Just had to archive this in my StringDancer blog. Ego is a terrible thing to waste. 😉
One of my favorite kings of twang, Will Ray, was doing a clinic in Muncie, Indiana a few years ago for Muncie’s premier music store, Muncie Music Center, where I worked as a guitar teacher for eight years after returning to Indiana from California in 2000. I had since moved back to southern Indiana, but the guys were kind enough to give me a jingle and ask me to sit in with Will onstage, which of course was my distinct pleasure.
I didn’t do too bad, I guess. My hands weren’t warmed up, and I was on a borrowed axe with a strap that was a tad too long for me. Those are my excuses and I’m sticking to ’em. 😉
It was a fun evening, and my little bit up there was over all too soon… would have loved the chance to really stretch out with the man and try some other genres on for size. Will is a walking encyclopedia of unique, cool and unpredictable guitar tricks. His use of slide rings (on both hands, no less), the Hipshot B-Bender, and a fertile imagination make him a player to fear, yet he is an affable, easy-going guy who just loves to play, and it shows. It was a gas to jam with the man, and I hope I get the chance to do it again sometime.
Thanks to all my old and dear friends at Muncie Music Center for the invitation. It was well-worth the trip up from Bloomington.
