Besides music, Rick and I also share a great passion for baseball. When we've been in each other's company over the years, some of the time has been spent playing and talking about music, but usually, we wind up in a baseball trivia contest. I have always respected the fact that, on his radio show, he's welcomed both professional and amateur musicians as his guests. Not many radio hosts, in any market, are this daring or generous to do so. I find his opinions on various topics to always be refreshingly candid, even when I do not agree with some of them. In short, he's one of the most honest people that I know. Rick is blunt and straightforward, but without having a mean bone in his body. As Howard Cosell used to say, "he tells it like it is." You run with Rick's compliments, but also take heed of his constructive critism and advice, on what he thinks will make you a better musician. One of the qualities that I most admire in a person, is a great sense of humour. His wit, and quickness of mind is legendary, and right up there with the likes of Grit Laskin and Tam Kearney, two of my favourite people. Finally, his influence in our community, such as husband, musician, teacher, and all around great guy, who continues to have such a positive effect on all of us who are lucky enough to have not only made his acquaintance, but better yet, call him friend.