It was 70 years tonight that I played my first paid piano job, at the base commander's house at Ladd AFB in Fairbanks, Alaska. I was 11 the following September.

To celebrate, I'm playing a dinner job at a local country club. I'll be using a 1952 ES 295 (Scotty Moore) guitar and the dark brown covered Wurlitzer. I got this one in 1958, when "What'd I Say?" was on the charts. The amplifier will be a 59 Bassman 4"x 10".

Old age and a series of illnesses (A Fib, gout, meniscus clean-up, water off the heart and lots more) have taken a toll. I'm still doing 4 sound scores for large industrials a month, playing 8 week-end nights and lots of smaller parties. At the end of this year, I'm cutting back to 8 week-end nights and the sound scores. Anything else will be for very special long-time friends.

I'm very tired, but so glad I had the musical experiences I've had. A big pert of that enjoyment has been knowing folks like you.

Best personal regards to all,


The Captain

Captain

I am absolutely astonished at the accomplishments you have attained through these many years, but more that you are still going in spite of advanced age and medical issues. It goes without saying that this forum has held you in esteem for a long time, saying nothing of your repeat large clients.

I salute you.

Bernie

Hi Russ.

I'm not sure what words to put to it, but I'm impressed by your story.
Also I'm honoured and thankful for the oportunity to learn a lot from you and many other great people here at the SZ community during all those years!

Keep on rockin' Cpt. Russ! 🕺

All the best! 👍🌞

// GJ

WOW! Shows you what old age can do. It was 70, not 80 years on the anniversary yesterday of my first paid job.

Because of medical issues in he last few years, I had a total of 14 weeks off from playing at least 4 nights a week in those years.

And I have participated in over 1,000 recordings of mostly industrial/commercial music scores.

Life has been good, and music is at the top of the list.

Be well, all.


R.

Wow, so you got a paid piano gig at age 10 1/2! That's hustle!! Congratulations on a brilliant career and thank you for your contributions to this Forum!!

“I don’t know but I been told, you never slow down, you never grow old”

Tom Petty…

That’s a great CV, Russ. Living the dream.

Man am I getting old!. It was 70, not 60 years last week on my "pickin n grinnin" anniversary.

But, hey, what's an extra 10 years or so?

Russ(I Think) Lay