Hi So many of you have asked me if that is me on pp 50, 51 and 52 of Ralph Emery's new book, " The View From Nashville." I did not realize that there were so many country music fans out there in my genealogy world...... most of you know as a passionate hobby of mine that has become an obsession. Several of you have asked me to "let the list know if that is you." So, to those of you who belong to several of the lists that I also belong to, I apologize for the multiples and the non-genealogical subject matter of this message. Those of you who are not interested, please press delete now. The answer is, "yes," that is me. The full and accurate story is not told there, but at least Alan Jackson does not have amnesia like many artists develop after they become famous. It was me that Alan's wife, a stewardess then, gave the tape to while I was traveling with Johnny Paycheck on an airplane between Atlanta and Nashville. Between 1982 and 1986(the year I retired for 10 years and moved to Europe), I discovered and was the first producer of not only Alan Jackson, but Sawyer Brown, Collin Raye and the group Bandana. A heart attack in 1986 caused me to slow down and rethink my lifestyle. In those10 years three guys who used to work for me as independent contractors became presidents of major labels in Nashville and two others who used to work with me, one as a musician and another as a recording engineer, also became president's of Nashville major labels. All still have such positions today. I have recently been offered a similar position, but am trying to decide if I want to spend my music business time looking at sales charts in my office, or helping create music charts in the studio. Perhaps a combination of both would work. I am back at it now... trying to find another superstar or two, this time without all the carousing...and my heart is fine. Instead of working around the clock, unwilling to let go of the excitement being created, I now try to spread the same amount of work over a two day period. Instead of lifting a cool one, two or three during my off time, I now immediately head for the computer to check my messages from all of you. Instead of chasing skirts, I am now chasing roots. Haven't been able to get rid of my trademark pipe, however. Still smoking that pipe from early morning till late at night and taking all kinds of vitamins and minerals to try to minimize the damage caused by this terrible habit. Seems to be working, however, as the very latest tests with the very latest methods and equipment Vanderbilt has to offer shows no new problems and even a reduction in old problem areas. Hope this satisfies your curiosity about the book and what I do. For those of you who do not appreciate this message being on your genealogy list, you are right, and you should have hit the delete button by now. Any flames to me personally, please. Now all of you, one, two, three, delete. Still here? Thank all of you so much!!!!!, not just for reading this message or being curious about the new Ralph Emery book, but for assisting me in my genealogical pursuits. So many of you have been so generous with your time and sources to help me in my pursuit of my roots and attempts to learn as much as possible about the life and times of each generation. I really appreciate it. Happy Hunting! Stan