Hello again to All !  Okay, so I toot my own horn every now and again.
Color me slightly conceited.  But I'm proud to report that there are
now 50 web sites in the Player Piano Ring, and more waiting in the
queue.

When I think back to just short of three years ago, there wasn't
one single web site on the Internet that dealt exclusively with player
pianos.  The reason I know that is because my daughter, a Cal Tech grad
who went on to become the webmaster for a very large Silicon Valley
computer company (name withheld by request), told me I could become the
first, if I acted quickly, which I did.

Spurred on by Pete Woodworth, who recommended that I contact Jody
Kravitz and become involved with the MMD, the last three years have
been an exciting journey that I never envisioned I would undertake.
The journey has lead me to people and places I never would have met or
visited.  In short(er) <grin>, the Internet has expanded my horizons
beyond my wildest imaginings and opened entirely new venues that
heretofore did not exist.  I think Jody and Robbie would agree that the
last three years seem somewhat like a lifetime because we've expanded
and grown in so many directions and touched so many lives.

As you might be able to tell, my enthusiasm continues to grow everyday.
There are no dull moments.  I'm the first to admit that life as a
player piano rebuilder was becoming mundane after 23 years.  But now
I'm also the first to say that life can start again at 48 years of age
(or younger) if you'll only follow your heart and the advice of those
who care about you and/or love you.

Venturing into the unknown will always be a bit frightening; that's to
be expected.  What can't be seen in advance are the rewards on the
other side of persistence, tenacity and the willingness to place your
life in God's hands.  Unwavering faith will conquer even the strongest
of foes.

Enjoying life after 50,

John A. Tuttle

P.S. Strive to become a part of things larger than yourself.