There was a time when competition made me freeze up. My group played for a Bank of America picnic; there were about 700 people. As we finished setting up I strapped on my guitar and looked up at a crowd of four deep – they had made a circle around us.

I went to play a chord on my guitar and stopped dead. Started again, the B3 came in with the drummer and my sax man started and the place went wild. When we were done they carried our instruments to the car.

I had a similar experience in a hotel in New York. I walked into a room of 125 people and froze – they were all black. Black people love music and they are good at it. Some of the best musicians I’ve heard were black. The place went wild. Their response to our music made us play like we have never played before.

Oh how we underestimate ourselves. Music does not have to be the best; it just has to be coming right from the middle of your heart.

Times were sooo good, John C.