Thanks, folks. I was just giving myself a kick in the pants for being the jerk I can be, doing things the way I like, and bitching about the inevitable result...chasing off people...some types of people (read that: NORMAL people).

I have been supremely lucky in my life. And I willingly admit I have made some compromises. As little as I like country music, I have spent years in the past playing it. And, at the time, as a back-up player, I kind of enjoyed the whole experience as more entertainment than music.

Thing is, I'm not an entertainer, so I have figured out how to make a good living in the music field. Everything is in place....money...jazz...recognition.

The only thing missing are ....LISTENERS!

OH well, you can't have everything.

Russ

BTW, Tony's reference to the fragile nature of life came home to me...big time...this week-end.

Last Monday, all during a 14 hour studio session, I had a severe pain in my left side. Finally, I had my physician work me in Thursday afternoon, convinced I had a kidney stone. He told me to watch it and call the next day.

On Friday, I woke up with my eyelids stuck together. My eyes were so red I looked like a rabbit.

After a few hours, I called the Dr., who sent me to the emergency room.

I have acute diverticulitis and acute conjunctivitis, AT THE SAME TIME!

Talk about pain!

Ya never know!


Russ

Just think how "rich" we are ...when we enjoy good health..

You got that right, Fran. I've been blessed in that regard. Taking care of oneself is important - as my dad used to say, "look after your body, you only get one." But luck of the draw is right up there. Rock til' ya drop, and pray that doesn't come too soon.

Bad news about your health, Russ. Both maladies can be extremely dangerous if not properly treated. Please, take care of your health and don't worry too much about the music biz.

Stay healthy old friend,

Gary

Yeah Russ, I had surgery for an abdominal aneurism this past Friday and I can tell it is getting harder and harder to bounce back from these things. I was very lucky to have found out about it a few years back and was having it monitored every six months, the check this time it had changed and reach the point to do something and it was fixed with a stent like device only much larger. Have a lot of groin pain with those incisions, but I came home the very next morning and you can beat just an over night stay instead of doing a week at least the old way.

Bill G

Hi Russ,
Nothing "cute" about either of those complaints. (I'll wait for someone else to mention Angina).
Keep well mate, and avoid any more birthdays.
Ray
PS welcome back Tony, your humour has been sadly missed !!

Get well soon. Sorry to hear about your double dose of trouble. I'm sure your talents are being missed by your regulars.

Bill G-

Very wise. I lost an uncle to the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, and and aunt (his sister) to one while attempting a repair in surgery..everybody should keep a lookout.

Just wanted to wish you the best, Russ. Hope things go well.

Russ, several years ago I had acute diverticulitis, and being rather busy looking after my Uncle Jim (who had dementia), I put it and the symptoms (pain) on the back burner. It developed into an abscess about the size of a grapefruit, and due to a perforation, I ended up with peritonitis. To make a long story short, I ended up requiring emergency surgery, and after removing 18 inches of my bowel, a huge amount of antibiotics, and three blood transfusions, I managed to pull through okay. I was in my early sixties at the time, and otherwise, very healthy...I was lucky!

My point is...this condition (diverticulitis) can be life-threatening if not looked after, so be very careful.

We don't want to lose you at such a young age.

Ian