In March 1980, I took a trip to visit friends in Colorado.  Pat Sheeran and Joanie Howland in Cortez, Tom Simpson in Denver, and my long-time musical collaborator Sharon Archambeau (aka Shar, Sher) in Denver.  Shar was booked to open for Asleep at the Wheel in Vail, and she invited me to join her on the trip as well to accompany her on the piano at her show.  My … [Read more...]

Earl Haynes (1929-2011) was a jazz guitarist, an entertaining storyteller, and an all-around good-time chum to everyone he met.  I had the good fortune to become a close friend, and to play in several bands and combos with Earl through his last couple decades.  Earl Haynes enjoyed playing music most of all, but he was also quite fond of drinking Budweiser and swapping … [Read more...]

Late  in 2014, I had a dream that I called my friend Larry McCray on the phone.  Larry answered and told me he was in the middle of a rehearsal.  In my dream, Larry was singing a song..."I was born in Arkansas, feedin' hogs and bailin' straw.."  In my dream, I thought, "Damn, I wish I had written THAT song!"  I woke startled, jumped up and wrote the first draft lyric for … [Read more...]

https://youtu.be/9UH7qlqmmc0 <  <  <   I originally posted this story in spring of 2020.  Since that time, COVID has made a mess of everything, Melinda and I  have not have not returned to the Keys, and The Hurricane Grille has closed it's doors.  >  >  > This past winter my friend Moose Boles (Lou Reed Band, Greg Allman Band) had some NY gigs and … [Read more...]