Ya CAUGHT ME, IAN! This is a photo of me and my long-time partner and teacher in 1969-1970. I intentionally chose one with Tommy, because I thought the Melodica would throw everyone off.

Ian, I was playing guitar through a huge Gretsch amp with two 15's and a neat built in echo...rare for those days. Bass was played through an old Sunn. PA was a Standel...4 channels.

The double was played through a Leslie split with the Gretsch.
Lonnie Mack, a guy from Cincinnati, had a hit "Wham", which was played through a Leslie.

Later, when Tommy passed, I played a single with a drum machine and a 335 through a Leslie, playing the bass lines on the E and A strings with my thumb.

The shirts were really cheezy....all one piece, even though they were meant to look like a shirt and a vest.

Tommy made the national news when, as a police judge in Paris, Kentucky, he picked up a busload of guys at an illegal cock fight. First guy on the buss was his DAD! AP picked up the story and ran it nationally.

Our act was simple; Tommy on B-3 and a small Wurlitzer. I played a wall of string instruments, plus vibes and, as Tommy's hands began to slow down, various synths, string machines, etc. We eventually switched my string machine with the Wurlitzer, and I played the piano leads. I was "front man" and did all the vocals.

String instruments included A tenor banjo, a slide steel, a mandolin, a nylon string, a steel string, a telly, L-5, the double, a Fender Jazz bass, a Strat and an Ampeg upright.

All show! Must have thought I was Barbara mandrel(LOL).

We had the best lounge jobs and backed all the folks who came thru town, including Ike Cole, Nat's brother and lots of others.

Tom is gone, but I have a lifetime of memories. He was my teacher (played like a sophisticated Jimmy Smith)and best friend. We were terrors, often removing troublesome guests manually. I still visit his widow weekly. My old Yamaha Electone, which i loaned to Tommy when he got sick, is still in her front room.

Thanks for letting me reminisce. And, Donny, thanks a lot for helping out with this little trip down musical memory lane.


Russ

P.S. Nigel, I did the photo with an old Rolliflex and a bulb shutter release, which I operated with my foot. Had been working as a corporate photographer for 10 years or more.