Have you ever read articles from Rolling Stone magazine that lists the top 100 guitar players of all time? Maybe you remember VH1 having shows dedicated to something similar? Some greats that come to mind: Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Neil Schon.

This story is about a guitar player that won’t be found on those lists. He comes from a small town kind hall of fame where you play for the local 4th of July celebration every year or at the country club on a Saturday night by the pool, but he deserves so much more than that. He was born in Chilton County to a 17 year old girl. They didn’t have much but what they had was love and music. His mother was said to have made him his first guitar out of an old coffee can- something worth more now than the Gretsch he owns now. His cousin Jerry played guitar. In fact, Cousin Jerry owned a lime green Gretsch, a memory forever etched in this guitarist’s mind. Uncle Herman played guitar too.

At the age of 15, he was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration- not common for his age. As his eyes began failing  him, his ear took the lead. It was then when he picked up the guitar. I had once heard him say- “A lot of what music is, is what you feel.” “You have to feel it.” Boy, can he feel it!  It was some time later, he began to play in bands with other local musicians which later became life long friendships. And, as most stories go, this guitar player fell in love with a girl from Perry County. They dated throughout high school and were married when they were just 21 and 20  years old.  Music continued to be part of the soundtrack of their life. She would become a life long groupie and continues to support his love and passion for guitar. He finished college and began teaching. Teacher by day, rock star by night.

Family came later. Throughout these years, this guitarist continued to hon his craft. He also began teaching students how to play guitar. He then became a father of two girls. Music became very much part of their daily lives.  One daughter even became part of his band later on as an adult, inheriting a talent for singing. The other, let’s say, preferred to be behind the scenes. She hides a lot behind her pen and paper.

Now, grandchildren are a big part of this guitarist’s life. One might even follow in his big footsteps and play guitar (we hope!). So, you see, yes this is a story about the greatest guitar player of all time. All be it, he is an amazing guitarist (able to play a song by ear in a matter of seconds) but what truly what makes him the greatest is what he has chosen to do with his gift- he’s shared it with thousands, taught numerous others to play, and raised a loving family. You see so much of this is a miracle- he had choices he had to make based on his life circumstances. It would have been easy to give up when his eyes left him or the fact that he came from nothing. He chose the latter.

So, when you are listening to him play at your local event and think “Wow! This guy can play!” (which he can), remember there is so much more behind the man and his guitar- much like a song has verses, refrains, a chorus, a bridge, and outro.