My Les Paul in Action

WOW! I would have never thought that I would be playing this guitar much less own it! I have been playing guitar since a teenager and have always played modest guitars in low price ranges. I have always owned Fender somethings and love playing them. Growing up listening to and watching bands like the Allman Brothers Band, I fostered a love for a Gibson Les Paul.
I currently own a Fender Fat Strat that I absolutely love playing. I also have a Fender Tele that was my first guitar back in the 80's when I got serious and started bands and playing gigs. It did me well for a start up! I also still own my acoustic guitar i purchased in high school and it is still playing great!
It's a funny story but in the last few years and old friend from high school and I connected up via Facebook. Little did I know that he and his brother bought and sold guitars and amps. Several times in posting on FB he would randomly show me pics of guitars he wanted to sell me. My wife caught wind of it and asked if i was going to buy one. NO way honey! They are too much money. Time went on and then right before my last gig in Mansfield, he approached me, I mean tempted me, with a few Les Paul models he had to sell. I ended up borrowing one for the gig that weekend to try out and, well, never gave it back. SOLD!
I absolutely love this guitar and NEEDED this guitar! It's a Gibson Les Paul Classic 05 model gold top. It is in mint condition and plays great! I think that made my night for the performance then knowing I was playing the best there is in my opinion. I asked my wife that if I danced on stage during a song ( I do not dance) would she let me buy this guitar! Of course she said yes; and yes I did a dance.
Check it out in the picture. That is me at Farr Best Theater with my Les Paul in action!

Comments? Discussion?

Back In Time Band

I never dreamed I would be performing concerts and getting paid to play! I had been thinking about and talking to some previous band friends about getting a band together to play my 40 year high school reunion. That is one of my bucket list items to play my high school reunion. Our 40th is coming up in 2013 and if  I don't play this one, it won't happen.

In Feb of 2012 I started making phone calls to guys I had played with in other bands and before I knew it I had a commitment from two guys; the drummer and a guitar / vocals guy. I then looked up a guy that played bass for me more than 10 years ago and is the BEST bass player I know.  I searched the internet and found him in Mansfield, Texas right where he was 10 years ago. I made the call and he overwhelmingly said yes to playing again. The guitar guy I already recruited recalled another name I had not heard for over 10 years that plays keyboard and piano. I searched the internet and found him also and made the call. He's in for sure!

Our first rehearsal was in March 2012 in the living room of the bass player, Darryl. We banged our way through a dozen classic rock songs and I was amazed it sounded so well for the first rehearsal. We rehearsed another time and decided we needed a second strong vocal. Our drummer, Steve (drummy) plays in another band and called his lead vocal guy. He said he would do our gig as well so now we have, Stan on guitar and vocals, Steve (drummy), Darryl on bass, Jet on keyboard, Dave on guitar and vocals, and me on lead and rhythm guitar.

Over the next several months we rehearsed once a month. All the band members are in the same are except I was 100 miles away so I drove the practice each time and home. It was well worth the drive to jam with these guys. The next thing I know we are booked to play a paying gig.

We played a classic rock concert on September 29, for 150 people with a 2 hour set list of classic hits from the 70's. We rocked the house and they loved us. In fact Farr best has since called and booked us again. We never planned it this way!

Just a note: Darryl our bassman played with Stevie Ray Vaughn in the early days and is incredible! Steve (drummy) is a sound tech for several churches and know his stuff man. Jet on keyboard was a concert pianist at age 21 and rocks. Dave plays acoustic guitar like no one else. Stan can sing country and knocks out some classic rock leads like no body's business. Me, I have been playing guitar since i was a kid and this is my fourth band to start and have fun with. By the way between all these guys we have enough sound equipment to play anywhere. Go figure!