Years after I sold Wood & Strings, I returned for a visit. What struck me was how little had changed—the signs, the display windows, even the feel of the place were almost exactly as I remembered them.
Sometimes you carry a memory for years and wonder if it was really as special as you remember.
One evening after closing, I opened the shop for a small gathering of musicians following a show at Club Passim.
Among those who stopped by were several remarkable singer-songwriters, including Nanci Griffith, John Gorka, Patty Larkin, and Chris Smither. Earlier that evening, Nanci had introduced a new song called "Love at the Five & Dime" at Passim, and later she and John sang it again for us at Wood & Strings.
It felt like a magical evening, and I never forgot it.
Many years later, after I had moved to Arizona, I brought Patty to Sedona for a performance. Before the show, a small group of us spent the afternoon hiking among the red rocks and then went out for lunch.
As we sat around the table, Patty introduced me to a friend, Alan Williams, who was touring with her. She said, "This is Rick. He created and ran Wood & Strings Music Center in Arlington."
When Alan replied that he knew the place, Patty smiled and said, "Oh, it was a very different place when Rick owned it."
Then she proceeded to tell him the story of that evening at Wood & Strings—the very one I had carried in my memory all those years.
I sat there listening, amazed by how vividly she remembered it.
Nanci is no longer with us, but "Love at the Five & Dime" lives on, as do the memories attached to it.
Sometimes life gives you the rare gift of discovering that a moment you treasured really was as magical as you thought it was.
Patty Larkin with Rick & Lynn
Continue the Journey
Thank you for sharing this memory with me. If you enjoyed this story, here are a few more places I'd love to invite you.
Hear the beautiful song that became part of one unforgettable evening shared with friends and fellow musicians.
Discover timeless songs by remarkable singer-songwriters, including many whose music has inspired my own journey.
📺 Watch a Few of my Performances showcasing other exciting singer/songwriters.
Enjoy complete performances of some of my favorite songs by the artists who have shaped my musical life.
Meet the remarkable people, unexpected encounters, and unforgettable moments that have shaped my life in music.