Ray Abshire hosted an advanced accordion class in southern Wisconsin today and I was fortunate enough to attend...

While Ray spent some time analyzing the techniques of all in attendance, and offered considerable wisdom to tweak things, the real joy of the class was listening to him reminisce...

Ray's easygoing banter and steel-trap memory told us of names and places few of us will ever get to experience...couple that with his superb playing...what a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon...

Thanks, Ray...

I won't have the chance to go to Balfa Camp (or any others) this year. But I do occasionally go home to Lafayette.

Do you know which (if any) jam sessions Mr. Abshire frequents in Lafayette? Blue Moon? Vermilionville?

JtO

Jude the Obscure...(love the handle )...I'm sorry I don't know about any of Ray's informal plans...I do check his website from time-to-time to see if he's going to be near wherever I am...

Anyone who knows me would readily admit that I'm something of a purposeful oddball.

And the literary reference fits in with my day job.

Plus, Jude Moreau is the better-known Jude. I'm the unknown one.

Glad you like the handle.

JtO

Ray frequents Blue Moon pretty regular.