I really admire people who develop life long hobbies, whatever they may be. Of course, I am very interested in musicians who have played the accordion for fifty or more years! What made you love the accordion so much that you still play it today. Any kind of accordion: keyboard, button, bayan, diatonic etc. For those of you who are wondering? YES! I am a proud member of the “50 plus Accordion Club”! I am very grateful to my parents for introducing me to the accordion which holds a lasting life long positive effect! I cannot imagine a day without playing or listening to accordion music. I am sure that many of you also feel similarly. Tell me about it!!

AWW wants your story! No matter what your level of skill is, I am interested. I am working on a project to learn about the thoughts of people with life long commitment to the accordion. I am including an article about my findings in www.accordionusa.com news publications each month. Would you like to contribute your story to this worthwhile project? Please submit your info including photos of you with your accordion over the years. Maximum of 4 photos, please. You may include one or two video links of your performance either as soloist or in an ensemble.

Please send the info to me at: Ritabelll@aol.com Remember to check out the April USA News for a list of suggested questions/ideas that you may consider for your article.

As AAA Secretary and Board member, I am also a promoter of the important series of articles by AAA Historian Joan Grauman about the history of AAA personalities and artists, I have long advocated that Joan Grauman, should also write about her life and after many conversations she has agreed. I am proud to call Joan Grauman a friend and applaud her stellar documentation of the AAA History. I am confident, you will enjoy reading Joan Graumans’ “life-long love” of the accordion just below.