Great idea, Lucky. I regret the missed time with my family...all the years of working days, playing nights, freelancing and going to school. That's time you can never regain. Luckily, my kids are all in Lexington and I see them every other day or so.

I regret never being brave enough (or good enough, I suspect) to make a full-time commitment to music. I just didn't have the balls to commit to one thing and suspect I've done lots of different things in a half-assed way.

I sometimes regret being such a "hardliner" concerning jazz. I'm so close to it that any other type of music seems like a sad waste of time. Conversely, I wish I had a greater appreciation/tolerance for entertainers. A great entertainer who is a mediocre musician generally needs to practice or give up, in my opinion. Usually, they just piss me off.

I appreciate my association with several people....Ray Brown, Tommy Johnston, my old music partner/teacher, Steve Allen, Pearl Bailey, Bob Bostrom, my mentor at the University of Kentucky and Dr. Gragg, my father-in-law and life-long best friend.

I appreciate the days we live in...exciting from a technology standpoint. That technology has impacted graphics, film and music, but only makes it clearer that technology is not enough...it takes talent to excel.

I appreciate being able to provide for my family and help others. I've been very lucky and sharing that luck is now a priority in my life.

I appreciate you folks. "Warts" and all, this is a really neat place that Nigel has created.

And, I wish that in 2009, and beyond, we'd all appreciate and be nicer to others.


Great post, Lucky. Really appropriate at the end of the year.


The best to everyone in 2009...


Russ