I stumbled on the live version of "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" by Johnny Mathis late last night, and was simply speechless.

As a kid, one afternoon, I listened to "Rock Around the Clock" followed by "Chances Are". I had been plying for money for a year or so, and realized what a difference there was between these two songs and singers. That started my lifelong interest in structure, passing chords, inversions...everything that gets a "picker and grinner" into trouble (LOL)!

Then, I started to look for information on Mathis. I found out that he had been an Olympic caliber high jumper in college before making the choice to work in music.

I had also heard that he tried to be a jazz singer, but, unlike me, figured out that there was a lot better living in doing something.....ANYTHING but jazz.

His is a talent that crosses categories. Excellence in music is just that...EXCELLENT!

At 78, he just completed a new Christmas album and has a full touring schedule in 2014.

The lesson I learned is, he's a brilliant vocalist and a complete gentleman, as are most I've met who are at the top of their field(s). And, he's a talent of major proportions; one that defies categories.

Whether you're a jazz or country player...whatever, if you and I took his hard work approach and had his talent, we'd be at the top of our games, too!

I lost the link, but just Google the live version of Johnny Mathis, How do you keep the music playing.

It's so good it'll bring tears to your eyes.

It did mine.

Russ