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Once again, it's time for the FNGT!

If you don't know how this works, . That link will take you to another site to give you some additional information and tell you about some of our off-site features. That's also the site where we will host the weekly guitar threads, should Poal go down.

NOTE: That site is by invitation only. If you want an invite, and you're a regular participant, then just ask Crazy, or myself.

If you do know what's going on, you probably don't need to click that link - but you may want to, to make sure you know of the other features, such as the archive or a separate forum that's invite only.

Remember, we are guests here on Poal. Let's act like it. If you're interested in supporting Poal, then .

**Once again, it's time for the FNGT!** If you don't know how this works, [click this link](https://fngt.gq/index.php?page=intro). That link will take you to another site to give you some additional information and tell you about some of our off-site features. That's also the site where we will host the weekly guitar threads, should Poal go down. **NOTE:** That site is by invitation only. If you want an invite, and you're a regular participant, then just ask Crazy, or myself. If you do know what's going on, you probably don't need to click that link - but you may want to, to make sure you know of the other features, such as the archive or a separate forum that's invite only. Remember, we are guests here on Poal. Let's act like it. If you're interested in supporting Poal, then [you can donate](https://poal.co/donate).

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[–] • 1 pt

LOL I did a whole lot of studio session work over my career. I played on all sorts of stuff, but nothing all that famous. If you're in the southern part of the country (for example) you're old enough to have heard my work in a television commercial. I was in an almost-famous band that did a US tour in 1974/1975. That was interesting.

When I retired, I did a tour with a fairly famous cover band - mostly by accident. I didn't want to do it, but I was talked into it. So, I signed the contract and went out and did like four shows a week for about six months, replacing their lead guitarist who'd been involved in an accident and couldn't perform. I helped 'em finish the tour.

I've been in more bands than I can count. Along the way, I've both opened for and shared the stage with a few names you'd recognize. I don't normally name drop, and I respect folks privacy, but it has been a hell of a life. All those hours learning to play a guitar resulted in doors being opened for me that I'd otherwise have never known about. I've got a wealth of experience and treasured memories.

I traveled a lot for work, but I'm a member of the musician's union. So, I'd often sit sets (for pay, preferably) at various places around the country. Wherever I worked, I'd try to find a paying gig - even if just to keep me mentally engaged during the weekends. So, I've played blues in Chicago, jazz in Louisiana, country in Tennessee, and alternative in underground clubs across the east coast.

Guitar enabled all that. That's what gave me the chance to have those experiences. I don't regret them at all, even if some of the experiences kinda sucked.

[–] • 1 pt

Amazing, you need to write a book. I knew you had done 'some' things but that is crazy. What a life.

A lot of people can play, but few get to do what you've done.

We used to get really discouraged going to hear live bands, all the talent out there, now all you have to do to get depressed is search the internet, even girls are tearing it up.

I know you gotta practice but I'm a believer in you 'either got it or you don't.'

I'd be on stage shaking so bad I couldn't even hit the notes, that's why I switched to bass, you can screw up and it's okay, depending. I don't know how you guys do it.

>I was in an almost-famous band that did a US tour in 1974/1975.

That sounds like The Fabulous Thunderbirds lol but they did achieve some fame.

> lead guitarist who'd been involved in an accident

Wow. I knew Vince Vance's lead guitarist Richard Heath and he was killed in a wreck going home after a gig.

https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/10/31/Two-members-of-a-Dallas-based-rock-group-Vince-Vance/8015404884800/

[–] • 0 pt

I don't think of myself as a 'good' guitarist. (I'm really good, I know that.) I think of myself as a "well practiced" guitarist.

The difference between me and every other guitar player is that I've consistently put in 2 hours of practice every day. Sure, I missed some days, but those days were more than made up for when I'd have a guitar in my hand for six hours a day on a weekend.

I don't think I have some innate talent. I started off with fumbling fingers, just like everyone else. The difference is, I'd keep working on the hard stuff until I got it right. Even today, I try to practice (productive practice, not noodling but deliberate exercises) at least a couple of hours a day.

It probably also helps that I started off studying classical guitar with a pretty great teacher. I suggest to people who want to 'shred' learn classical guitar first - and those skills easily translate to other genres.

As for a book... You know, people say that to me all the time. They're always saying I should write a book. I don't think I ever will, but I certainly write enough to look like a book, or at least a novella.

[–] • 1 pt

You know what, and I totally believe that YOU believe that (about you not believing you have innate talent)...

But I just can't accept that!

I would love to be wrong (and who am I to disagree with someone like you?), but good grief, I don't believe, no matter how much I would have practiced, that I'd have reached a modicum of your ability (okay maybe a modicum).

Trust me, I want to believe what you're saying, and I'm going to keep trying to figure it out, find the truth.

Man you are to be admired for all that hard work!

Who knows.........