A Day at the Record Show

Thursday, spoke with Ken P., got in touch with Gerald Wilson, Bob Sonnenblich in Canada and Brother Woodman. All very productive.

Friday, got a massage from Marti, just the ticket. According to her, I have a great smooth & well defined back. Glad to know it.

Today, I went to the O.C. Record Show, the first one I've been to in several months. Last month, Dec. 2005 wasn't held, for one reason or the next, I didn't go to Nov., so I was well overdue.

Got there at about 8 a.m., and already things were buzzing. I said hello to a couple of record collecting (r.c.) friends, including a guy whose name I don't know, but who always has some interesting 45s and cheap. I found one by Tony Middleton. Went to see Mark Stuckey and, right away, found out I was way too late for a good bunch of rockabilly 45s that had already been snapped up by Bob, Mark and Dennis. Mark told me that a rockabilly collector had died of a drug OD, slicked back hair, tatted up, vaguely recalled him. Saw another Dennis, my neighbor, then walked the aisles. Bought a great looking Clara Ward on Duke 45 from Kamuu Dahood and moved on. Then spoke with Ray Peavy about a possible TV show he's been asked to help create...seems like a super lucrative deal.

Then spoke with J.T., saw what he was buying, spoke to him about a record shop that had opened in his Grant's Pass area. Found 11 45s at Mark's table for $5. Talked with Bay Warren, who seemed depressed - Parkinson's - he later covered his 45s, he'd gotten so little action.

That's when Jim Cooperider walked by and I handed him some 45s that Don Haley had asked me to have him fix...which he'll do, in time for the next show, I trust. Then down the aisle to bug some others.

Spoke with Bob, who later showed me his rockers, okay, but not great stuff. Mark had gotten 2 Tony Casanovas that were interesting, very much like Ritchie Valens. Spoke with Dennis Leonis, who had also taken his share and later Dennis shared with me info about Victor & Vistas he'd gotten off an almost impossible-to-read autographed white 45, great info!!

While speaking with Mike Saito, Cooperider comes by to show us some super-rare 78s that J.T. had passed on to him as payment for straightening some 45s. 4 Jacks on Allen and others, for heavens sakes. Very impressive. Also impressive was that we were the last of the Westdale pre-Capitol swap meet crew left at the show...or so it seems.

Ran into Tony D'Amico, went upstairs and spoke with the guy who had the rocking 45s, nice guy, there with Bob Caro, Latino jazz/r&b player and expert. He filled me in on Rule Garcia, about whom about zip is known - he knows!!! Saw Goodale, Robbie R. & Nurse Cheril, then Steve Bruner comandered me to draw a name, which I did: Ray Peavy, geez Louise! later Robert Miller & Marti, his g-friend, hanging out with Jim.

Left about about noon. Spoke with Canadian Bob Sonnenblich by phone that P.M. Watched TV the rest of the time.