Billy was about to step on to the ladder to the dryer when he saw me and came over. In the easy conversation that followed, I learned how he acquired River Horse II and a few of the other items as well. I knew he had written a book and asked about it. He doesn't push the book or even actually sell it. He did accept a donation when he brought me a copy but it clearly was not necessary. I almost absentmindedly snapped a picture as he signed the book. I intended to get a real picture after he was done but the conversation, with Billy explaining where some of the scenes in The Sycamore Trees take place, immediately started up again and I completely lost any thought of a photo. At last Billy went back to work and I went back to the restaurant where my tea was waiting and so was the notebook. I went through it in comfort in the restaurant's waiting area. By the time I was done, breakfast had slipped a bit further into the past and I gave some thought to sampling something from the kitchen. The decision was made once I spotted Ultimate Grilled Cheese on the menu. I do enjoy a good grilled cheese and this one, with American, Provolone, and Swiss, was excellent.

The band has a newish Live at Roberts CD available and, when they took a break, I walked up to get one. I spoke first with drummer Artie Alinikoff who spent some time in Cincinnati (Ivan and the Sabres) in the late 1960s. Then I talked with Don and asked what might be the world's dumbest question. "Where do you find these pickers?", I asked. I'm asking this of Don Kelley who has inspired more than one "Don Kelley Know How to Pick 'Em" article with his band's guitarists. Plus I'm asking this in Nashville where John Sebastion reported there were "thirteen hundred and fifty-two guitar pickers" back in 1966. Who knows how many more there are now? Don answered me with a smile, "I don't have to look.".

To see what I'm talking about, check out this video from a few years back when J. D. was still in the band and Daniel was still aspiring: Walkin' the Dog.