[Ericwest53]

Ohmigosh...

The Village Barn was my evening haunt when at AAFB. Pretty much every nite on anf off for the four years I was there. It's gone of course..

I talked to Don West ( my stage namesake) before he too passed, or knew that he would a couple years ago. He was in
The "Nashville Sound" with Jimmy Grove. He also told me of Fuzzy's passing, and that Smokey Mack was not in good shape.

When somebody tells me that a particular "Tele sound" is really "good" I think of Jimmy and smile As I was to go on later and learn, I suppose some of his riffs and runs were not up to the newest Brent Mason of Brad P things but man, THAT was THE 'telecaster' sound. Tubular with a high edge that you could almost see coming out the amp. They'd play "Memphis", Don W, would launch into a "solo from mars", and Jimmy would be right there playing so you'd see sparks.. Jimmy played as you know many venues and did "retro" stuff too up in District Heights, but I never saw him there..

Fuzzy had the voice of voices, playing bass and singing "Cry" "Half a Man" "Blue Diamond" and a hundred others still fresh in my 52 year old mind. Herby Jones played bass with them, and I"m sure he's gone too....

Too at the time, I'd go see "The String Dusters" with Sid Hudson on tele, my at the time PS teacher Bud Charleton on Steel, Roy Self on Bass with another astounding voice.

Alas, things were changing for music, and us all, though my memory of it never will.

Thanks for jogging it.

:)

EJL