I asked John about he and his wife, Marie's record label, Small-Dog-a Barkin records which has a brand new release by Hank Cochran and Billy Don Burnes called "Desperate Men".

I feel that our label has got about the most eclectic roster in Nashville with myself, Mark Howard, Texas Shorty, Hank Cochran, and Billy Don Burnes. We're pleased with the "Desperate Men" album. It seems to be getting considerable radio airplay, and so far, good reviews.

I recently found a copy of "Nashville Airplane" by Flatt and Scruggs in a used record store. The album features covers of Bob Dylan and several other great writers of the 60's, including John's "Gentle On My Mind." I asked him what it felt like when Flatt and Scruggs recorded his song.

Oh, it meant a tremendous amount to me. To have my favorite band record my song was just a great honor. Hearing Earl Scruggs play the banjo was the main reason that I got into music. To have him play my song was great.

John spends a lot of his time researching the legendary fiddle player, Blind Ed Haley. I asked him how the Ed Haley projects are going.

We're really working hard on the second draft of the Ed Haley book which will be as much as we know of his life. We're almost done mastering the three CD set for Rounder that will contain original recordings that Ed Haley made on acetate records in his home. Ed was untrusting of commercial record companies, so he never recorded professionally, but he made many albums to preserve his heritage. I'm working real hard on the notes for the fiddle tunes. More things keep turning up.

What are your thoughts on the tanker disaster in the New Orleans harbor?

It was a terrible incident. It's just lucky that it wasn't any worse than it was. I've eaten at that place. There's a nice restaurant there. I sat in there and ate dinner and watched the Natchez come in and go out. Boy, what a beautiful site. I knew the harbor pilot on the tanker, he had been on the Delta Queen. It seems that he was calling commands to a Chinese crew, but nobody else spoke English. Due to the lack of communication, he couldn't maintain control of the disabled ship. I'm just glad nobody was killed.

So what do you have planned for the coming weeks?

Mostly we're just getting ready for Christmas. Marie and I have a truce this year. We aren't getting each other anything. Everything is just going to be for the grand kids, Dustin and Sara.

Over the Christmas holiday, I will celebrate my 59th birthday, and Marie and I will celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. I'm looking forward to doing some picking with friends and enjoying time with the kids.

So send me lots of mail!

December 1996
October 1996 notes

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