I played with Doc at a concert in Eden, NC about a month ago- He hasn't lost much and he will be 80 in March 2003.

We opened and he played a song with us that he'd never heard and had no trouble playing solos. He's just a natural talent.

He played solo and with his grandson Richard. He's also revived "I am a pilgrim" and "Tennessse Stud," a song he usually wouldn't play much the last ten years. His playing is still great and his yodeling has actually improved the last few years. He has trouble sometimes remembering all the lyrics but so do I.

He will be doing a video on Dec. 9 in Winston-Salem with Earl Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs. I'm going to try to see that!

Sorry didn't see the show in Philly,

-Richie