I've gone through life without ever taking music lessons. Although I've never played music, it has always been very important in my life. I listen to Patsy Cline and Karlheinz Stockhausen, Bill Evans and the Dead Kennedys. I listen to a lot of different stuff.

When I was in the 5th grade, around 1956, we were all herded into the cafeteria and given a musical aptitude test. I misunderstood some instructions and was not deemed suitable to take music.

It was about two and a half years ago, after a TestingTesting, when the special guest for that show, Maria, asked me if I played. I told her my story and that I wanted to learn to play. She asked "What instrument?" I said "The Accordion." She said that she had one in her attic I could borrow. It had been her sister's.

I finally called Vern Olsen yesterday and I take my first lesson Thursday.