For those of you who have put up negative comments about the people talking in the background...This dear man came in for a video contest without anyone to film his video. The staff at the store accommodated him by filming this video for him, while other customers went about their business, including some that were testing PA in the background. It's a 20,000 square foot music store and, yes, a few things were going on in the background. It's just fortunate that this video was captured, as it is one of the only available of this treasure of a good man. RIP, Earnest. Thank you for sharing your stories and your music.
What a great old gentleman. Started the hard way, then served his country, and still has the ability to bring something good to those around him. This man deserves to always be remembered.
I just wanted to make this veteran happy! Even Cdr. Trip Tucker on "Enterprise" plays a harmonica! He even gave it to a man on a planet to borrow his horse. Hope the others on his deck weren't too displeased! My brother's a Navy veteran too. Thank you for your service, Ernst!
Ernie Mattson passed away 10 months after this video was posted. According to the obituary guest book, he was loved and cherished by all who were in his presence. Now he plays a golden harmonica for God....
Astounding. The story is worth as much as the music, which is already impressive. Orphaned, yet still made it so far. I see why they call it the Greatest Generation. He only mentioned in passing that he was in the Navy, but it's because of the service of guys like this, that we enjoy most of the good things we have today.
This is history! I have been playing 35 yrs and im 58. Love this mans style. Very neat event going on here, from another era completely. Was very blessed by this.
This old mans heart knows it all now, and he doesn't let him self be botherd by the the young peoples unconsious disrespect or hurry. He managed to fall back into the good old days like he saw it before his eyes, and felt the smell, heard the sound. Thank you old man. May peace be with you
Really?!? Dislikes on this incredible survivor's story and playing? Some are so frikken dense as to be useless to earth imho. What a gem, it's 2018 now, and I doubt Ernest is still around but I am sure he is remembered by many, many people. thanks for the vid!
Ernest was playing "Anchors Aweigh" and "Marine's Hymn" quite well, using "tongue blocking", which allows notes on the right and left sides of the tongue to sound at the same time. The tongue blocks the middle notes, sounding like two harmonicas at once. Great job. Neat.
I've never tried "Tongue Blocking" before, so I grabbed my harmonica and began getting silly, slobbering all over it with my tongue. I'm laughing my ass off, but it works.
The man may be old, but what he played there gave a glimpse of his youth. What a harmonica player he must have been! He played with vigor few young harmonica players now possess.
That is so cool. What he is doing is very difficult to do. Especially playing a two part, through an entire song and then backing it up with another one! That is absolutely amazing.
I've seen people in their 40's that aren't as healthy as this 97 year old was. He looked great. He played really good or great for a 97 year old man. I have to disagree with the 40 people (or bots) that disliked this and give it a like.
That is something I noticed and thought how the hell does he do that. Besides the fact he is really talented and a great pair of lungs to play it like he does.
@@JimPlattes its interesting to me as well, I am now 90 yrs, and this is the way we learned to play popular music, and its still how I play for relaxation, its not dificult, just takes practise :)
Pear amazing at 98. Ser, you rocked it out of the park in to the swing days and hit that one on the head. Good for you. It was pear joy lissioning to you. Thank you so much ser.
May God Bless you friend. And my blessings (as an ex service guy ), and limey, to you, your family, comrades, and loved ones, peace, be good, be kind, be happy, be loved. .......
I've played a variety of musical instruments from age 6-years until now (51-years), and the most I could ever figure out how to get from a harmonica was a donkey-sounding "hee-haw". This was such a treat to watch & listen to. Thank you post posting this! :)
I read in the comments below that this Gentleman has now passed. Well this clip Iv'e just found today in 2019. A true inspiration and I figure that if he made it through to 97 the store I hope gave him at least one free harp. I agree with other comments below, I feel blessed to have found this. Age is just a thing we all have to deal with but once the player plays shut your eyes and we all into our prime again; in the moment
He reminds me of my late grandfather who was self-taught on fretted string instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, things like that) and played in Swing bands before the war (WWII). After the war he played some, but focused his efforts on graphic arts and design for a printing company and as husband and father to his wife and daughter. I'll just bet that Mr. Mattson would be a treasure trove of stories, just like my grandfather, who passed away in 05 at the age of 91.
A pity his friends didn't give the rattle snakes to the old witch; but had they done so this man's talent may have remained dormant. Thank you Mr. Mattson.
What a miraculous Time Machine this video is. He really plays harp like you would hear on a 1920s record with the whop whop sound and straight not cross harp. He sounds like Woody
It would have been nice to meet him. Maybe we will in another time and place. For those who have put their lives on the line in respect please listen to Up Here In Heaven
