Lots of work for our kind from 60s forward. Some of the names did not take horns on the road but elected to pick up players from localities where they had performances. I got to play with the Temptations back in the early 70s (!!!) and somehow got on the "Call List" ( many thanks to Harry Medema, other Mike and Jimi!) with The O'Jays many, many times from the early 80s thru the end of the 90s, including a really great "100 Black Men of America National Convention" show with so many well know personalities in attendence (my wife got to talk to several, including the late Don Cornelius!)... Again with The OJays on so many other very electric venues, once playing with them just a few days after the incredible TOP horns had played with them and most memorably, at the Krewe of Zulu Mardi Gras Ball in New Orleans! Another time with the OJays for a family day in the park with people as far as you could see enjoying the sounds (my then teen children and their friends won't ever forget this one... Kid In Play was featured as well!) sometime in the late 80s or early 90s. I got to perform with El Rey, the great Tito Puente at a very big National Latin Festival that left a permanent mark on my conscience. My regular weekend gig was with a very good, WORKING! Classic Rock and R&B cover band (during that entire period), working consistently thru the early 2000s. Those were the days! Youth was a nice ingredient that somehow seemed to slip away... but I got to live it and that's what being a trumpet player in that day was about! I got a taste, many had a feast! Before the digital age, horns got lots of work and with any luck will again! What goes around, comes around, or so I'm told!
Just a few thoughts from a while ago,
Mike
