Jack Johnson Does

By Jay Honan

I volunteer for the Indian Riverkeeper.

Last week I received an email saying Jack Johnson was posting our video on his w= eb site.

He offered to donate a dollar every time someone watches it.=

I thought, how cool.

When I got home that evening I mentioned it to my daughter. She was surprisingly excited.

She said “Daddy, Jack Johnson is my favorite.”

I said “I did not know that but now me too!”

“I didn’t think many famous musicians did stuff like that.̶= 1;

My daughter informs me “Jack Johnson does.”

The next day I found out he donated 10 f= ree tickets to our program.

When I got home that evening I told my Daughter. She was, not surprisingly, extremely excited.

I promise “Daddy will take you, and ev= en better, Mr. Johnson donated a free booth so we could tell people = ; at the concert about the Riverkeeper.” =

I explained that I thought that was extremel= y cool and I had not heard of rock stars doing that before.

Elle says “Daddy, Jack Johnson does.”

As we make our way through the parking lot&nb= sp; towards the concert we hear Jack Johnson’s music.

There are some kids at the gate playing acoustically.

Elle says “Daddy, I think that is Jack Johnson.”

I said “no Sweet pea, that’s just kids, we need to find our booth.”

We walk to the opposite end of the amphitheater and back again only to find our booth right by the gate.

As we approach, the Riverkeeper= is yelling, and pointing towards the kids playing 15 feet away.= He says “that is Jack Johnson”

I said “rock stars just don’t do that.”

Once again Elle explains, “ Jack Johnson does. “

Elle asks, “Daddy do you know Jack Johnson, can you get his autograph?R= 21;

I say “no Sweet pea, I don’t, an= d the chances of you getting his autograph are slim to none.” <= o:p>

Security complains that the musicians are “blocking the gates.” &nb= sp; They pack up and make their way behind a high fence.

My daughter takes off, bolting through the crowd towards them. I see a b= ody guard move towards her.

He grabs her and takes her behind the gate an= d I become very nervous. She then pops out from behind the fence, just beaming, and holding up a piece= of paper.

“Daddy, Daddy, Jack Johnson gave me his autograph.”

I said “Sweet pea, I’ve been to many concerts and I’ve never seen the musicians do that.”

I’m reminded “Jack Johnson does.”

We are hanging out at our booth when we hear Jack Johnson’s music coming through the speakers..

Elle says “come on Daddy”.

I said “Sweet pea, that’s just&n= bsp; a recording. The warm up bands don’t start for a half an hour and Jack Johnson is not on till 9:00.”

Elle grabs my hand all the same and drags me to= wards the stage.

Woops…. Jack Johnson is on stage playing again.

I ask “what kind of headliner wa= rms up for the warm up bands”.

I shouldn’t have asked,

“Daddy, Jack Johnson does”

It’s almost 9:00

The lawn is filled to capacity. A young girl asks if she can squeeze in next to= us.

She looks about 18. She says “my name is Becky , I flew from NY to see Jack Johnson.”

She boldly states “I want to m= arry Jack Johnson.” I explain “I think he’s already married and has kids”.

She says “I know, but I want to marry him anyway”.

Becky asks “did you know that Jack Johnson gives all the money away from all his concerts?”

I say “I know he is extremely generous. He just gave my group money but no one gives everything away. ThatR= 17;s just crazy.”

Elle pokes me, and just before she is able to spit it out, I say

“I know, I know, Jack Johnson does.”