Those Two Times

In the fall of 1966 I was a private in the army
Nineteen years of age and on a plane to Oklahoma
I was kind of shy back then, my face was buried in a book
But still that day I noticed something in the corner of my eye
A passenger was walking down the aisle of the airplane
He had some kind of instrument, and so did several more
Imagine my surprise when I recognized the leader
None other than the legend, Louis Armstrong
Once the plane was cruising Mr. Armstrong stood and walked around
Just chatting with the passengers as easy as you please
He caught sight of my uniform and stopped and asked me for my name
And asked where I was going that «fine day»
This was by far the closest I had ever been to any star
Though spellbound still I mumbled something, nervous as could be
«I'm Private Redman, going for some training, Mr. Armstrong»
He smiled at me, and said that he was going to New Orleans
Two weeks went by, I found myself in Phoenix at the airport
My orders had been changed and I was flying once again
I was riding up an escalator to the second level
When I heard a raspy voice call out my name
«How are you, Mr. Redman, and tell me, how’s your training?»
And there was Louis Armstrong with that big and beautiful smile
Stuck out his hand for me to shake, I fumbled for a piece of paper
Asked him for his autograph, we chatted for a while
I noticed that while we were speaking no one else came close to us
It was just as if this special moment was divinely mine
I’m still amazed he remembered my name
I’ve always tried to do the same
Since meeting Louis Armstrong those two times
«How are you Mr. Redman, and how was your training?»
«I'm quite well, Mr. Armstrong, how was your concert in New Orleans.»