I met Rocky in Islesboro in about 1971. We immediately began playing guitars and singing toegether. I was in awe of his musical background, which was such that it took me a long time to appreciate its depth.
We began jamming in the Island Pub, run by Stanley and David Pendleton. Beer, pizza, and a place to sleep were the perks. After a few weeks of this, I walked in one afternoon, the place was nearly empty. Rocky called me over to a corner booth and sat across from me and said, in quite a serious voice: "Hey. These guys want to PAY us to play here."
I was floored, thrilled. We had a great summer. There was no PA system - we'd move from booth to booth to table, playing requests for each group, and they'd pour us beers from their pitchers.
One big event was a weekend trip down to CT, where we performed on the stage at Lake Compounce with Rocky's Dad, Rocky Senior, and his Uncle Slim and his band. We were introduced as "bluegrass musicians from Maine". I was once again thrilled. Those guys ("Slim Coxx and the Cowboy Caravan")had a big enthusiastic audience and they made us very welcome.
That fall and winter, I moved down to CT and we spent a few months learning songs and playing in local bars under the name "Lewis and Coxx." I feel like Rocky was among my first real professional influences as a musician, and I will always remember some of what I learned, and the good times we shared. Thank you, my friend.
