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Chubby and I were classmates in Republic until the family moved to Cambridge in 1952. I think they'd lived on North Street, between Redstone & Eagle. Years later I got a copy of her cookbook. I also remember Honey from the Cozy Nook. Someone else posted that the town is poor and rundown, which is true. It's just a shell of what it had been. I was in the Redstone Class of ' 56. Since then I've lived in 7 states & 2 foreign countries, but whenever I think of "home," it's always Republic. Always will be. Capisce? Larry Lockhart

Hi Vinnie, We are both from Republic, Pa. I went to the big grade school on top of the hill. If I'm not mistaken, we used to hang out at school. Do you remember Billy Lancaster or Jerry Dula-Jerrys dad owned the bar next to the A&P a block off of main street. Been a long time.....I went back, and the town is pathetic and really poor. Hopefully this will jar a few memories as when I realized you were from Republic-and I might add the only famous guy from-I had to text you! Happy Trails, Eugene Andersen

Hi! I just wanted to tell you that as the board chair for the National Qigong Association I was just tickled to see your band name of Jing Chi! We have several of our presenters jamming at our Savannah conference in September and they wish they had come up with that name! Best in Qi Jo

Vinnie, I wanted to apologize for coming so late to the dance regarding your amazing album from 1994, which I cannot figure out how I missed it. With it being released in 1994 I wanted to suggest that you should relaunch it for countless millions of jazz fans and musicians that were not exposed to one of the greatest albums I ever heard! You could do a 30th Anniversary Issue of Vinyl since it is resurging and add links to all of your Breakfast Conversations which are a treasure trove of Jazz & music history, along with some liner notes on your recollections of the songs on the album, players and inspirations for each of the songs. You would have to get crackin' to make Christmas and hopefully you have a team that could assist. Jazz musicians should not miss this gem of an album that could create a new Tsunami of great fusion music! You're the best and thank you all the bad-ass drumming to move the music! Bobbyfuntime!

Vinnie - Thank you for your Breakfast Interviews! Especially the one with John McLaughlin! My all-time favorite song is Right Off from Miles and certainly John, Billy, etc, For years I have fantasized about conducting an investigation on how that tune was developed. YOU DID IT & it was most fascinating to hear John explain how it was a groove that he started with Billy. As a trumpeter, I was able to learn how to play that song, but never publicly. The other great thing was leaning of your 1990 Album and the song dedicated to John. I apologize for coming so late to the party, but after listening to every song, I believe it is one of the greatest albums in Jazz fusion, EVER! And your drumming was off the planet, and it backs up the accolades that John gave you and who would not be blown away (as humbly as you were) by the greatest jazz guitarist (in my opinion) of all time. How cool that your album is on John's play list!! God Bless you and your family and thank you for sharing your talent over the years with people who appreciate the finest music in the universe!

Thanks for your honesty and contributions to MUSIC, I saw you play with Zappa at the Uptown Theater in Chicago in 1980. From the first ten seconds of the show, you not only blew my mind, but the vibe you were projecting was so incredible, just like all of the masters of music.

Happy Birthday!!!!

Gidday Vinnie, Todd Sucherman recently aired a 3-part "Spotlight" on Drumeo which blew my socks off (and I hardly ever wear them!). If you're ever in sunny Queensland we have a spare room - cheap rates. Kidding! You're probably the best drummer no one has ever heard of, but everyone has heard. Cheers.

Vinnie, Just found your breakfast podcasts and of course, the first one to listen to is “Does the World Need More Music?” And yes it does, of course. Great to hear you talking about that. No reason you should remember me. We did a few sessions together and you played on my album “Upright.” What I appreciate about you is that even though you can play 8 Bulgarian rhythms at once, you put your whole body into a simple backbeat. You’ve always been one of my favorite drummers and now one of my favorite podcasters! Thanks for all the great music you give us. Happy New Year to you and yours!

Hi Mr C., Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your podcast. Not just the drumming parts (I’m a bass player and a friend of Jim Haslip), but your take on life, politics, music, etc. Thanks for giving a refreshing perspective!!! Please keep it up and I’ll keep listening!!! Jeff Carswell