Well done, David!  Have you always used your free time while touring this way or is the Roadfood angle a more recent development?

You mentioned you’re now in your 5th decade with the CSO.  Are you the longest-tenured member?

The Roadfood angle is definitely a more recent development. When I first joined the Orchestra I went to museums and other sights. In the late 1980s I started a rare violin book and autograph business, and I spent all of my free time on tours going to antiquarian book and autograph dealers. When I got my first iPad before a European tour in August, 2011, I started using the camera to take pictures during the tour. I had joined Roadfood.com in 2008 and saw all the incredible trip reports. I went on my my first barbecue trip in January 2012, and got more and more interested in documenting my trips. I’ve become obsessed with North and South Carolina barbecue, and Savannah in general.

I’m currently the sixth most senior member of the CSO. I think that at least one, possibly two of the more senior members will be retiring in a year or maybe two, which would make me number four. Our most senior member is our principal trombone Jay Friedman, in his 55th year. In my 43rd year, there is little chance that I will be able to match the longevity record of 54 years of a cellist who was a member when I joined. He had joined in 1955 at age 22, and retired just before he passed away at age 77 in 2009. I would have to play until I’m 79, another 12 years. I don’t think I’ll want to or be able to do that.

David