L.to r.: Doc Severinsen, Jim Cullum, Jr.

Whenever Doc came to town, he would look me up. This is before he became so famous--before the Tonight Show. Later, when he was famous, he would come down to the Landing and everyone would try to get his autograph. He would sit in with us, blending in and adjusting his style as best he could.

One time, he called me up from LA and told me that he was coming to San Antonio to play a concert date and to meet him and Ed Shaunessy at the airport. I did, and after a brief news conference at the airport, Doc said "Let's get some Mexican food." So we went to a little family-run place I knew.

He orders a lot of food, a complete Mexican dinner with side dishes, soup, etc. I was amazed that he went through all that food. We pay the bill and walk out, and he says, "What's this other place you're talking about?" "The Pan American," I reply. "Let's go there." So we go over there and he has another big Mexican meal. I never knew anybody could eat so much.

I took him down to his rehearsal. He goes in and takes out his trumpet and blows all these great high notes--I was amazed that the food didn't seem to affect his playing at all!