Johnny Smith Quotes

I started flying well before World War II. In fact, I was supposed to be a pilot when I went into the Air Force. I had a problem with my left eye that grounded me and they gave me a choice of going to Biloxi, Mississippi for mechanics school or going into the band in Macon, GA where I was stationed at that time. I went over to see the band director and being a guitar player didn't exactly make me popular with him. They gave me a coronet, an Arban’s book and told me to go into the latrine to practice and he would audition me in a couple of weeks. Let me tell you that you get quite a bit of motivation when you have a choice of staying in a nice place and playing music or going to Biloxi, MI to become a mechanic! I did manage to get in the band and actually met quite a few very good musicians.
Johnny Smith