From Bill Easley

Clairdee,

I just drove up to my hometown of Olean, NY (400 miles NW of New York City). I was reminded of my boyhood days in the mid 50s and early 60s. This small city of 20,000 people had a symphony orchestra, three big dance bands, and dozens of small combos that played a radius of 50 miles in neighboring towns. The hard working public needed soul soothing, that at the time could only be provided by live entertainment.

Many local people made their living or at least a part of it by playing music. Local 115 of the AF of M has long since disappeared. There is very little live entertainment back home any more.

As the song says," Things Ain't What They Use To Be." In Man's race toward the future, he often leaves some great things behind; great fun and joy.

Visiting home was nice. In order to remain a musician, I live near one of the music hubs. My work radius has increased from 50 miles to 25,000 miles which includes any place on earth that I may find my next gig. It probably will not be in Hackensack, New Jersey where I live, but as Fats (Waller) use to say, "One never knows, do one?"

Good luck on your research. Perhaps it will make someone turn off the TV and go see someone singing, playing or dancing live right around the corner.

Bill Easley
www.BillEasley.net