A Swimming Pool of Lemonade

        I went to visit Indie last night.  He is near the end.  I hate to see him that way, but as always he is unconcerned.
       “Bibey old boy, I saw a lot of hard times.  I appreciate you seeing me through.”
       “You always stuck by me too man.”
        “You know, we saw a lot [...]

Lonely Ain’t Allowed- the Bluegrass Way

        I just got in off  ’the road.’  How my friends do it on a regular basis is beyond me.  We didn’t have far to go at all, and we are tired.  Still, we had a fine time of it.
         John Hartford used to say bluegrass was America’s last small town.  Everyone knows everyone, and you don’t have to lock [...]

A Face Made for Radio (My Facebook Page)

        My agent has been after me forever to start a Facebook Page.  For a long time, I never got around to it.  “Awh, heck boss, my people know where to find me.”
        He persisted.  “Come on, Doc.  Are you gonna insist on being a Neanderthal forever?  You use new meds don’t you?”
        ”Well, yeah, but [...]

The Ten Year Rule

        After my last post a reader sent me a note they enjoyed the discussion on the path to expertise, so I thought I’d follow up on the subject.
        I believe in the ten year rule.  (No, this is not related to shifts in political power.)  The ten year rule refers to the idea that competence in [...]

An All Time Dumb Question (and the answer)

        There is one question no pharmaceutical rep should never ask me, at least if they want to get a second question.  It is this:
        “Doctor, how do you approach the patient with…”  fill in the blank; whatever clinical scenario you choose does not matter.
        Here would be the parallel for a musician.  Lets say you are [...]

Where to Find a Country Doc on a Sunday Night

        The short answer is in a country church.  If I am on call, I can’t leave Harvey County, but when I’m not I have started to stretch out a little.
        This past weekend I got a call from Darin Aldridge.  His dobro man had to be out of town, and he wondered if I’d play [...]

Mama’s Money and Jack Benny

        Years ago an elderly lady drove up to our ER in an old battered Ford Galaxie.  She got out and walked across the parking lot.  About half way to the entrance she collapsed.   Of course everyone put on a full court press.
        They cut the woman’s clothes off to shock her heart and bills of [...]

Doyle Dykes

        If you get a chance to see Doyle Dykes, please take my advice and go.  He is the best country finger style guitarist I have ever heard, and many say he is the best in the world.  (For all you folks in Australia Tommy Emmanuel is tough too.  He and Doyle are working on a CD together.)  
           As impressive as [...]

Dr. Danny Fulks, Bluegrass Professor

        Not long ago I came across a book I enjoyed.  It was written by a Dr. Danny Fulks.  He is a university professor who loves bluegrass, so I guess you are not surprised we were kindred spirits.  I have not met him, though I hope to one day, but I loved his book.  Not only [...]

Indie’s Struggles

        Poor Indie is not doing well.  He is back in Hospice now.  I hadn’t been by in a month, and I was shocked at his condition yesterday.  Bless his heart, all he wanted to know about was how I was doing.
        “Tommy, how’s life treating you?”
        “For goodness sake, Indie.  I’m fine.  How are you [...]