Bonnie ... approval and playing music go hand-in-hand. Even the best seek approval. The trick is to avoid being hurt when the approval is not forthcoming.

Here's another story about my father ... I started playing and singing again last year, really after I met harpgirl and she started hammering me to play and sing. I was in 7th heaven ... doing, again, what I love so dearly. I was telling my father and he said, without skipping a beat, you need to learn country songs. I said "Daddy ... I don't sing country music." His reply was "Well, then, I don't want to hear it and neither will anyone else." I was crushed and had to spend time out of my life regrouping.

Your teacher says you are a banjo player!! Not a "just beginning to learn" banjo player, but a banjo player. What a vote of confidence. I'd give anything to have my father say that.

Now ... all you gotta do is put it together with your voice and you got an act!!!!!! But don't let catspaw being your manager ... he'll be billing you as "Banjo Bonamie - The Amazing Nekkid Banjo Player."

Jenny