"Can I play your piano?"

It was December 1986, and I was a student at Pan American University in Edinburg Texas and a member of the University choir. We had just had our Christmas concert, and a group of us went to this cool little bar, JT's, that had just opened in McAllen. We were at the bar drinking away like typical college students, when I noticed the GRAND PIANO at the corner of the room. I asked the manager If I could tickle the ivories a bit, and he seemed pleased, and said, "go right ahead!" I played a few tunes and got the bar singing and dancing! The manager came to me with the SHEET MUSIC to "New,York New,York" and requested that I play it! I said, "Sure!" and busted out playing the song as everyone at the bar got off their seats and danced. I turned to the LAST page of the music, and to my freakin' surprise, the MUSIC had been WHITED OUT! However, I kinda new the song anyway, and faked it pretty good. The manager, not knowing of my prior familiararity to the tune, was astonished as to how well I survived his little practical joke! He immediately approached me, and hired me as his HAPPY HOUR piano player. Thus began my SOLO career! I played at JT's for seven years. I would periodically bring in other musicians when I played on weekends. This pic features me playing the saxophone, which I would break out when I had a backing band. I bet you didn't know I played the sax as well, YAY! Actually, it's been years since I've played my sexyphone:) Also in this pic is MIke Gomez on Bass, Tony Martinez on drums, and The Manager who hired me, John Simon, playing his kazoo!! Thank you to Elvia Rios, from my home town McAllen, who sent me this pics and brought back some wonderful memories. I love my life! Love, jd

p.s. comment if you think I should go back to the 80's MULLET! :)