Whenever I met Rick he had this way of making me feel that he immediately knew that what I was doing, thinking , yearning for in my musical interests, and even in my daily life, and he was somehow affirmatively validating it all. His manner of doing so made me feel that he had a profound connection as we might have with an old friend. This was his great gift! Rick was an occasional aquaintance in my life, but whenever we saw each other it became a special experience for me in some way. I'd often think of Rick and wonder if He'd really like something I've heard, played, or an instrument I've seen, or tinkered with, or bought, or a musician He should meet, and sometimes we'd chat about these things as if nothing else in the world was of any greater importance. I will really miss not having that occasional experience with him again. We never really clicked well playing music together even though our tastes were similar in a few areas, and I attribute that to my set style and lvery imited musical abilities compared to that of Rick's. He'd put me on the spot sometimes in public by suddenly making me back him up on something I'd never heard before in some unplayable key (for me)and I'd get kind of embarrassed and have an anxiety attack, and then later I'd laugh about it. That was Rick - get you involved and task you to the max so that you'd have something to work on for later. His joy in making music and giving to others is his mark. I admire him greatly, and I'll try inspire a few people in my life as Rick has done to so many in his. I'm getting another new banjo soon - I'll play "Heartbeat" just for you. Arnie
|