As a musician, I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some remarkable projects throughout my career. One that holds a special place in my heart is the Academy Award-winning song The Best That You Can Do (Theme from Arthur), written by Burt Bacharach, with Christopher Cross.

Garner suggested we all eat together. Elaine’s pushed several tables together. I remember making a beeline to sit next to Lauren Bacall.

One Saturday afternoon, I got a phone call at 2:30. The agent on the other end asked me, “Hey, can you play for Count Basie tonight? He’s got the flu, and I need a sub for him!”

At first, I was taken aback. Me? Sub for Count Basie?!

It was 20 years ago this year that I wrote the music for a documentary celebrating the life and times of Lady Bird Johnson, FLOTUS, First Lady of the United States.

This really gave me firsthand experience of what we all hear about these days—being able to live “off the grid” in places like Marfa, TX or Montana and still stay connected to the world. Suddenly, I was in the mix, connected to Hollywood, all from my little corner of Texas.

"Keep it goin'!"

I had been playing when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see Dizzy Gillespie, the legendary jazz trumpet and father of bebop jazz. He said "That sounds great, kid!" and I couldn't believe my eyes!

The Jazz Journalists Association just used my National Endowment for the Arts research on Dan Morgenstern in their tribute to Dan...

...I knew something was wrong because…well, what was it? Oh, OK, he was playing guitar backwards!! Yea, it was Jimi Hendrix!