Back in the summer of 1973, I went looking for the jam sessions that I had read about that took place in Washington Square in NYC. I met Ray on that first day. He was sort of the leader of the old-time sessions. I wasn't very good as a musician, but he treated me as if I was just as talented as anyone else, taking the time to teach me some tunes and encouraging me to sing, since I was a better singer than banjo player. Not many people would have tolerated me as much as he did. He was an incredibly generous person. I'll miss him greatly. RIP, Ray.