One afternoon I was floating in the creek with Loretta, my rubber ducky pal who loves to take dips away from the tub… I was telling her about the end of an era. Jack’s Tracks Recording Studio in Nashville, TN, was shutting its doors. We drifted quietly together until I began to share some of my personal memories of Jack Clement and the JMI (Jack Music International) record days when Allen Reynolds bought me an old Martin bowI back mandolin and I taught myself to play open tuned while listening to Reynolds and Bob McDill pen some classic tunes. Jack and Allen even let me be the album cover director for JMI and introduce Don Williams to them, co-producing his first 3 chart records. The amazing history of the tracks continued after Allen purchased the building from Jack and went on to produce artists like The Memphis Boys, Crystal Gale, Kathy Mattea, Hal Ketchum, and Garth Brooks. Forerunner Music was formed in the mid 90”s with Jim Rooney, Mark Miller, and Terrel Tye, and the building quickly became one of the most successful publishing houses in Nashville. The creativity that happened within those walls remains awesome.

Besides the incredible music that emanated from the Tracks, there was also a sense of family and deep abiding friendship with those fortunate enough to become part of the atmosphere there. For all of its success, the welcome mat stayed firmly in place. One could always stop in and visit - no hype and no airs. It was my home away from home when in the Nashville town.

I reminisced as the sun climbed overhead and afternoon shadows grew longer. Loretta bumped against my tube and telepathically communicated, (since rubber ducks don’t talk) “Call your friend Mark Miller and see if he’ll help you cut some new tracks with those ol’ pickin’ buddies Eben Wood, Dave Pomeroy, Kenny Malone, and Russ Pahl!” So, that’s just what I did.

Well, that’s how my CD, “So Little Has Changed,” happened and ever since then, I consult Loretta on all important matters especially those about the music.  I think it’s her increduckble ability to float above the silly reasons we all make up for NOT doing what our hearts call out for, and her ducky way of supporting and encouraging us humans.  She’s grown fond of going to gigs now, and you just may have a chance to meet her the next time Eben and I are in your town.