subject: What I Missed at the State Fair of Texas [print this page] What I Missed at the State Fair of Texas What I Missed at the State Fair of Texas
The Texas State Fair of Texas, is one of the largest and most diverse in the world. Even though it's a hassle to get there and tiring too, because of its large area, its well worth the effort, once you arrive.
I didn't go this year, but after reading an article by ERIC AASEN, Staff Writer of the Dallas Morning News, I realized I really missed something special that had been absent from the Fair for nine years:
Billy Roy Switzer and his One Man Band.
Switzer uses his head, feet, legs, mouth and hands to play TEN instruments (in years past, he has played TWELVE, but there wasn't enough space for the additional two this year.
The instruments he plays are the piano, bass drum, snare drum, bass keyboard, cymbal, tambourine, harmonica, a second cymbal, cowbell, and a wash board.
Billy Roy is playing 152 concerts this year during the Fair, and previously appeared at the State Fair of Texas for almost twenty years, until he took nine years off to care for his wife when she became ill.
His regular performance schedule is every hour from noon to five p.m., with an additional show at six p.m. on Saturday and Sunday - and he enjoys performing, as much as the audience does, listening.
I'm not sure what he gets paid, but it has to be a lot less than a ten-person band would cost!
One can't help but admire Billy Roy as a prime example of what a person can do with their imagination, ingenuity and energy! So hats off to you, Billy Roy. We hope to see you next year at the State Fair of Texas!
But his example doesn't have to apply to only musical instruments, but virtually any activity under the sun. With the same imagination, ingenuity and energy, people have created and invented astounding accomplishments throughout history.
Each of us has the same ability to achieve similar goals as Billy Roy, if we simply open our minds to things of interest to us and apply imagination, ingenuity and energy. So this is your charge to get started on your goal to excel in one of your interests that has been lying dormant far too long!
So crank up your special imagination, ingenuity and energy and contribute something really great to the world and those around you.
