I saw on TV that the 1st Strat, made in 1954,
is available for $250,000. I bought my first Strat
4 yrs after that one and paid $167. I sold it in
1981 for $1200. and a used Tele.
Reply
As a teen picker, I had to buy guitar strings
one at a time. Not sure they are sold that way now....singles. I changed strings back then when they broke. Now a new set of six is the standard,
and frequent changes is the norm.
Reply
I had to wait until retirement from my "day job"
before becoming full-time guitarist. I am now doing
the work that defines who I am, and I feel the best I have must be given every time I play. My playing
is me and it's also my ministry...to take the joy
of God's music everywhere I can.
Reply
Chet Atkins, my forever guitar hero, tried it all.
His earliest Merle Travis-style, through jazz,
classical, teen beat, Beatles, contemporary,
gospel, swing. Also some Texas shuffle. He played
solo, with a small combo, with symphony orchestras, with famous pickers....young and old.
He played Gretch, Gibson, Fender guitars and even hit a banjo lick or two. But through it all, my
favorite alltime Chet favorite..Swedish Rhapsody.
The tone and technique still blow me away.
Reply
At age 6 my parents shoved me on a public park
show stage, against my will. With my tiny
uke, I sang and played 4-Leaf Clover & If I Knew
You Were Comin.' Although I was shaking and
scared, I won 2nd place. A baton twiller won 1st.
Reply
I once read, "If nature is your friend, you don't
need any enemies." At 7-degrees this AM, I
understand that statement. Here in N AL we get
blown away in the spring, burned-up in summer
and now, frozen stiff in January. It's life of extemes
here in Dixie.
Reply
Most country artist now wear jeans and Tees,
with no appeal to the eye. The lead singer may
wear a hat and boots, but we see few Nudie suits
these days. For my first paid gig at age 17, I was issued a white-sport-coat and red bow tie. The whole band wore the same outfit and we looked sharp. I'd prefer to see the return of style
on stage. fans deserve better.
Reply
My first guitar, a Sears' acoustic, came when I
was 14. A Sears' electric came the next Christmas.
I wonder how many guitar players got started with
a Christmas guitar ? A gift too big to wrap and to
wonderful to be forgotten. Ever.
Reply
I have four guitars and two each boots and hats.
How many of these wonderful items do you have ?
We country music types value our toys and
each other. As Hank, Jr said, "We are a close knit
fam-il-lee." In hats and boots !
Reply
It is easy to forget that our music is for others.
It is a divine gift to be shared with all who wish to
listen. Sometimes ego gets in the way, the urge
to excel, beat the competition, etc But, the mission
is service. Share your gift gladly !
Reply
Larry Wright / Blog
Strat Gold
I saw on TV that the 1st Strat, made in 1954, is available for $250,000. I bought my first Strat 4 yrs after that one and paid $167. I sold it in 1981 for $1200. and a used Tele.
Reply
Guitar strings
As a teen picker, I had to buy guitar strings one at a time. Not sure they are sold that way now....singles. I changed strings back then when they broke. Now a new set of six is the standard, and frequent changes is the norm.
Reply
Who We Are
I had to wait until retirement from my "day job" before becoming full-time guitarist. I am now doing the work that defines who I am, and I feel the best I have must be given every time I play. My playing is me and it's also my ministry...to take the joy of God's music everywhere I can.
Reply
Chet's Diversity
Chet Atkins, my forever guitar hero, tried it all. His earliest Merle Travis-style, through jazz, classical, teen beat, Beatles, contemporary, gospel, swing. Also some Texas shuffle. He played solo, with a small combo, with symphony orchestras, with famous pickers....young and old. He played Gretch, Gibson, Fender guitars and even hit a banjo lick or two. But through it all, my favorite alltime Chet favorite..Swedish Rhapsody. The tone and technique still blow me away.
Reply
First Gig
At age 6 my parents shoved me on a public park show stage, against my will. With my tiny uke, I sang and played 4-Leaf Clover & If I Knew You Were Comin.' Although I was shaking and scared, I won 2nd place. A baton twiller won 1st.
Reply
Nature Come A-callin'
I once read, "If nature is your friend, you don't need any enemies." At 7-degrees this AM, I understand that statement. Here in N AL we get blown away in the spring, burned-up in summer and now, frozen stiff in January. It's life of extemes here in Dixie.
Reply
Gig Clothing
Most country artist now wear jeans and Tees, with no appeal to the eye. The lead singer may wear a hat and boots, but we see few Nudie suits these days. For my first paid gig at age 17, I was issued a white-sport-coat and red bow tie. The whole band wore the same outfit and we looked sharp. I'd prefer to see the return of style on stage. fans deserve better.
Reply
Guitars and Christmas
My first guitar, a Sears' acoustic, came when I was 14. A Sears' electric came the next Christmas. I wonder how many guitar players got started with a Christmas guitar ? A gift too big to wrap and to wonderful to be forgotten. Ever.
Reply
Hats, Boots & Guitars
I have four guitars and two each boots and hats. How many of these wonderful items do you have ? We country music types value our toys and each other. As Hank, Jr said, "We are a close knit fam-il-lee." In hats and boots !
Reply
It's Not About Us
It is easy to forget that our music is for others. It is a divine gift to be shared with all who wish to listen. Sometimes ego gets in the way, the urge to excel, beat the competition, etc But, the mission is service. Share your gift gladly !
Reply