Guitar Stories

One of the great things about the life I lead is the opportunity to go out and play guitar at ever-changing scenarios, and for ever-changing faces. Playing the kind of music I play often gives me the opportunity to perform at wedding receptions for instance, or to play in someone's home. Part of the fun of this is that I'm playing for people when they're most relaxed, surrounded by family, friends, friends-of, and business acquaintances. I've done my share of playing in restaurants, bars and pubs, which can be a lot of fun, but this is different.

Now one of the amazing things about playing the guitar is that everyone seems to have an interest in it on some level, be they guitar players or not. It's an instrument, that's so versatile that it fits naturally into any kind of music, has universal appeal, and it just seems to react at the gut-level. When I'm playing in this kind of setting, it gives people an opportunity to get physically close to the guitar (and guitar player) in a way that they might not always get a chance. It also gives them a chance to perhaps hear styles of music played on the guitar that they don't normally listen to. Also, given that outside of the people who hired me, there's a better then good chance that no one else there has ever heard of me.

Usually on this kind of gig, my job is to play ambient music. The hosts want the atmosphere of live music, but still want people to be able to converse at normal levels, so my volume is adjusted accordingly. (I think this is a great idea by the way, and strongly urge you to do it for your own parties.)

Here's the real fun part. While I'm sitting there doing my ambiance thing, it's not unusual for someone, or even a few people to pull up a chair and sit right next to me, within a couple of feet. On occasion these people are not the designated driver for the evening. This is when this gut-level reaction to the guitar becomes most obvious. Naturally conversations start, and I find people want to share their guitar experiences with me as players, students (and we're all students) or great experiences they've had in the audience. Sometimes I meet new students this way, or get new gigs.

But mostly I get to hear all kinds of stories; lots of times about people's favorite guitar players. Chet Atkins is still very popular, Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page of course; George Benson, Django, I even hear Segovia, Bream and Williams stories. I could go on. Oh, and Roy Clark is still much more popular then he probably realizes. Anyway I love these conversations — I have a few guitar stories myself.

It can be really funny, it's an education for me, and it gives me insight on people's reactions to this instrument. Maybe the most fun part of all is ebb and flow of music and conversation. Plus it gives me a chance to play a gig within the gig so to speak. While being my ambient self, I'm doing a personal mini-concert for the people sitting around me who've taken an interest.

This past weekend I was asked by Roland and Pam M. of Virginia Beach, who had heard me play at another event, to play for a private party in their beautiful home. My thanks to Roland, Pam and beautiful daughter Sarah who were just the kind of people that make my job so great — gracious and generous hosts, who right from the start provided just the kind of atmosphere that makes any musician comfortable.

So picture this. I'm at a party where everyone around me is there just to have a good time, people tell me amazing funny stories, great jokes more suitable to someone else's blog, and I'm playing guitar. Life is beautiful. Once again, my kinda livin'.