Some time ago, I posted a video on both my channel here, and on my YouTube account, featuring some of my "driving around" footage and a version of "Roll Over Beethoven" done by my cousin, Danny Matousek and his band, The Velaires.

I was very pleased when several former bandmates, including some still performing as The Flairs (the band was The Flaris until they discovered another band was using that name, so the changed to The Velaires), left comments on the video and shared some of their memories of Danny.

Having grown up without my birth-father in my life, I had little knowledge of his family. Even after he reappeared in my life, apart from putting my half-brother and sister and I in contact with each other, he "refrained" from giving us any information which would allow us to contact his sisters in Iowa. I had always missed out on the experience of knowing my extended family.

After his death, I took it upon myself to look for his family. Unfortunately, both his sisters had died, one just 6 months before I tracked the family down.

However, it was the remaining family - many (MANY) cousins, my uncle's wife, and friends - who were able to give me the connectin to all those I never would know in person.

I had been looking forward to meeting my cousin Danny during my seecond visit to Iowa. Unfortunately, he passed away just after my first visit and I was unable to do so. His brother, though, has given me mementos and memories to fill him out for me. Now, through the reminiscences of his musician friends, I know more about him. It has been terrific.

One of the unintended but wonderful things that putting the video up has done is put some of these terrific musicians in touch with each other after many decades.