I talked to Marie yesterday. John was out on the porch which she felt was a good sign. I'm glad that some of his close by Tennessee friends are stopping in. Knowing how much John admires Earl Scruggs, I'm sure it was a great morale booster to have his old friend and mentor be there with him. As I've said here a few times already, it was pretty wondrous spending time knowing John on the steamboat Julia Belle Swain. He's a damn musical genius and a fine fellow.

Art Thieme