As Woody the French Horn player shared his story of how after 30 years of not playing, he picked up his horn, re-learned how to play, and after a few months was told that he was "ready" by Bob the director, I remembered a similar story of mine from some years ago. I had been playing bass maybe a year or two and only in our church worship band. Dick Cooper, our church custodian, had a little jazz combo that was going to do a few numbers in a concert at the church. They needed someone to play bass and asked me to do it. It was quite a thrill for me to be considered and I diligently studied my parts so that I would not embarrass myself or Dick. While I have always enjoyed jazz, I had never played jazz bass and was certain that this concert would not qualify me as a jazz bassist, but it would be a fun experience. The concert went well and I felt good about it. Some weeks after the concert Dick called me again. This time it was for a wedding reception... a paying gig! What?! He sent me some jazz music education materials to study, I prepared myself as best as possible and fearfully showed up for the gig. I played timidly trying to stay out of trouble. Several songs into the set Dick came over and said, "You're doing fine. Turn up!" That was the day I became a bass player!
For me, Dick Cooper is the footnote at the bottom of that page of my life story. He validated me as a "young" musician (even though I was a middle age man) and gave me permission to proceed, expand, grow, and pursue my dream. There are others who have done similar things for me, but until yesterday, I had completely forgotten about Dick and the important part he played.
Now, a decade or so later, Dick's band leader duties have been passed down to his son Barry who still calls me to play jazz occasionally and I love doing it. I am not so much a musician as technician...not so much an artist as a hobbiest. But there is a very real possibility I'd be none of these things if it had not been for Dick opening the door for me.
I wonder...will I ever be a footnote at the bottom of someone's story?
Footnote - "A footnote at the bottom of each other's stories" comes from the November 21 reading in Listening to Your Life by Frederick Buechner.
