Rusty and his wife Macia (don't remember an "r" in her name) lived in Reno when he hit with Night Life. I was just a 10th grader with a cheap guitar but he was generous enough to show me a couple of things and encourage me to practice-practice-practice. They owned the apartment complex where my family lived on Stardust Street. He sat in our living room and proved it wasn't some studio magic, playing and singing Night Life for us. It was all over the radio at the time.
I especially liked her -- always generous, hard working around the complex. He was a musician, not a businessman. Don't think he would have gotten near as far without her.
Music needs more folks like Rusty who don't just stay in one pigeon hole. Folks willing to share their stories across lines to a wider audience.