First job...an officers club in Fairbanks, Alaska, playing Les Paul tunes (age 11).

At age 15, playing behind touring bands who came through Lexington (Jerry Lee Lewis, B.J. Thomas, the McCoys, etc.). Was house band player, and the only one who could read (music and English, probably). Directed the group of partial house players and some of the road guys (as many as were sober enough not to fall off the bandstand). Played behind Little Enis and the Fabulous Tabletoppers-the house band and well-know regional act). Did Dick Clark Caravan of Stars tours in the summer. A jazz sax guy (Duke Madison)took me to NARCO, a Federal Drug Rehab center in Lexington where I had the great honor to play with the cream of the jazz community, who, sadly, were also hardline druggies...in and out of the facility several times a year.

At 16 I went to California with my family (they spent the previous three years in Turkey and I stayed by myself in Lexington).

Got a house job and met Louis Belson and "Pearlie May", who got me a part-time gig on the Steve Allen syndicated show. Met Ella, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis, Oscar Brown Jr, and hung out at Shelly's Man Hole and other LA spots, where I heard the greatest selection of talent from the saddest, most bitter collection of geniuses you can imagine. Sadly, I was too green behind the ears to even appreciate what I heard (Monk, Lionel Hampton, etc.) Became forever hooked on Jazz, but thankfully, never got into the drug scene, except for an occasional joint or two.

Had discovered women and whiskey and was afraid I couldn't maintain that lifestyle, so I headed back to Kentucky. Highlights include playing with Roland Kirk, Jack McDuff, a house job with Winston Walls, etc.

Made some choices. Wasn't interested in the "He Haw" concept, and turned down an audition (Really stupid idea, I thought). Also wasn't not interested in a shot at the Brenda Lee band and Exile (a "Vanilla Fudge" kind of college band that made it big in (UGH) country).

Always worked days as a college professor and corporate communications officer; usually playing 6 nights a week, too.

Still work 4-6 jobs a week, but now, with no alcohol; preferably not in bars. Have worked over 53 years or in excess of 20,000 gigs with 9 total weeks off for vacation (usually re-locating), and am not even thinking of stopping.

I've been able to keep working because I have played bass, upright, guitar, B-3, piano, arranger, tenor banjo, drums in the jazz, rock, Brazilian, big band (and yes, Mason, EVEN COUNTRY) styles. Now, I'm a "society player", concentrating on jobs for the State Government, Local Government, colleges, Jazz Arts organizations, horse farm owners and non-profits.

I think I'm the luckiest guy alive. I played mostly what I wanted to, and was able to support my family on the income. Made my choices and wouldn't have had it any other way.


Russ