I just heard the news about Doug Dillard passing away. It saddens my heart as I have wonderful memories of the times I spent with Doug. I will never forget the first time I met the Dillards. Nov 22, 1963 at the Univ. of Okla. Same day President Kennedy was killed. The Dillards changed my life from that day, especially Doug. I remember him asking me if I could play old time fiddle tunes and that was about all I could play back then. I can still remember the first tune I played with them as we jammed after their performance and that was Hamilton Co. Breakdown. I had never played with a band like that before and I felt like I was floating up near the ceiling somewhere, it was incredible. From that meeting the Dillards asked me to record a fiddle album with them. What a break for me and we did record the following summer in LA, Calif. Doug could back up a fiddle better than any banjo player because he really understood the fiddle as his Dad played and also Doug played some fiddle. There are so many stories I could tell about Doug and I do in my upcoming book. Rest in Peace Doug Dillard you were one of my favorites.
