Deane, yes, you have been blessed in many ways ... my mom was my musical influence also, although not nearly to the same extent ... but she did ingrain in me the appreciation of all genres of music ...

At 16 years of age I was booked for a party with a friend of mine - both on accordion - we told the client that we were not in the union, but she booked us any way ... sure enough the union delegate came in and said if we didn't stop playing he was going to pull all the wait staff, bartenders and two bands that were playing in other rooms out ... the client paid us for the gig, and had us stay for the dinner, so we made out ok ...

Best of luck to you ...