Well, guys, I just finished a long phone conversation with Wayne Skertich. He and I have never met, but I know his daughter Zondra from our local Bozeman sessions. She is a university student here. Zondra is on her own road trip, in Illinois right now. She had told me she was writing a book on her family's history of music, and I had assumed she was talking about bluegrass, since I knew she and her parents played bluegrass music.

In this conversation with Wayne, I just learned that his family is Croatian, and his heritage is the Balkan music that was performed in the Chicago area by his father, uncle, and other relatives, called the Skertich Brothers. He has alot of ethnic intruments, about 50 78rpm records they recorded. (He also has a friend who is British who lives in Livingston who plays flamenco who may drive down.)

Wayne does not have a computer at this time, but once in awhile can use the library internet. He found a website with photos of his family and the Skertich Brothers band at tamburaweb.com - here's the link click here Skertich Brothers Tamburitza Orchestra. Now I am considering going down to Gardiner tomorrow night with you to meet Wayne. I hesitated because of the price of gas and other obligations, but after talking to Wayne more, I am persuaded that having us altogether in Jardine, hearing his collection of ethnic instruments, being together, would be an opportunity I should not miss. On Monday night here, my voice teacher would like to come over and hear the music, I have another friend from England, a couple of local fiddle players who would like to play... Sunday night in Gardiner and Monday night in Bozeman are going to be quite an experience.

Now I am off to mow the lawn. I'll check back later.

Alice