Here, the John Hudson & Friends Band is comprised of your's truly, Fred Warner on the far left, then John Hudson with the guitar, Leroy Lane (red shirt) on the resonator guitar and Ken Meyer filling in for Don Hudson (John's father) who was unable to play bass due to health considerations. I have been playing with this band for about three years now and I enjoy the fellows immensely. I've known Don Hudson for around thirty-to-thirty-five years and met a lot of wonderful people through him. (We were playing our hearts out, so the picture is blurry) lol. Kenny Meyer, guitarist with Cedar Ridge, also plays standup bass for at least a couple of other bands. A festival just isn't complete with out a pickin' session at one of these guy's motorhomes.

Here's a picture of  "John Hudson and Friends" practicing for one of several sets they played at The Upper Hudson Bluegrass Festival. Ken Meyer (filling in for Don Hudson) on standup, Don Hudson enjoying the picking, Don's son, John, playing guitar and singing, your's truly picking the five-stringer and Leroy Lane playing his hand-built resonator guitar.

I've met probably a couple of hundred different bassists over the years while out field picking. Probably a lot more than that, but I'm being careful not to exaggerate. Out of them all.....each and every one.....and many of them are really good players, there's one who stands out above the rest: His name is Don Hudson. He has so much talent coupled with years and years of experience playing along with tens of thousands of tunes, that he just knows what chord is coming next and what note or notes he can accompany the chords with. He can "slap" a bass like there's nothing to it and when he's warmed up, well there's no catching him.
Don has been happy and generous in handing down the knowledge of his trade to anyone who shows an interest and I've personally seen him giving all sorts of useful hints and tips to players wanting to learn the intricacies involved in this art form. He has always been the "Go To" bass player.
Don has earned the utmost respect from everyone in the Bluegrass musician's kingdom and I am one of his biggest fans.