Transcript for the Piece Audio version of He Was As Good As The Kingston Trio

When I was 15 I got $2 or so for playing for dances. I’ve played jazz on Bourbon Street and on the west coast. I’ve told stories and played music on the radio for my friends for 32 years. I mention this so you’ll know that I know it’s nice to have someone say, “Hey, humble --- I like what you are trying to do.” --- Which is why I go out of my way to say nice things to any kind of artist or entertainer. If I can’t look them in the eye and say something good, I don’t say anything. The other day I was at an outdoor cookout not far from two dozen cows where entertainment was provided by a long-haired, guitar-playing bearded young man who sang songs. I didn’t know any of the songs, but my wife Marsha, who was born in 1950, said she knew all of them. When he put down his guitar and walked over to get a turkey burger, I approached him and said, “I think you’re every bit as good as the Kingston Trio.” He thanked me and we parted with smiles. It doesn’t hurt to be nice to people. And I did think he was every bit as good as the Kingston Trio. I spent most of the evening in a far corner of the field with the cows where I didn’t have to listen to him.