With my memory, who knows? I recollect in primary school, about 6 yrs. old or thereabouts, we had a guy come into our class who played a guitar and sang songs. One was "The Golden Vanity" I was outraged, infuriated at the evil ships captain, I guess I identified with the poor little double crossed cabin boy, MORE ADULT DUPLICITY! Though that wasn't in my vocabulary. My uncle Jim played the banjo, but was so bashful you rarely heard him. I also thought "John, Paul George & Ringo" we're the coolest, Mom used to yell at me to stop jumping up & down on my bed singing "She Loves You, yeah, yeah...."

Skip ahead to twelve years of age, taking guitar lessons with Tiny Hostetter, a GREAT SOUL (r.i.p.). Tiny played and sang with his wife, Tina, they played the popular music of their time, the great standards of the 30's & 40's. Tiny actually had a pretty horrible voice, it was Tina who could sing, but Tiny told me to never be afraid, just sing, or if you're too embarrassed, whistle. As much as I learned about music from that man, I learned more about dignity and generosity of spirit. I always get emotional when I think of him.

To this day, most of what I play is Jazz, the standards that Tiny & Tina used to sing, but the Old Songs still are a part of me, especially the ballads. Between playing Jazz & Swing for fun, some classical duets (Violin & Guitar) for weddings, and holding down a "real job" in the unreal world, most of my folk experience these days consists of either listening, or reading the ballads, but if I ever get shed of my "real job......"

Frank I.T.S.