[TPIN] Al Hirt

[Travis Wilson]

Al Hirt is to me what Maynard is to a lot of you. He was THE GUY I 
listened to growing up. His version of I love Paris got worn out on my 
record player. (yup, record player, not even cassette back then)

I met him when i spent a summer at the Cincinnati conservatory of Music 
during my high school years. He was awesome. Spent several hours with 
the trumpet players in our orchestra, autographed everything including 
my trumpet case. Gave us great tickets to his show that night.

i saw him again in New Orleans at his club many years  later ( I was 
full grown and married) and he at least acted  like he remembered that 
visit at the conservatory.

he was my main inspiration. He was what i thought a trumpet should sound 
like. (hey, trust me, i still do)

he may not have done the Hayden the "right way' but he, like Maynard, 
inspired a lot of us that are playing the trumpet now, and made us work 
harder and love the music all the more.

Travis
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