Hi You guys, Lonesome Gilette here.

Joe Offer tracked me down, thanks Joe.
Sorry I haven't been around the last few years. I have a love/hate relationship with the internet, but that's another topic.

But... yes Don, I might have some insight on the footpedal strummer idea for your friend.

I hope it's ok for me to include an email address here...   
my email adress is: ericroyer@msn.com and my website is www.guitarmachine.com

I am alive and well, still doing the bluegrass one man band thing. Just last week I did a great folk music series in Milford New Hampshire, run by Art Bryan, today I played up New Hampshire too. Do a couple gigs a week, till the spring thaw when I will be hitting the streets and pubs again fulltime.