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I want to thank those of you who contributed to the Tommy Johnson memory book. Gene Pokorny, Jim Self, Ron Davis and I presented the book to him as a surprise today and he was overwhelmed by the by all of the wonderful letters and photos that he has received. He is a man who truly loves his students and it was great to see how many students returned the love.
Norm Pearson


Gene and TJ

Presenting the book



MoAnderson, Ron Davis, Jim Self, Tommy Johnson, Gene Pokorny, Norm Pearson
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Norm, Jim, Tommy, Ron, Gene

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Mo Anderson!! Haven't seen him in years--whatcha up to, Mo?

Super pictures--I'll bet that scrapbook is one amazing compilation. Couldn't go to a better person.

Amazing! Has anyone stopped to consider how many times we have heard these collected tuba players in our lives? I would love to know even a ballpark figure at how many recordings these gentlemen have been on and how may players they have impacted. The results would be astounding. If you plunked Herb Weksellblatt (Metropolitan Opera, EVERY Saturday for 20+ years) in the middle of this assembly, you would have the most "heard" tuba players in the history of recorded sound in one place. It boggles the mind.

Chuck

Mr.Johnson looks younger and healthier than all you other guys.What gives?

I have known Tommy Johnson for 15 years and haven't seen him age a day. It's probably because he was so wise at such a young age. No need to get any older.

Hey, Norm------thanks for those great pictures of GREAT tuba players.

This is aside from your post, but you might enjoy this story which illustrates how small the world is. Sitting in a restaurant somes months ago, I recognized one of the elderly "regulars", and I struck up a conversation with him. After a while, we began talking about our adult children. He bemoaned the fact that his daughter hadn't become a doctor, instead becoming "only a musician". I asked what and where she played. He said she played cello in the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. I was stunned that he seemed somewhat unaware of the magnitude of her achievement. I reassured him that she has done very well in life, and he finally stated that he was proud of her. Weeks later, I had an opportunity to meet her and her family when they visited here in the SF Bay area. Her name is Gloria Lum, and she knows you and your fine tuba playing in the orchestra.