What a great name for a rock band, Black Whales. It is especially great since the bass guitar player is my own great grand nephew, Ryan Middleton, whom I had not seen but once in many years until I learned that his band was appearing Sept. 15 at our own West Seattle Easy Street Records on California Avenue Southwest.

His grandmother is my niece, whom I wrote about some time ago. I used to visit her in Centralia, Wash. when I was little. Yes, the same one that took me down the street from her house to see the dance program that her neighbor, the late, great choreographer Merce Cunningham organized for all the kids in the neighborhood.

Now the grandson of this niece of mine is carrying on the musical tradition of the family. What an exciting life appearing at radio stations to pitch their first record and touring the country as far as New York City and Texas to introduce their unique sound.

I drove to West Seattle, parked and walked down the sidewalk toward Easy Street, past the Discovery Shop where I buy my pre-worn clothes, and approached the sidewalk café.

A young, handsome man sitting at a table in front called out, “Hello Georgie.” He was very excited that this aging aunt would come to his gig and actually appreciate his style of rock music.

To be sure I could handle the sound booming from the two big speakers, he handed me a pair of dark yellow earplugs which I rolled and stuck in my ears as the wonderful beat of the drummer set the scene for the three guitars, keyboard player and the lead singer.

Waving my arms and moving my feet in abandon I forgot my arthritis as my whole body relaxed and was invigorated. Two women who had ties to the band recognized me as the wife who had visited her husband two years ago at Kline Galland Care Center where they work. When they learned that I was going to be on Evening Magazine on Channel 5 as the Oldest Standup Comic in Seattle they asked me if I would perform for Kline Galland and I was soon giving them my card.

As usual at a rock band gig, there were wonderfully vibrant young girls adoring these young idols and foot tapping young boys moving to the rock rhythms. Soon they announced that their CD was on sale.

I asked Ryan to sign my new CD and he soon had the other four band members sign as I remarked, “This will be a collector’s item someday.”

As I got a hug from my great grand nephew he asked, “Did you drive here?” After my answering in the affirmative he offered to walk me to my car. In my usual independent manner I said, “No. I’m OK.”

Then I carried the signed CD proudly down the street anticipating putting it into my CD player as soon as I could get home.

Remember my saying that the age groups should mingle? Well I mingled and it was a great experience. Wait until I tell my rheumatologist about rock music masking my arthritis.

Rock on, Black Whales.

Georgie Bright Kunkel is a freelance writer who can be reached at gnkunkel@comcast.net or 206-935-8663.