It was when i was living/working with the band Tabula Rasa in New Orleans that they turned me onto David Crosby's solo album, 'If i could only remember my name..' It was a life changing experience.

I don't know exactly how to describe it except to say that it remains one of the few albums to this day in which i listen to all songs top to bottom... TWICE, before i put it away. I've learned a couple of the songs off of it and played them live... and can mark some very special times in which this album was a soundtrack to everything that was going on around me.

When i heard that David's band CPR was playing House of Blues-NO.. i didn't hesitate to go to the soundcheck. I wasn't working the show and truth be told i wasn't even working for HOB at the time. I was working my gig doind House sound with the Funky Meters and George Porter Jr.

My good friend and fellow engineer Joe Francois was working the gig. Joe had grown up with the Meters and was there engineer long before i came around. Joe and I have logged alot of time on the road together with both the Funky Meters and Runnin Pardners (GPjr's band), so i used my band tags (all access passes) to get into the stage door with no trouble. I hung out and talked with Joe while the stage was being set.

David was there, playing abit of piano at the time. When the moment came and it looked right, i went to him (without the album... i didn't want to come off heavy) and introduced myself. I told him he's been a big influence to me as a musician and a songwriter.. told him i that while i play, i currently work for the Funky Meters and George.. blah blah, it would mean a great deal to me if he would sign my copy of 'if i could only remember my name'.

He paused for a minute, a palpable silence.. then he spoke. "Well, you've got good taste in bands to work for" he said. And with that he ushered me over to the side of stage where one of the guitar techs was stringing up the guitars. He got a sharpie off of the guy and took my album from me.

Now this is the part i will never EVER forget. Just before he put the pen to the cover... he suddenly looked up at me and gave me a stare that defines the phrase '..he gave my the hairy eyeball!' ... i mean he looked so deep into me, it frightened me. My instincts told me to drop the eye contact... but then a voice from seemingly nowhere told me... DO NOT!! drop eye contact with this man, stare right back into him. ..'.. go into the light!" So i summoned up some unknown inner strength and I stared right back at him. Time seemed to just go on forever...

i've been told by my brother that this was a real "soul-check".. Maybe.. maybe. It was incredibly surreal. We stared into each others eyes for what seemed like forever and then he broke the contact and happily signed my album. I left the HOB that afternoon in a daze. I had met one of my all-time favorites and he gave me more than just a introduction/autograph... he touched me deep down inside....