Bonnie. From the day I started seriously playing (about 15) til the day he died (when I was 18) My father would ask me to play "The Blue Tail Fly" and "Oh Susannah".

To me they were stupid commercial songs. I played what I considered to be "serious" folk music.

He must have been hurt. I'd give five years of my life to have five minutes with him and play one of his "requests".

I've always tried to offer my students the option of playing to make others happy as well as themselves. It's quite easy to do both.

"Well I come from Alabama........"!!

Rick