I Know I’m Right All the Time

A long, long time ago, I tried out on bass for a local country artist. He still plays around some, and there's no way, even if I prompted him, he would remember the audition. But I was a "punk rock-style player" and thought country was easy. I'm thinking about this because I'm simplifying my Grateful Dead style a little bit with the band and trying to make sure I'm hitting the fundamental stuff that non-Deadheads who like the Dead need to hear. Anyway, I went to this guy's house and started pick-style jamming, not doing the typical eighth-note country thing. I knew zero transitions from chord to chord. And I can still remember the look of sympathy he gave me. I don't remember what we talked about. I don't remember what we played. I have no idea what keys we were in, but I remember that look. And maybe once every two or three years, I'll see him. He was just such a nice guy about it. Saying that's not the style he's looking for, but it's cool. He knew it was shit, and I know now it was…