One asks, in a song, about being loaned a dime.
The other loans dimes — lots of them.
Together, through a family marriage, singer Boz Scaggs and Buffalo business and civic leader Robert Gioia are linked.
Scaggs, who is headlining Tuesday’s nights Artpark concert series, is married to Gioia’s first cousin, Dominique. Scaggs and Dominique have been married for 24 years and because of those ties plus his own touring schedule has been a frequent Buffalo visitor and is probably more familiar with the region than most performers.
“The face of Buffalo has changed right before my eyes,” Scaggs said. “It seems like a very vital city. There is this very distinct feeling about Buffalo.”
Gioia, John R. Oishei Foundation president and Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. chairman, has a lot to do with Buffalo’s dramatic transformation.
Scaggs and his band spent their off-day relaxing with the Robert and Sally Gioia at the couple’s Point Abino, Ontario summer home. There was lots of good food and wine — like a French rose — and more than a few family stories passed around.
“They are such a great couple and great family,” Scaggs said of his hosts.
Gioia said he catches all of Scaggs’ local concerts and, yes, he will be at Artpark Tuesday night.
The Texas-born Scaggs came onto the music scene in the mid-1960s as a member of the Steve Miller Band and then went solo in 1969. His first album contained one Scaggs’ signature tunes, “Loan Me a Dime.” His current tour is to support “A Fool to Care,” Scaggs’ latest release.
For the past 16 years, Scaggs has owned a California vineyard producing a bounty of grapes that have made their way into mourvèdre, grenache, syrah and counoise-blended wines.
So yes, talk frequently turns to wine and food.
Scaggs said he has had some of the Niagara-on-the-Lake wines, courtesy of the Gioias.
“They are very distinct and very drinkable,” the well-versed Scaggs said.
And what about the Niagara-on-the-Lake signature ice wines that have garnered international acclaim.
Yes, he has tried them.
“But, I don’t drink a lot of dessert wines,” Scaggs said.