Christmas 2014

In this episode - Christmas 2014 . . .

Has it been eight years already? With Christmas quickly approaching, I’m reminded that 2014 was about re-inventing myself; I’d asked Santa for a new electric guitar, and I began dreaming.

Why a guitar? Allow me to set the stage for you. Bradley University, Saturday night, 1977, Peoria, Illinois, the rock band Boston had just released their first album the previous year titled “Boston.” I wore that album out, playing it repeatedly. When Boston played on stage that night, it was magic. We were there! I fell in love with the idea of playing guitar.

“It’s more than a feeling; when I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling), I begin dreaming.”

Why wait? I thought, do something! Everything I’d read kept encouraging me; dare to dream, re-invent yourself go back to what you loved as a child. It’s never too late to learn something new. So, I did. Every morning I began practicing on my old acoustic guitar. At first basic chords, man, was that tough. And rather boring. I struggled to play some Buddy Holly songs. Simple enough, three cords and a few short licks. Not so. It took me six months to develop the finger strength and coordination to play a G chord with consistent results. Try it sometime.

We decided I needed a little inspiration, Lori and I made a trip to Corona, California, to visit the Fender factory (being remodeled). We toured the factory to witness how the famous Stratocaster, now 60+ years old, was made. When you enter the factory store, immediately on your left is a life-size photo of Buddy Holly and his original 1958 Sunburst Stratocaster that was made famous on the Ed Sullivan Show. The tour included the visitor center, which displayed images, and guitars of prominent players who had played a Fender. Jimi Hendrix, Buddy Guy, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Dick Dale, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton. That was an exciting day for me.

After the tour, we stopped in the demo room and strummed a few chords on an American Standard 60th Anniversary Stratocaster. What an incredibly light action. It was so easy to play. And, of course, I wanted a Stratocaster.

Since that visit to Fender, I’ve practiced chords daily, studied music theory, played some Buddy Holly songs, watched many musicians play live, and marveled at some fantastic guitar work by Chet Atkins, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Tommy Emmanuel.

I’m retraining my brain and my fingers. It’s a high I never dreamed possible.

So, it’s 45 years later; today, I’m playing the intro licks to Boston’s most famous song, More Than A Feeling. Sounds a little crazy at my age, but that year, Santa finally brought what I’ve always wanted: an electric guitar. It’s a beauty. A Fender Sunburst Stratocaster. Well, technically, it’s a Squire made by Fender, but who cares - it’s magnificent. And sounds great!

“Santa knows; he always knows.”

So my listening friends, dare to dream, re-invent yourself, and return to what you loved as a child. It’s never too late to learn something new. You just might surprise yourself.

“It’s more than a feeling; when I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling), I begin dreaming.”

I’m Patrick Ball; thanks for listening, Have a Merry Christmas! See you in the next episode.