That's probably pretty close, Mark. I'm sure if the medicine hawker could have drummed up a fire eater, he would have.

Ebbie, I guess I exaggerated a bit when I said a "million of 'em." I was just parroting Jimmy Durante.

There is only one other story I have that might pluck you string. This same group was invited to play at a rodeo in Fort Worth Texas that same year and we were assured an audience with Gene Autry who was to be the featured star.

I chose, instead, to go to the Houston Fat Stock show with my best buddy who was showing a steer that year.

The accordian player/fiddle/banjo player never forgave me. They were sure, had Gene heard us, we would have been on our way to Hollywood!

I didn't regret it though, because it was on that trip to Houston that I was introduced to oysters. But then that's a whole other story.

DougR