Divine Providence Or Blind Luck

"Tis better to be in the right place at the right time than to be in the wrong place at the wrong time"
MJ Hawkeye

Lizzie informed me three days ago there was going to be a piano concert at a church near us and she'd like to go. The guy doing the playing, she said, was famous, especially in our area, and it was only a ten dollar bill to get in. Thus, I did not expect to see Frederic Chopin. The Queen and I hadn't been out in awhile, and there was Christmas crap on television so I gave her the affirmative: "buy the tickets". Lizzie told me the story of David Tolley on the Tonight Show from 1985 but it still didn't ring a bell. Let's face it; If famous persons haven't made their mark unless wearing an athletic supporter I probably haven't heard of them.
Since this IS a fairy tale type story I believe that the best way to present it is---

Once upon a time, in the spring of 1964, in the small hamlet of Dublin, Ohio a boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tolley. He was named, David, and he grew up with a thirst and appreciation for music, especially the piano. Throughout his Christian upbringing he played and he played and he played. He played the piano at home and he especially enjoyed playing at the Liberty Presbyterian Church. Time flew by and before he knew it he had graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in music. His dream, though, was to become a famous composer. He was haunted by the fact that playing in front of large crowds made him very nervous even though his college professors told him that was the route he should go. At any rate, young David took off for California in 1985 looking for his big break. After six months of home sickness and finding no work Davids' mother sent his brother out to visit in the hope of cheering him up. One day Davids' brother decided they should do some sight seeing so they went to the beach then to the homes of some 'Hollywood Stars'. Younger brother then informed David that he had secured tickets to the Johnny Carson Show. Now is when this story gets good so pay close attention.
At the beginning of the show, Johnny informed the audience that one of their guests, a concert pianist, had slammed his car door on his fingers and could not play that evening. Carson then said, "We have never done this before but since we promised you a pianist, is there anyone in the audience who can play the piano"? He told them he didn't want to hear 'Chop sticks' but actual playing. Davids' brother raised his hand for him and, just like it was written in a Hollywood movie script, young David was selected to come down and perform. You know it wasn't a set up when David jauntily marched down the theater steps in Nike t-shirt, jeans and flip flops. The long story short of this entire scenario was, Johnny was flabbergasted, the audience gave David a standing ovation and, nervous or not, David, with his jocular banter, and the ease with which he did his thing brought down the house.
From this point in time David was asked back by the Carson staff to play again but this time as an anounced guest. His selection was a self composed, "Amazing Grace", in five variations. The George H. Bush family then called for him to play at the White House. David Tolley wrote scripts for Disney and last night Lizzie and I saw his 25th consecutive anniversary performance at the Liberty Presbyterian Church. He ended his concert last evening with the same 'Amazing Grace' composition he did on the Carson Show. It was very special.
Tolley has stayed in our area with his wife and four children even though he received his doctorate in music from Ohio State and is on the staff at Delaware State University. He also commutes frequently to California and is in the process of composing for two Broadway plays; Solomon and Joan of Arc. Tolley appreciates the values of countryside living and wants his family where he planted roots.
And they lived happily ever after.

I have included a seven minute video which you can see first by clicking here. It will explain the story of how Tolley was selected for the Tonight Show. It shows how Tolley looks today. Then, if you click here you will be able to see the actual scenario from a then 21 year old as it unfolded on the Carson Show many years ago.
Enjoy!