$.99 and the Heavy Door

On being let in before you knew you belonged

Camelot Music, 1986. I first met Don in the remainder bin.

I was rifling through the cutouts when a maroon album stopped me — the Symphonic Percussion Ensemble. Not something I would ever have considered purchasing. But something about it stood out. I flipped it over and inspected the names. No pictures. Just white text on a dark jacket. And there, halfw…