I encountered Stan Rogers at a Macs Milk (think 7-11) in suburban Ottawa once when I was driving cab (and a few other times at folk music events, but this was the only random meeting). I said hi, what are you doing in town, he said, tv show, I said, I'm a friend of *(*(*(*'s (his manager at the time, whom he was shortly to fire.) "Oh yeah", he said. Later that evening I saw my friend the manager on a sidewalk, so I stopped to chat. "Had a meeting with Stan," he said. "Well, he didn't hit me."

It's been long enough since he died, that people are more willing to say this--Stan wasn't the easiest person to get along with. Doesn't diminish his importance to folk music.

Then there's Doc Watson. The same friend of mine brought Doc to Ottawa for a concert once in 78 or so, I took tickets and got to schmooze in the dressing room. It was a crowded room, and I was amazed--he could see everybody in the room, just not with his eyes. He has an unfailing way of letting you know that he's conscious of you being there, and making a remark just to put you at ease. Many Mudcatters will know this of course. I've often thought that it's a pity the predominant Southern stereotype is the redneck cracker. The other archetype--the real soft-spoken Southern gentleman, and it has nothing whatsoever to do with class stature or wealth--is Doc. What a sweet guy.

Bill