----- Original Message -----

From: Bud
To: 20dollarbill@rorysfriends.de
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 4:26 PM
Subject: Ole Man River's 1979

Hello my German Rory friends,
I'm happy that you enjoyed my memories of Rory's New Orleans concert, and would love to share it with other fans. It was a small club holding only about 200-300 people but the accoustics and atmosphere ( both casual
and intimate) were perfect. Rory was backed by Ted Mckenna who had just replaced Rod D'Ath on drums, and of course Gerry Mc Avoy on bass. Lou Martin didn't make this gig but I hardly noticed his absence. Rory was trying to promote his " Top Priority " album, and as you know most of his die-hard fans were screaming for songs from the
albums, Blue Print, Against The Grain, Tatoo, Live Irish Tour, etc. I was already lit when I got there and Rory was such a consumate showman and humanitarian, he did every song we asked him, we were about 10 feet away from him standing up with other frenzied New Orleans fanatics. The coolest part, as I mentioned earlier was while he
was doing "Souped Up Ford" and he reached out for my beer, which I handed to him, and he never missed a beat, chugging it down with the other hand. The people next to me went nuts and the party went on. Rory made a lot of friends that night !!!

Remember, As a crow flies, I ain't so far from you...

Bud

----- Original Message -----
From: Bud
To: 20dollarbill@rorysfriends.de
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 8:16 PM
Subject: Ole Man River's 1979

Good afternoon my Rory fans across the pond....I'll see if I can get my daughter to send a photo of mine, because unless I send it by mail ( I'm old school and not a tech geek), I wouldn't know how to send electronically. I guess I'm still lost in the 70's with Rory.I am a big rock/blues fan. I always hate to stereotype music, as you know Rory played a huge variety of genres and that's what I most admired was his range from blues,jazz, rock, folk, gaelic, country, etc. He never felt limitations and refused to conform to commercial arrangements. Which artist has ever turned down the Rolling Stones and multi-million $ contracts to remain true to himself and his art ? As you probably know, he was deeply admired by some of his own heroes and mentors like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, etc.
As a slide guitar player, he was faster and more creative than Elmore James, Clapton, Buddy Guy, etc.Here in the U.S.we hear too much George Thorogood and Clapton crap. Other than Rory, I like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Elmore James, and Alvin Lee. .... more on Rory , a bit later, brothers and sisters..... BTW..................

" Have you ever woke up with those bullfrogs on your mind?"

Bud

Thank´s a million for this nice Story, Bud!!!
Yours, 20$Bill and Sabine