I was heading back to Montana from California and changing trains in Portland. The old Union Station there is huge with great acoustics. Having plenty of time I pulled out my banjo to pass the time. I must say my 1927 Mastertone never sounded better. All of a sudden, the security guard came up and told me that I had to put it away. When I inquired as to why, he replied, "Think of what would happen if someone came in with an accordian!" I've also had mixed reactions on the train. The last time I was heading home to Oregon from Spokane and some fellow travelers requested that I play a couple of tunes. The chief of service on board told me I couldn't(I suppose he thought the film was more important, even though noone in our car had bought headphones, or was really watching.)

Mark Ross