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Decided it was time for me to express gratitude to all concerned for having to experience the times when some of my posts may have seemed inconsiderate, offensive, rude and/or abrupt. I do value the presence of all, even though at times, it didn't always appear that way via the older email format, or currently, doesn't always appear that way with this new web format.
The growing pains of learning the true value of fellowship is an ongoing process. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this great activity called the Piano Technicians Guild and to gradually learn my place in it.

Apparently, I am not done. The Christmas spirit has got a hold of me once again.
More names to this great PTG group: the Pianotek Supply Company folks: Bob Marinelli, Mark Bisso, Jane Ainsbray ... Larry Fisher, and oh my gosh, the staff at the Home Office, what a terrific bunch of folks, past and present, who have helped make this whole thing possible: Sandy, there's no way to express my appreciation for your involvement and friendship, Barbara, Kathy, Jason, Shawn, Sara ... just couldn't have done it without you folks. The WestPac group and the unbelievable group and their conventions, especially this coming year of 2012. I could hardly contain myself with the announcement of their intended presenters and exhibitors that are going to be there @ http://www.westpac-ptg.org/ .

More than anything ... right now, my wife, Carol, is playing a piece called Change My Heart, Oh Lord on an 1912 Kanbe Mignon Grand, that I have been privileged to do some work on to maintain as much as possible its originality ... what a JOY ... to sit in the presence of her and the playing of such a beautiful piece of music ... it hardly gets any better than this ... hopefully all others can experience such moments as this ... there are far to many other individuals who have contributed to my piano life's experience to recall ... best to all ... I am done with this blog ...

More names: Nolan Zerinque, Fern Henry, Bill Spurlock, Dean Reyburn, Nick Gravange, Guy Nichols, Ernie Preuitt, Don Morton, Kent Swafford, Ron Nossaman, Wally & Vivian Brooks, Bruce Dornsfeld, awaiting more remembrances ...

More national conventions I attended where I crossed the paths of, and had sit-downs with, such individuals as Marshall Hawkins, Ron Berry, John Travis and Put Crowl. I'll add more names as they come to my remembrance.
I have served as Oklahoma Chapter delegate in the Council on several occasions. What an experience that is for those who have never been there. I even had the opportunity to sit in on a pre-council board meeting once. What an eye opener as to the process our elected leaders go through to keep things running.
I have been blessed to meet so many incredible individuals in the Piano Technicians Guild (PTG). Nowhere else are you going to find the richness and vastness of persons such as members of PTG. These moments in my life I shall carry with me until my time is over. It is because of the magnanimity of this diverse group that I am who I am when it comes to piano service and understanding the importance of "What's It All About, Alfie?" Thank you one and all.

Next stop on the road to becoming a better piano technician was the Texas State Association (TSA) and its seminars. TSA covered a five state area: New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.
This truly was an invaluable activity. Some of the notable individuals who embraced my presence, while not yet being a member of the Piano Technicians Guild were: Danny Boone, David Hale, Leon Speir, Jack Wyatt, Fred Yonley, Dale Probst, Martin Wisenbaker, Gary Neie, and a host of so many others. There is simply no way I could begin to name all the persons in the TSA who welcomed me into their mists despite many of my shortcomings, one being incredibly eager to participate.
It was through this group's testing activity that I eventually became a Registered Piano Technician (at that time it was called Registered Tuner-Technician). The telling of this journey does continue ...

Next stop was finding the nearest chapter in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Chapter, 731 of the South Central Region. It was just beginning to revive itself when I got onboard. Some of the names then: Jesse Lyons, Bob Qualls, Don Stephens, Luther Stephens, Ben Bailey, Albert Evans and Jamie Marks. It was through those folks and many others that began another journey in learning more about the Piano Technicians Guild and the members therein.

I remember my beginnings with the Piano Technicians Guild. This took place in 1983. The first major convention for me was New Orleans. What an experience! Classes were rich. Fellowship was unreal. And New Orleans after hours was the bomb. I didn't know life could get that exciting. The three main Institute persons were Dick Bittinger (sp?), Ernie Juhn and Ben McKlveen. They rotated the position of Institute Director. Those guys were the backbone of those years for outstanding conventions. More later ...