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In reply to the discussion: What will be your first post when you hear than the Con is leaving the White House [View all]DFW
(54,055 posts)My mom majored in Classical music in college, encouraged me to take piano lessons early, didn't object when the sixties came along, and I took up guitar and bass, and chuckled when I entered college and joined the balalaika orchestra. My sister is a professional opera singer (mezzo).
When I was 19, my brother got me Leo Kottke's "Armadillo" album, and it was like a new world had been revealed to me. From that day on, the 12 string guitar was my instrument, and I even sought out the legendary Serbian master builder, Boo Podunavac, and had him make me several guitars over the years. Although I played bass and keyboards with various rock groups until then, after 1971, I only performed solo on the 12 string guitar. I even got to play in front of Bill Clinton once! I also once had the honor of doing a 45 minute set of Russian songs with Theodore Bikel (at HIS invitation!), so I have had a few highlights along the way, it's true.