Y'know? In every lifetime, you get to meet a certain amount of very special people. I've been lucky. In my life, I've met many more than my share of really special people. (I've met a lot of people who just don't seem to "get it", too. But, they don't seem to stick.) The Good people do, though... in my personal and my professional life.

But, every so often an individual crosses into both worlds.... someone you consider a great colleague and a good, good friend.

In my life, one of those men is "Dodger".

ROGER BARTLETT (Dodger)

I met Dodger in 1995 when I was cast in a musical play that he'd co-written. The show was produced at the Mill Mountain Theater in Roanoke VA, and Roger was the musical director as well as playing in the band on stage. I liked and respected him immediately, and he put up with me and my... solo "ooooh's". (That's just inside between me and Dodge!)

Anyway, during a soundcheck down there is when I first played the song "Wedding in Danville" for anyone. (It was originally entitled "Wedding in Brewster". Dodger heard it and said, "Man! That's a beautiful song... but, Brewster sounds stupid." We laughed. I agreed. And, proceeded to change the lyric. (Some of you know that story.) Anyway... he said when the run was over and we got back to New York, he'd like to help me record it.

We did.

The rest is history. That began one of those friendships that don't come along very often... and, one of those creative partnerships that come along even less often.

Dodger and I have had so many laughs. He's helped me make soooooo much music. He plays guitar on nearly everything I've recorded since we met. He is a tremendous audio technician as well, operating out of his own home studio. We've co-written songs together. And, when I come in with something new that is a work-in-progress, Roger will sometimes give me gentle nudge in a different direction I hadn't thought of. On a personal level, when I've gone through some tough times... Roger is always one of the first phone calls. And, my phone has always rung when he's run into a bump in the road, too.

In the recording studio, when we are up to our ass in a project, he is the steady calm, the voice of reason, and the one with the dirtiest joke at exactly the right moment.

On stage... well, what can I say? I'm a writer, but there are no words I can use to express to you how it feels to walk out on a stage in front of a sold-out Merkin Concert Hall, and look to my right, and see "Dodger" with his electric guitar on his shoulder... to sit in a couple of straight-back chairs with a couple of acoustic guitars in front of an audience of wonderful people, and just do what we do... together. Watching him play is a joy beyond words. It really is. Creating something on-the-fly with him is magic. I imagine it's like co-piloting a glider through the sky. I always introduce Roger kinda like this...

"I wanna bring out a friend of mine, now. Y'know, my wish for everyone is that, no matter what you do for a living, you find your own Roger Bartlett. As great and as versatile a guitar player as he is... he's a 10 times nicer guy. Ladies and gentlemen... my friend, Dodger."

Well...

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Dodger told me this week that he and his lovely wife are moving out of New York City.... to the great southwest.

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Am I sad?

Yeah. But, it's a sweet, deep and profound sadness, tempered with immense gratitude.

End of an era for me?

Oh yeah. Definitely. But, grateful beyond words for all the music we've made together. And, it's not the loss of a friend or a partner. Because the friendship will last the rest of my lifetime, and the partnership will just hafta change a bit. (Oh, you don't think I'm gonna fly him in for The Voices Together concert in January and every CD I ever do!?!?! You're crazy!!!)

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He's my friend. He's my musical partner.

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Damn! He's "DODGER".

Mr. Roger Bartlett.

Thanks, Pal!