Mac, thanks so much for posting the link to Rory's work.

Probably most important of all, he's a GOOD person. I've always believed that the most talented people are the nicest, and that pretty much describes Rory. All that talent and modest as can be. He'll blow you away on keyboards, too!

And Rory, it seemed like we had been going places together for years. My bass player all through college was my life-long friend, Johnnie Ballard. We were friends for over 40 years. He died last year, but every year, we'd make a big event out of checking out the new cars. He knew every change and could identify the make, model and year of any vehicle he could touch in about 30 seconds.

Walking around was bitter-sweet for me, because it brought back 40 years of great memories. We were on the road together in the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tour one summer-about 1964, I think, and had a standing weekly lunch for 35 of the 40 years; until he got ill and couldn't be as mobile as he once was. In my heart, I'd been there before, and it felt good!

Here's hoping Rory get's all the recognition and success he so rightfully deserves.

And don't worry about old Russ getting short-changed in the calamari department.

Russ (burp) Lay



[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 07-20-2009).]