I realize that the following might be more than you want to know, so feel free to not go beyond the first paragraph...
My two brothers and I have had a band since about 1955. We have had a live radio show, made records, played in "joints", jamboree stage shows, county fairs, country clubs, weddings, company parties, conventions, hotels, motels, in pastures, on the back of flatbeds. We have played theater openings, grocery store openings, Macy's, but so far no cock fights.
We still do this, even at our advanced ages because--we have no shame.
I'm joking of course, because we actually get paid fairly well and still are booking jobs, so all these years playing in bands has been like a part-time job that we enjoy (usually).
I also teach guitar lessons but currently I only have 12 students because I'm so busy with other business.
One brother is a collector of vintage guitars since the 60's and owns many great guitars probably numbering more than 50. He did have a booth at every Dallas Guitar Show but because of health issues, has given this up. I have about 10 guitars but I use mine as workhorses on the job with 3 bands.
I still mourn my 1957 Statocaster (Sherwood green, gold hardware) that dad bought me on Christmas 1957 to replace the '56 Les Paul Jr. that was burned up in our house fire. I traded it in '62 for a new Gibson ES-330 because I thought that's what my hero Freddie King played. He was from this area and I got to see him several times, so he left a big impression on me.
I still get asked by old (I mean OLD) former schoolmates that haven't seen me in 40 years, "Do you STILL play guitar?" Of course they're meaning is: "I can't believe you haven't put that childish toy away." Some who played for 6 months in garage bands always come on like they actually were players instead of three chord strummers.
I just love the music, not the image, or the business that goes with it.
Have you ever seen that T-shirt that says, "The older I get, the better I was."? Many times I feel like John Belushi's character in Animal House, when at the toga party he encounters a terrible singer/guitarist, grabs his guitar and smashes it on the wall in a thousand pieces. LOVED it! Don't get the wrong idea, I have nothing against casual strummers--it's good therapy. Just don't corner me and imply you're a real musician. That's all of that rant, thanks I feel better now...
Even if you don't care, my influences are: Freddie King, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessell, James Burton, Robben Ford, Larry Carlton, George Benson, Wes Montgomery, Roy Buchanan, Danny Gatton, Jimmy Bryant, Hank Garland!!, Jimmy Smith (B-3 Organ) and almost anyone who plays any instrument well.
I worked for a new car dealer for 22 years in sales and as F & I manager. I used to be a car "nut" but my enthusiasm has faded somewhat even though now I own a used car dealership. I guess I miss the old days when cars were drastically different every year and you could easily tell a Buick from a Pontiac.
I perked up a little when I started seeing "ratrods" especially those that are well done and not expensive, because it reminds me of all the cars ('33 Ford coupe, '36 Ford coupe, '39 Chevy coupe) I couldn't afford to finish.
Strangely though, I cannot stand it when someone "antiques" a guitar to make it look vintage. Anyway, my mind has had 63 years to get to this degree of warpage...
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