That is a little clearer.
Do I leave the other one in also?
//CdwArtist currentCD = (CdwArtist) listModel.get( currCD );

Both ways I try it the other messages have gone - whew - and the only thing I am left with is
cannot find symbol on currCD here:
currCd = listModel.size()-1;

I thought maybe the -1 needed to be inside the paranthesis, but the message stayed the same so I put it back where you had it.

How can currCD work everywhere but here? <scratching head>