Dear Tom;

I know that in the past I have made reference to your influence on my becoming a musician but I feel the need to let you know, once again, what that has meant to me.

When you first came to visit our family in California I was a mere nine year-old boy in a household that was sometimes filled with great anger and some fights that are now legendary (though those involved in the fights are long gone from this world). I will never forget the feeling I had when you pulled out your banjo and sang a few Old-Time tunes for us. It was peaceful and freeing and wonderful and joyous all that that same time.

I had no idea that what you were playing was called a claw-hammer style and quite frankly that didn’t matter. You could have played it with an actual ball peen hammer or a drill press and I still would have been amazed. I loved it and that was all that counted. I was enthralled at your playing and more importantly the joy you shared with us through your banjo. You were a happy man. You didn’t fight with anyone. You told stories that made me laugh.

I believe at that moment I was a convert. Bluegrass and Old-Time music filled my days for years to come. I was literally the only kid I knew who was into that music but I just couldn’t help it. I loved it. I wanted to be like you, a happy man who told stories that made folks laugh. Well, as it turned out I started begging my mom for a banjo and it took most of two years to convince her that I really wanted one. Once I had that banjo and an instructor lined up, I never looked back.

Then I remember being fifteen years old and finding out that some people actually play music for a living! It was at that moment I knew what I was going to do. I had no plan. No one to instruct me as to how to make this happen. But I was given the gift of desire. I just wanted it so badly that I was going to make it happen. As luck would have it, I made it happen with the help of many, many folks through the years. I guess what they say is true, that no one is really self-made. We all have folks that have helped us out along the way.

Well Tom, I’ve had an amazing life because of music and in turn, because of you. I’ve traveled around the world. Played in the most beautiful halls. Worked with some very famous artists and some who were not so famous. I give the credit to you because you came with your banjo and played it for a little snot-nosed kid whose sister you wanted to marry. You married her and became the best brother-in-law I could have imagined. But first you played your banjo.

Thanks Tom,

Pete