Henry Greenfield

Mountain Boys Henry Greenfield

A boy of six decides to become a famous piano player. That dream becomes foiled by life's realities and parents who cannot afford a piano. Herbie Rizer's hardships begin with an accordion teacher and bum, moves to a French Horn in a junior high band where he is rejected by a first love, and progresses to saxophonist with a despicable love life. Marching bank to jazz, music major to English, Herbie discovers his life's calling is based upon rote rather than talent. Travel with him and his lifelong friends to entertain at Biltmore Veterans' Hospital, to accompany a celebrity at the Fontainebleau, to perform in Cuba's Carnival, to play for soldiers at Guantanamo, and then to please guests at the resort club of Lakeside Inn in Hendersonville, North Carolina. If life has wings, Herbie's are, at times, in need of splints from bad breaks.