I wrote “Old Friends” as a dedication to my old friend Grant Fannin and my new friends in Big Wy’s Brass Band. Grant and I performed together in the trumpet section at Shepton High School and Plano West Senior High School, and our friendly competition on the trumpet led to a wonderful friendship and starting a band together. When we separated to go to college in different cities, I found new friends in Big Wy’s–again able to share in the joy of music making with friends. Looking back years after writing the song, I will always remember my old friends making music in my high school and college days.
The recording of “Old Friends” on Lord Dope EP features my dear friend Paulo Santos on the flute and myself on the flugelhorn.
Austin Ali 