Donny, I can't imagine what any of us could share that would come back to bite us in the a**. To me, that sort of reeks of either insecurity or a bit of an ego.

That's just me, however, and I'm not suggesting that my opinion is right or that your approach is wrong.

I even give "walk-in" musicians the name and number of the person in charge of booking where I'm working and wish them well when they try to book a job. If they're better than me, they deserve the work. If they're not, they won't get it.

As I've gotten older, I take great pride in the times I've been counted on as a mentor, and vicariously enjoy the success of some of those I've helped along the way.

My musical life has been richer and easier with the assistance of Ray Brown, Ella, "Pearlie Mae", Herb Ellis, and many others who gave a kind word or serious advice to "the kid".

That, in great part, is what's so cool about the business.


Russ