This thread is prompted partially by reading Don’s and Gary’s health reports.

This morning, I had breakfast with one of my high school band mates. He is a retired MD. We had a rock band back in 1966-67...high school. There were six of us. One recently died of cancer age 66 and one is now paralyzed. Three of us enjoy relatively good health.

Dave, my band mate and friend is terminally ill with cancer. However, as he told me this morning, “I’m going to play music right up to the end”. He’s still trying to play guitar with his 60’s rock band.

I asked Dave if he thought I was a bit nuts to buy new equipment to gig with at my age. He told me, it’s a good way to tell yourself and the world...”I’m not dead yet”. 😊

So, I think I’ll do the same..play music right up to the end.

😊

Your never too old to play and enjoy music...carry on!

A long-time friend, Jay Flippin, the director of music at Morehead State University played his last two jobs the week he died of cancer.

We did thousands of sessions together. He played with national touring acts, was the music director of the local philharmonic, directed a big church music program and had an active training/performing program at the school which consisted of anything from a single to a 16 piece orchestra.

He lived and died as he wished and enriched thousands of lives in the process.

At 73, I have no plans to quit or slow down. I play 100 hours a month in the public (a country club), 90 hours in sessions, 4 two week trips overseas annually, and one nighters with the philharmonic (several, actually)and a big band.

Sessions for my own business films sort of put my "brand" on them.

That's what keeps me going.

Russ