Yes, you are lucky, Chas. I've had experience with some fine players who started out okay, and slipped off the wagon...some slowly, some abruptly...I was there myself one time.

Also, where I live, the pool to pick from is very small, as I'm in a very small town...we don't even have a town drunk...they take turns.

I could move to the big city, and perhaps have more band mates to choose from, but I like living in a small town.

I am lucky to have some buds to jam with, but they aren't into gigging.

Ian