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| RIP Johnny Otis |
Johnny Otis (Mr. "Hand Jive"), surveying his Sebastopol ranch in the early 1990s. After a leisurely latte interview in his sunlit kitchen, he walked me down to the barn to show me his paintings and sculptures. Johnny was our godfather benefactor for The Russian River Writers' Guild. He called me up one afternoon after I did a front page story on him for The Paper, and he asked if I'd be willing to host a poetry reading series at his Sebastopol cafe on blue Mondays. I asked him why he called me versus myriad other Sonoma County poets and he said, "I only work with the best people, I asked around and you're the best." The only catch is you have to book someone every Monday night." We only booked two events a month. For two years, I worked my ass off rounding up poets every week. Luckily I had help: David Bromige, Steve Tills, and other Sonoma County poets pitched in. Great PA sound system. Great ambiance. Great poets. Great man. RIP Johnny.
See Dan Taylor's Press Democrat obit: Sonoma County musicians mourn Johnny Otis
(I'm quoted in it).
