I think I have said this before... John Hartford was one of the things Mister brought to the marriage. Eleven years ago I had no idea who he was. I knew Gentle on My Mind because my family was a bunch of Glen Campbell fans, and at every gathering my uncle asked if I couldn't play it on the piano. No I couldn't play it on the piano! Jeez!

Anyway we went off to see him one night at the Ryman. Mister says, this guy is SO cool, he dances and plays the banjo at the same time. Hmm. Sure enough. Loved the show, and the rapport he had with the audience.

HEard him on Riders Radio Theater a few times. What a hoot.

Then, of course, when I started playing the fiddle, well, I just had to have that Ed Haley CD he did. Three years ago, John played at a benefit concert for the place where I work. He came in and played and left. He looked tired. But he sounded great. What a fiddler.

My job was to get the performing artists to autograph the posters so we could put them in the auction. I stuck my head in the door backstage and I said, Mr. Hartford, sir, when you get a chance, if you wouldn't mind signing these posters please? He nodded at me and I shut the door. (I was too dumbstruck to say anything else.)

I don't think he ever got around to signing the posters...