Yesterday was Norman Blake's 79th birthday. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Blake_(American_musician)

He's been a huge influence on me since the first time I ever heard the Blake & Rice album back in the 1980's. I played my first notes on bass along with a cassette tape of those guys. As much as I admired Tony Rice's improvisational approach, it was Norman's laid-back yet deliberate style that drew me in.

Ever since then I've wanted to sit in on bass with him and Nancy. 

*also turned me onto 12-fret guitars, and caused 14 kinds of consternation within the traditional bluegrass scene 'round here.

A truly monster player!  Happy birthday, Norman.

Peter (who fell under Mr. Blake's spell about 1971 with Kristofferson's Silver Tongued Devil And I album, and cemented his awe in '75 the first time he 1) tripped and 2) heard John Hartford's Aereo-Plane)

Absolutely love Norman, one of my all-time favorite guitarists and songwriters. When I am not playing bass and pick up a guitar I play Norman Blake songs (poorly). Became a life-long fan when I got a copy of Back Home in Sulphur Springs in 1972.

Happy Birthday Norman, may you have many more!