Actually, Gary, I have played my share of country music when I supported myself 100% playing. One band was the top group in Lexington...an Eddie Arnold kind of group. The guitar/tenor banjo guy had played Vegas for years. We did supper clubs...tuxes and all. The place I played in college in Victorville, California was called the Silver Saddle. The star was "Sugarfoot" Collins...complete with Porter Wagoner sparkles, who's opening line was, "Hi, there, I'm Sugarfoot Collins, better known as ole "sweetfeet" and I'm gonna shuck a little corn."

I don't mind listening to it as much as I dislike playing it.

Turned down a music directors job on Hee Haw (or, at least, an interview) because I thought the idea of old men in corn fields with young women in low-cut tops was stupid and would never make it (LOL). (Low-cut tops? Now That was a stupid thing to turn down as a 22 year old "horn-dog")

Decided not to play with a local country group that became really big on a national level when they followed their #1 pop hit with a country album...thought I would be a sell-out.

Preston Weber, my long-time partner, who died a month or so ago, had transitioned from a folk/sing-a-long guy to a country sing-a-long guy who did modern country. I played with him two sets on guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass and did two jazz sets solo. He earned as much as I did combining my day VP level job at a Fortune 200 company and evening job and was worth every penny. We did the World's Fair Together and traveled for the state department of tourism as Kentucky music ambassadors.

I understand that a commitment to jazz is an addiction and I, as well as others pay a big price for it, in terms of less money, fewer jobs (probably less women) and having to please a jazz audience, which is informed and super critical (don't drink as much as other audiences, either, which impacts the bottom line, and the paycheck).I'm hooked and can't bring myself to play anything else. The compromise is, I play jazz songs so quietly that I don't get in the way of eating a ham sandwich.

Actually, I just got off the phone with Chas, and he liked the video and gave me some "crap" for knocking it!

And, one of my best friends here; Rory is a Nashville session player who can play me under the table with one hand tied behind his back.

You're right, Gary...whatever floats your boat.

And, after all, it's not the meek who will inherit the earth...it's the REDNECKS(LOL)!

BURP!

Russ(closet Redneck)Lay




[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 10-26-2010).]