John, I left SoCal in the summer of 1976 for the great state of Texas. However, I still remember the great folk clubs I used to haunt all over Orange and LA counties. Some of my favorites were The Troubador and Ash Grove in LA and The Golden Bear in Huntington Beach. Also spent a lot of time at Frankenstein's in Laguna Beach. I was a fixture at all the open mikes but never made the big time -- but I did make a lot of friends. I still catch Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsten whenever they come to town (Houston) and I used to never miss Allan Damron when he was still with us. I remember Jackson Browne, Mary McCasslin, and Seals and Crofts when they were just starting out -- I even saw Cat Stevens when he did his first show at the Troubador. I am an old man now - retired in 1991, but the memories are still strong. Still, my favorites were Bud and Travis. I stay in touch with Travis and Rose Marie and he's doing as well as can be expected considering. He just celebrated his 74th birthday - we are close in age !!! Enough rambling -- take care and good health !!

Les Blank