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Cherries line the back of Brian Brandt's truck where, while dressed as a cowboy, he sings and sells fruit. Brandt was laid off from his construction job on Tuesday and has supplemented his income by selling the cherries at the corner of California and Lockeford streets. (Brian Feulner/News-Sentinel)
Laid-off, singing Sonora man starts peddling cherries on Lockeford Street
"You get yours, I'll get mine swingin' that hammer 'til the rain.
"Some folks say that I'm a little bit crazy. Some folks say I'm losin' my mind. One thing's for certain, they know I ain't lazy. Swingin' that hammer in the old gold mine," sang Brian Bradt, while strumming the life out of a Mini Martin Acoustic Guitar.
Just behind Bradt as he sat in the bed of an old white pick-up truck was a hand-painted sign that read, "Fresh Cherries."
Along with a giant cowboy smile, Bradt wore elaborate cowboy boots and a brown cowboy hat that covered his long black curly mustache, beard and brown bandana.
On Tuesday, Bradt, 28, of Sonora, was laid off from his construction job in Stockton, where he'd worked for seven years. While still needing a pay check, a friend helped set Bradt up so he could sell cherries and other dried fruit out of the back of his truck at the intersection of California and Lockeford streets in Lodi on Thursday.
Bradt started playing the guitar when he was 15 and always had a love for Western-style and rockabilly music. He recently started a band in Stockton called the Barrel House Boys.
As a truck drove by and honked, Bradt waved and carried on with his music.
"Save my nickels and save my dimes, so I can really tear it up on Friday night," he sang.
More music from the Barrel House Boys can be found at www.myspace.com/brianbradt.
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Great American Trucker wrote on May 22, 2009 9:22 PM:
I can commiserate. I've only worked 30-40 days this year; the rest of the time, I sit around hoping the economy will get better. There's plenty of work out there; getting paid for it is a different matter.
If you need lead guitar, let me know; I'll even do background vocals if the cherries sell, and I'll bring my old Martin mahogany-box with me. I'd play the Roundhouse for beer at this point, know what I mean?
It's hard to believe that California is being managed so badly. I'd go back to teaching, but no one's hiring anymore. Everyone I know who owned their own trucking business is gone now, most moved off back east for work. The rest of us are hanging on hoping things will straighten out by the end of the year. After that, I may join the rest heading out. "
sam wrote on May 22, 2009 9:07 PM:
It is SWEET ! "
dyan wrote on May 22, 2009 8:30 PM:
dogs4you wrote on May 22, 2009 7:52 PM:
Concerning last night, take another look at the lion`s head on Santana`s Abraxas cover jacket. Very interesting at what you see. "
dogs4you wrote on May 22, 2009 7:20 PM:
IMHO you sound like your going to put him up for St. Hood.
Brian`s truck, according to the pic doesn`t look to old or beat up to me. "
IMHO wrote on May 22, 2009 2:59 PM:
"...a friend helped set Bradt up so he could sell cherries and other dried fruit out of the back of his truck at the intersection..." Amazing, a positive story about someone trying to make a living, instead of panhandling or relying on unemployment or welfare and you all blast him? You all should be ashamed of yourselves! "
pooreastside wrote on May 22, 2009 2:45 PM:
If he has a friend that helped set him up, what makes you think the friend didn't have cherries?
As far as licenses, you should be glad he is trying to take care of himself rather than worry about his license. Do people have licenses for garage sales where they make a buck? Give a hard worker a break.
By the way, his singing is great. Way to go Brian. "
sam wrote on May 22, 2009 2:18 PM:
dogs4you wrote on May 22, 2009 10:47 AM:
dogs4you wrote on May 22, 2009 10:00 AM:
Whats worse is the guy that drives around selling meat froma the back of a pick-up, road kills? "
wtf wrote on May 22, 2009 7:52 AM:
wtf wrote on May 22, 2009 7:48 AM:
Before complaining, check it out.
http://music.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=music.singleplaylist&friendid=221361701 "
rockyk70 wrote on May 22, 2009 7:36 AM:
T & C wrote on May 22, 2009 7:23 AM:
warrenb1973 wrote on May 22, 2009 7:11 AM:
jbhiker wrote on May 22, 2009 6:11 AM:
Comments on this story are now closed.