Paul Messinger here… I first met Bill when he called me to take his first harmonica lessons. I think my friend Alan Holmes had recommended me.

I’ve told this story to many people when I’ve heard them say…oh, I have no musical talent…I tell them I once had this harmonica student that I truly appeared to have NO musical talent at all…had absolutely no sense of time or pitch…Anyway…I suggested he try to take lessons from another friend of mine who I’ve always thought was the best harmonica teacher that I’ve ever met: Joe Filisko.

I didn’t hear from that guy again for a few years, then ran into him at Joe Filisko’s class in Elkins, West Virginia. Of course, he’s the nicest guy you’d ever met so of course I asked to hear what he had been working on…then the guy played…and he played GREAT…an absolute miracle in our time!!!

I guess you all can guess that the guy’s name was Bill Blackley…and he’s become a great friend…and an even better harmonica player!!!