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Sing, Sing Out Loud!
It was early in 1989 with winter in full force. I was a college student in Toronto, and delivering balloons was my part-time job. I had to wear a tuxedo and sing in front of crowds of people. I was young, I was carefree, and I was having some fun. On that cold January day in 1989, I had to take a balloon delivery to a construction site. One of the guys had a birthday, and I was going to make his day. Don't get me wrong, my employers did not condone nudity or crass behavior. We weren't that kind of business. I went to the entrance of the construction site, which was a major renovation job on an old theatre. I told the guy at the door I had a delivery for construction worker so-and-so, and he let me in. I was given a hard hat and lead into a large room. This was the theatre's performance area, minus all the plush seats. The birthday boy was working up on the concrete stage. Fearlessly, I marched up to the stage and presented myself. His coworkers exploded with laughter. The birthday boy was ushered off the stage, and into the orchestra with a crowd of onlookers. I was commanded to sing. Realizing that I was standing on a newly minted stage, in a yet to be opened grand theatre, I belted out one hell of a Happy Birthday. The roar of applause shook the theatre. I smiled, took my bow and handed the balloons to their rightful owner. He thanked me with a crisp five dollar bill. I returned to the balloon company office and relayed my story. No matter what anyone tells you, let it be known: I was the first professional singer to grace the stage of the new Pantages Theatre in Toronto, Canada. Andrew Duff continues to live a happy grown-up life, and will always remember his days at Balloonagram.
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I
am about to buy my first house. Real grown-up stuff. In fact, I'm on
the cusp of being a full blown grown-up: married, leased car, and now
a mortgage. As
my life flashes before my eyes, I can't help but think of simpler times.
