Was lucky enough to land a job at a club in Apple Valley in 1963. The place was owned by Tony Belson, Louie's brother, also a drummer. My dad was stationd at George AFB in Victorville, and I was a "wet behind the ears" 16 year old rock-n-roller. Through those connections, I went with Louie and his wife, Pearl Bailey, to a taping of the syndicated Steve Allen show in Los Angeles.
Ray, Herb Ellis and a few other musicians on the show would take me to local venues. Ray was divorced from, but still close to Ella Fitzgerald, who was extremely shy.
Communicated with Ray about once a year until his death several years ago. The last time I saw him was about five years in Louisville, where he was taping a PBS show with Edgar Meyer and Victor Wooten (what a delight). When I got to the hotel, Ray was giving a free bass lesson to a promising local bassist...something he did whenever he traveled. He was as fine a gentleman as I ever met. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. My only regret was that I was too young, green and such a novice player that I really didn't appreciate what I heard and saw until years later.

Ray is proof that decent humans can create, succeed and be rewarded with a long productive career, and can positively affect lives.


Russ