I've been a guitar player for over 45 years. I also play bass and drums. I have a music room full of gear and play every day.
Sounds like a good ole country song in the makin' with that part of your story...Got a job playing drums and Bass with a country band for many years. From about '71 to 78 I tried to see how much alcohol, pot, diet pills a person could do and still function.
It just about burned me out.
I still believe that there is no such thing as talent. But there is a thing called desire of which I had a very large amount.
Anyhoo, Me and a buddy would sneak off to a tavern about 10 miles away to listen to a band that belonged to another buddys uncle. I was 12 by then. One night his rhythm guitar player didn't show up and he asked me if I would set in. I knew the songs they played by heart, I sat in and I never quit after that. The guy showed up, got mad as hell, I was playing his guitar, and he quit. I played there till my mom found out why I stayed all night with friends every Friday and Saturday night.
In the Army, I ran into several fantastic players and learned everything they would show me. I met a guy named Stan Friend and learned a lot.
I really worked on the Merle Travis, Chet Atkins style of thumb picking and loved that sound.
This was all between 1957 and 1976.
Got a job playing drums and Bass with a country band for many years. From about '71 to 78 I tried to see how much alcohol, pot, diet pills a person could do and still function.
It just about burned me out. Later I got hooked up with 3 studio musicians from St. Petersburg Fla. Quit the bad habits and went back to playing drums. Had a great time.
I still have my old Stella even though she is far beyond playable. I do still play my other guitar.
As crazy as it all was I don't think I would change a thing. I really learned a lot more than chord progressions and scales during that period.
Peace,
gordon