Bob McKay Playing "Blue Suade Shoes"

The Blue Suade Shoes Piano...

...walked into The 3rd Annual Playin’ Around South Orange, complete with faux suade textured paint, which was saw dust mixed with blue paint; faux suade fabric, that covered the sound board; dashed lines representing stitching, and messages of creative responsibility, despite adversity; plus a shoe logo, "Go cat go!"

At a dance, Carl Perkins overheard someone saying this real life line, “Don’t step on my suedes” which inspired his song, Blue Suede Shoes. He quickly jotted down the lyrics from his head onto a paper bag over 60 years ago, misspelling "suede" for swade. His story of writing down an idea, creating a rockabilly song that has topped the various music charts was truly amazing! This song has been sung by Elvis, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, etc.

"Step into my Blue Suade Shoes" was the theme of this blue painted piano. I see the Blue Suade Shoes as a creative place to get into and allow yourself to be creative, despite adversity...think responsibility, but dance because you want to. Be inspirational, “persuade” someone. I am constantly finding myself reversing letters, mispronouncing words, and not remembering the spelling rules. I find it amazing that misspelling creates new ideas. Maybe spell check isn’t so good after all!

I wrote a poem for the piano…
Step 1

Startin‘ wit da old nursery rhyme...

One for da money, two for da show,

Three to get ready, four ta go ...

Step 2

Well, hows about?

You can knock em out.

Step in place.

Do anything dat you want to do.

Start the race.

Run wit em in da chase.

Step 3

May I persuade you? Are you swayed to...Play a swade piano?

Step 4

Go Cat go! Step into my Blue Suade Shoes! Step on my Petals, too!

This Piano was dedicated to my Mom, who was a shoe designer, mispronounced words, and inspired me to paint, photograph and make art.