The sad truth, and I've learned it the hard way, is that the self-promoting, self-aggrandizing, self-congratulatory folks whose only topics of conversation are what they're doing, where they're doing it, who they're doing it with, and how well it's going, get jobs, get remembered, and keep working.

As someone once said, "If I don't promote myself, who will?" And guess what, WesleyS, it's catching--Don't believe me? Here's what you just told me:

Here's the deal. I have a friend who is an excellent fingerstyle guitarist. he's ..technically gifted. this guy has been a great friend over the years. You can count on him to go the extra mile for you if you're in trouble. And we have a lot of history together. He's an upstanding guy in a lot of ways. ... he's self confident in the extreme.

He's really talented when it comes to both Delta and Piedmont style blues. I've just purchased a new National mandolin and want to get better at these styles but the trio I'm in currently isn't inclined to move in that direction. My friend can teach me a lot about some musical areas I want to go in and I'm sure he'd be open to it. I'd be able to "drop in" to his performances for a few numbers without any trouble. And if I wasn't able to show up at a gig because of family obligations I wouldn't be missed.
So to me I've got a lot I can learn – and have some fun doing it. The downside would be minimal.

You make it sound like you've got the opportunity of the century--