The double lives of public officials rarely escape the attention of the media or the general public -- and Penn State President Graham Spanier is no exception.
For the first time this semester, Spanier will be making an appearance on the washboard, playing with the Family Brew at 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the Brewery, 223 E. Beaver Ave.
Though not a regular member of the band, Spanier makes perennial appearances with the band on his custom-modified washboard, mounted with pieces of percussion instruments.
"It's a lot of fun," Spanier said. "I have the opportunity to play with some pretty fabulous musicians."
Spanier said he started playing 14 years ago when he was spotted in the audience at a Deacons of Dixieland show.
"I was pulled out of the audience just for fun," Spanier said.
He was given the chance to play the washboard and has since embraced the instrument.
Now a regular with the Deacons, he also sits in with other bands and has built his own custom washboard.
Spanier's washboard has one side that is antique glass and another that is metal. He has also mounted 25 percussion pieces onto the instrument.
"About every year, I put a few more on and take a few more off," Spanier said. "The washboard instrument has evolved over the years."
Jennifer Hesketh, a singer and banjo player for the Family Brew, met the Penn State president at a university dinner.
"One of my friends mentioned to him that I played in a band," Hesketh said.
"He played in any number of bands and he said, 'Oh, that sounds like I would fit right in.' I said, 'You're more than welcome to sit in with us anytime you want.' He's been doing it ever since."
Hesketh said Spanier does fit in well with the band's style of folk, polka and pop. There's no big introduction when the president plays on stage -- Hesketh said she understands it's nice for him to not be reminded of his job every once and a while. Spanier said he is just too focused when playing on stage to worry about his day job.
"While focusing on your percussion, you can't be worried about other things," Spanier said.
