I had over 400 students in my music store/school, the school was the major source of income. Back in those days the accordion ruled. We had accordion bands, groups, accordion everything. When accordion sales began to go down, I was not sure what I had to do.

One of my customers said “John you must go with the flow”. She was right, R&R was here to stay, and accordions were on their way out. Then came jokes like; He was a bad guy, so he was sent to hell, and for extra punishment we were going to put an accordion player in with him. The accordion had its day.

I switched to guitar everything. My business continued to prosper. Accordion students were few.

Those of us who have a choice are fortunate. Feed my business, or feed myself. It’s my life and my business, and whatever I decide is right for me. Amen!

Why did I leave New York I 1984? I’m glad you asked. Because I was playing more and more R&R on the job. I had to be true to myself, so I moved to Florida, R&R was not ruling at that time.

Now I could still be selling accordions, and still be playing R&R, but being what someone else wants you to be eliminates most of the joy in one’s life.

Just saying, John C.
This keeps rolling in my head: Either relieve yourself, or get off the pot.