For Benjamin Sears

With gratitude and admiration!

For about twenty-five years Benjamin Sears assisted my teaching and writing with enthusiasm and intelligence. He interrupted a contracts class in 1994 to tell me to drive to the hospital immediately because my first born was on the way unexpectedly. He offered comfort in those difficult years after the death of my wife of blessed memory. He typed six of my books. He taught me a lot about American popular music. He has been a loyal, encouraging, wonderful colleague and friend.