Guitar Lovers

But I Still Love To Play!
In 1972, I wanted to be a rock star. I was filled with energy and saw al the fame and money these guys get. Allman Brothers, Marshall Tucker Band, Eric Clapton, Beatles, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Santana, and some punks from like Van Halen. Rock and roll guitar was it. I was saved from a life of glum boredom. I loved the electric guitar, and still do! It is a very large part of who I am. But I’m not a rock star. I’m just a guy that plays guitar. But I’m also a husband, a father, friend, member of the community, General Contractor.
I’m a rock and roll guitar player, and a rock and roll singer.

The reason I’m writing this is that learning to play the guitar has been the single most important factor in my life. Absolutely no doubt about it. It’s the only thing I’ve done consistently for the last 30 years. Girls, kids, jobs, cars, friends, houses have all passed away or have been replaced. But not my guitar.

“Never spend your guitar or your pen.” was a line written by Pete Townshend. It is so true. For those of you that are new to this journey, vocation, skill, hobby, obsession that we call “playing the guitar”, all I can say is you’re in for quite a treat if you continue with it.

The guitar is a companion I take along with me whenever I can. Even when I’m too tired to play, it’s just a comfort to have it around. It remind me that my work is not all that I am. I was on a long weekend recently and my sister was along with us. In the evening I came out to the patio carrying my guitar, and then sat down and began to play.All along the Watch Tower. She asked if I still play very often? And I told her whenever I can get a chance. She said It’s nice to see something that you learned as a child has meant so much to you and the people around you for so many years.”

But she was right. Even my sister, who stomped on the kitchen floor and yelled down the basement stairs “Turn that thing down!” But also sat on the beach with me and the rest of the family and sang old Beatles songs until we were hoarse.

My guitar playing started out as an obsession. Lessons, friends to jam with. I couldn’t learn too much too fast. Songs to write and arrange and record. Songs to learn, bands to form. The bands turn into an extended family. But family just the same. I did, for a short while, play professionally. My only job was to play guitar and sing. Those were some of the most memorable times of my life, and I don’t regret it for a second.

But, life got in the way of all that, as it does with young men. And life begat school and girlfriends became wives and became young mothers and school became budding careers more profitable than playing guitar in bars. And yes, my mother did at times ask me when I was going to get a real job. And eventually I did, and I don’t regret that I didn’t become the next Eric Clapton or Paul
McCartney

And the reason I don’t regret it is that in spite of all the crap that life throws at me, I still play guitar. I play with friends in little pick-up rock bands and blues jams. Open mic nights or jamming with friends, in lonely motel rooms and crowded airport concourses. I have played and sung love songs to a pregnant wife, then lullaby’s to a infant. I’ve played guitar to accompany my son squawking on a harmonica, and my daughter’s wonderful voice.

So, get your guitar out of the case and go at it for a while. Play a new song you learned for one of your friends. Get your kids to dance and sing. Make your spouse roll her eyes and shake her head while observing the expression on your face while trying to mastera riff or something! Play guitar. It’s always the best thing to do.