that flows. I envy the apparent ease with which artists display their talents. I find it incredible that there has been a relationship maintained between Jalan and you and your husband. Like you, I would have been dubious but it must feel great to be able to keep in touch and to offer your opinions when he asks. I would like to read the lyrics that best describes him.