First thanks to everyone who responded to my post. It is hard to throw away something that has been part of my life for nearly 75 years. There is a back story here. When world war II ended I was still only 5 years old. During that time and the following 5 years my mother was the director of the USO in Belleville, Illinois - the home of Scott Field Air Force Base. During that time I got to see and hear the countries most famous singers and bands when they played at the Belleville USO. I often sat on the stage with them. You see, in the 1930's my mother and father travelled with one of the top vaudeville troops. They played next to Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor, and many others from that time. Because of their relationship with these people they would come to the Belleville USO and stayed at our house on the visit. Of course I was to young to understand what all this meant and who these people were. Later my mother provided me with the best of teachers for piano and voice until I gradated from high school.
That was my intro to professional music. At age 12 I got to go to the Hollywood Canteen with my Mother. They had a special weekend for all the USO directors. By this time I knew who was who and all I can say is wow! At age 14 I started playing live gigs playing piano and singing at small dinner places until the Musicians Union in St. Louis raised a fuss because I was not a member. I bet some here remember the days when the Musicians union ran everything. But all turned out ok.

Today is Mothers Day and I could not pass it by without remembering how much she, and my father, did to provide me with a musical upbringing. Every time I play certain songs from the 30's and 40's my mind wonders back to some very special memories of my Mother and how much I appreciate all she, and my father, did to make sure my life would be a good one.


Wow - sorry for the vent. Again I appreciate the responses to my post.

Deane