Gary showed a lot of class in a recent post when he commented that he may not be the hottest keyboard player around.

But that doesn't keep him from being "one of the hardest working men in show business".

It takes a man to realize where he is in life and make the best of it.

As an older member here, he is certainly one of the busiest, and still has time to help people out with the technical end of things.

The ability to entertain is where Gary shines. I'm probably a better player, but not 1/10th the entertainer.

The lesson for all of use here is to realize where we are and spend our lives "working on it".

"Man, I wish I had a GREAT BIG BOAT"!

Be well, Gary. Thanks for being here.


Russ

I enjoy your posts Russ -- most are just right on.

John C.

Gary is an awesome fellow! He helped me out so many times with tech advice, styles, and tips about this crazy business. He is my inspiration. I hope I have a much enthusiasm for life and music as Gary does when (or if) I reach his age.

Great post, Russ...and spot on!

Ian

Ditto....Gary rocks !!

Gary

Gary's personality and style, should be what every person strives for.

Musician or not !!!!

Proud to call him a friend....


Ron

Florida loves him...From the Treasure Coast to the Keys.
Eddie

Thanks for the complements everyone. I just returned from cruising the Chesapeake Bay's upper reaches on my sailboat for the past four days with my wife. She wasn't sure she could physically handle the trip, but she came through with flying colors.

Of course, the secret to making this trip successful was to cook her breakfast every morning, fix her drinks, cook supper every night, and find neat anchorages where we were out of the weather and comfortable. Those starlit nights were just wonderful while sitting in the boat's cockpit and sipping our favorite beverages. The boat is pretty comfortable, and I made it a bit more comfortable for her by purchasing a special, air mattress that fit perfectly in the dinette bunk area. Yep, I even made her bed for her every night of the trip.

The sailing was great, the weather couldn't have been any better, and I have another open slot next weekend, so I hope to have a repeat performance. After that, though, the schedule is booked solid through the end of the year. Some days you wonder how much longer you can last, but this is something none of us ever really know - which is somewhat scary. We had the opportunity to meet up with my son and his new girlfriend, who is a drop-dead, gorgeous lady who is a professor in a local university. She is originally from England, has a charming British accent, and looks like she in only in her 20s, though she is much older. When she watched me scamper up to the main deck and hoist the boat's main sail, she said "Wow! You are incredibly agile and I was amazed at how easily you hauled up that immense sail." Love those kind of complements from relatively young gals. Later that day I had her sailing the boat while I prepared some snacks in the galley below decks.

Russ, the boat's really not that big, but it is comfortable and you are always welcome aboard anytime you are in this part of the world. And, I sincerely wish to thank you for initiating this thread in my behalf.

Thanks again,

Gary (The old sailor)

Gary, the only boating I have ever enjoyed is sailing, and "landlocked" Kentucky is about the worst place in the world for it. There's Cave run Lake, a long, very narrow piece of water an hour away that is tree lined on both shores...that's about it.

I enjoyed myself when my dad was stationed in Maine, Michigan, close to the great lakes, Mississippi, Ocean Springs/Biloxi. A friend of my dad's would take me sailing in Mississippi, and I always wanted my own boat.

Won't happen in Kentucky, but am crazy about the state for many other reasons.

And no need to thank me for simply saying the obvious.

Be well,


Russ

Probably unlikely, but do you ever venture northwards, Gary? I imagine the Bay of Fundy tides would be a challenge - if challenge is on your list, that is.

I was there when I was a kid in the U.S. Navy. That would be too much of a challenge for this old man. I watched those massive tide ripping through the creeks and figured that most vessels couldn't handle them without a whole lot of horsepower. I did, however, seriously consider sailing north to visit an old friend at Mystic Seaport, which would be a neat trip. Unfortunately, my wife says she would rather drive there. I've driven in the northeastern U.S. traffic when I worked for The Fisherman Magazine and it was horrendous at best. To me, sailing seems like a much better option, but it's going to take a lot of convincing to prove that to my wife.

Cheers,

Gary

Thanks, Gary. I'm a landlocked lubber so I wouldn't know a thing about sailing. The wife and I visited Hopewell Rocks (a well known vantage point for Fundy tides) and it was just awesome.

Cap,

What you said is totally true. Gary is a great entertainer and one swell guy. I watched him perform and was treated to dinner at his house. I hope he sails that boat to Michigan so I can return the hospitality.

The amazing thing is this forum is full of great people, DNJ, Fran, Don, Diki, Eddie, Uncle Dave, Bill, Nigel and even Boo. There so many more, our international friends, Dreamer, John, Freddy, Roger, Ian and more. If I left anyone out sorry but these are the names that come to mind.

Cap, I also include you and one of these days I'll visit my cousin in Lexington.

Tom

Thanx Tom, let me know when you in the area we'll do dinner or breakfast again together...

Tom, I enjoyed meeting your family a few years ago, and would love to have you visit.

I'm traveling a lot overseas now, so,hopefully, you'll be in Lexington when I am and can visit a gig.

Russ

Tom it's been quite a few years since we met at Bebop's arranger get together in San Jose. If you are ever in Southern California you are always welcome to come and visit and stay here with us in Ventura on the coast. I'd love to catch up with you again.

Tom, you and Pat are always welcome back to S. Florida. I've arranged a deal with Cracker Barrel to let you stay in a couple of their rockers on the porch....if you don't mind the country music on their PA.

Eddie