At various stages of my life, different things blew me away.

Early memories of songs that I couldn't get enough of are Vaugn Monroe's "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and "Cool Water" by The Sons of the Pioneers. It was impossible to hear these songs too often on the radio.

"Skokiann" came a little later. It had a rhythm that I was totally unfamiliar with and that I couldn't get out of my head.

"Unsquare Dance" by the Dave Brubeck Quintet -- 7/4 time was and is still amazing to me.

I met Bob Coltman in the early 70's and found him to be one of the most electrifying singers and musicians I've ever met. Plus a sweetheart of a human being. Many of his songs have had an effect on me that has stayed with me for over 30 years. The first one was "Cool Drink of Water Blues". I later heard Tommy Johnson's version, but Coltman's voice is the one that stays in my head.