It's A Beauty!

Me, riding shotgun on Ole 33
- Photo by Laura Baxendale

Last summer, I was struck by a story in our local paper The Suffolk Times: the sweet tale of a 1933 fire truck rescued off the junk heap, lovingly restored by four local firefighters. 

Though the ol' pumper's firefighting days had smoldered, the firemen believed that this historic truck -- one their dads rode a generation ago -- could still be a symbol of local pride, family and service.  After years of love, care and rebuilding, the truck now rides in parades, surprises kids at birthday parties and even chauffeurs wedding parties!

One of the firemen who worked on "Ole 33" said that when people see the brand new shiny engine they exclaim, "It's a beauty!"  Reading that, I knew this heartwarming story should become a song.

Ole 33 ridin' along in the Fourth of July Parade
- Photo by Randee Daddona

So here we are a year later... I'm ridin' shotgun on "Ole 33," rollin' in the local 4th of July parade singin' "It's A Beauty!" Happily, the firemen love the tune; they even added their big, joyous voices to the chorus. 

Can't wait to tell you more about the story of these wonderful firemen and Ol' Engine 33!  The "It's A Beauty" music video is coming soon... look out for it!

Fireman George teaches his crew his very own version of "It's a Beauty!"
- Video by Randee Dadonna

It’s A Beauty

From the album Press Play

Available on iTunes HERE.

Words and Music by Brady Rymer © 2016

I was built long ago back in 1933 - a little red fire truck engine that’s me

Was the pride of my small town and when I rang my bell - the kiddie’s all squeal and the people'd all yell

“It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” That’s what they’d say about me. “It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” Ol’ Engine ‘33

Now let me tell ya ‘bout my first five alarm - that church down on Front Street was blazin’ on and on

I cranked up my hoses ‘til the last flame went out - all the way back to the station you could hear the boys shout

“It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” That’s what they’d say about me. “It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” Ol’ Engine ‘33

Bigger faster trucks came and I wound up on the heap - my bell got rusty, raccoons were living in my seats

Along came a fireman he said, “Stretch is my name. Don’t worry ol’ pumper I’ll get ya back in the game”

So Stretch and his ladder boys worked long into the night - polishing my chrome and patching up my hoses tight

Pretty soon I was ready for that hometown parade - with a longing in my heart to hear the people say

“It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” That’s what they’ll say about me. “It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” Ol’ Engine ‘33

So here we are and Stretch is waving from the wheel - when I ring my bell I’m makin' all the kiddies squeal

With love and with care you’ve filled me once more with pride - no more fighting fires but I’ll take ya for a ride

“It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” Sure is a sight to see. “It’s a beauty, it’s a beauty!” Ol’ Engine ‘33

Steven Tyler, you can crash our party anytime!

Surprise!  Steven Tyler of Aerosmith Walked This Way to join us in SiriusXM's NYC studios last week, as we played live on-air on Kids Place Live's Absolutely Mindy Show. He sang sweet backup on our new song "One Day By The Riverside."  What a way to celebrate the release of our newest CD, Press Play.

Liz, Claudia, Steven and Brady at SiriusXM Studios NYC, 6/24/16

It’s always a treat going to the SiriusXM studios to play live on the radio. The atmosphere is crackling, the people are cool – it feels special, exciting, every time.  Maybe it’s the idea that you’re performing live to thousands of listeners all over the country – and you just kinda know that anything can happen.

SiriusXM designed their glass-walled studios so the performers can see out, and folks outside can take a peek in.  With so many musical styles and offerings, you just never know who might be in-studio, or who’ll be walkin’ the halls. 

My first visit to the NYC studio was with my daughter Daisy when she was 6; she helped me sing "Dilly Dally Daisy," a song she inspired. Here's a pic of her back in the day, when singing with the band was a treat for her.

Daisy singing with us at the Clearwater Festival, way back when.

Over the years it’s been a hoot to say hello to a whole cast of characters there.  Howard Stern, Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg, Food Network chef Anne Burrell... and best of all, Chubby Checker (combing his hair in the bathroom).

Last Friday, on our 8th album Press Play’s release date, Liz, Claudia and I were invited to play live on Kids Place Live’s Absolutely Mindy Show.  We were excited to introduce the new tunes, and mix it up with Mindy!

A Song Swap at SiriusXM Kids Place Live:  Mindy and I are at lower right, with a bunch of friends from the kids/family music world!

The show was going great. We sang a few new ones, we talked about stuff we did as kids: my junior high rock band, suited up in Mom-made outfits; Claudia belting out show tunes in her living room; Liz’s early career singing jingles – in French!   We made up a song on the spot for a lil' listener, Weston, a 5-year old birthday boy from Texas (“Weston’s a Texan…”)

We were having a whole lotta fun, heading into another tune when I saw struttin’ down the hall, long hair flowing, jewelry jingling, the one and only Steven Tyler, there to promote his new song We're All Somebody From Somewhere after a Today Show appearance that morning.  Sauntering by with his entourage, he saw Liz, Claudia and I in the studio playin’ and singin’ up a storm.  A minute or so later, he walked by the other way, and looked in and waved.  We all waved back, and I called to him to come join us.  (Why not, right?)

Once the studio’s amazing manager Liam Davenport saw Steven asking his entourage how to get into our studio, he made it happen –clueing him in that he was going on-air on a family-friendly show!

I let Mindy know that Steven Tyler was in the house, and she went with it... we were off and runnin’.  Steven greeted our audience, then I accompanied him on a little ditty from the family movie Epic, where he voiced the character Nim Galuu.  Fun!

We were in a lil' groove, all of us, so I went for it and asked if he’d join us for a call-and-response tune from our new album, “One Day By The Riverside.” His voice was a perfectly unexpected, amazing addition to the live performance.  We could not have enjoyed it more.  Hope you do, too:

“Wow,” he said afterwards, thanking us all.  (“Did that just happen?” responded Claudia…)  He was gracious, sweet, funny; he asked “Is The Little Band That Could really your name? The Little Engine That Could was my favorite book as a kid.” Yea, I can see that - "I think I can, I think I can..."

Thanks to Mindy and the SiriusXM crew for creating a radio concept and a show where things like this can happen.  And of course thanks to Steven Tyler - you can crash our party anytime!