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"Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things" - George Carlin

1. USE ...... When I'm thinking about buying a guitar, I think about the type I want for a specific use - a jumbo or dread naught "boomer"  for playing bluegrass/country,  an auditorium or folk size size for playing folk/finger-picking, concert size for song-writing, travel size for easily taking along on camping or raft trips, etc. Do I plan to use it as one of my "stage" guitars? Use it for jam sessions? A creek-bank "beater"?

2. PRICE ......... I usually have a specific price range in mind for each of the "use" categories listed above.

3.  CONSTRUCTION ....... I expect the guitars in each price range to exhibit appropriate build, component and wood quality,  I expect the cheaper "beater" guitars to need a little TLC before being playable.

4. SOUND ......... This is what its all about, right?  Sometimes minor adjustments or even changing string gauges can contribute to a better sound so I don't immediately write off a guitar that meets my other criteria.

5. FIT & FEEL ........  A guitar should feel comfortable to play, especially if you spend 4-5 hours a week playing at jam sessions as I often do, or sit for hours working on writing songs.

6. APPEARANCE ......... To me guitars are tools to be used, not wall hangers to look at. I much prefer the look of an older guitar that shows some "character" and has some stories to tell, rather than one that depends on bling to make a statement.

Right now I'm in a waiting game Jeff.  My daughter in St. Cloud won't be around to visit that weekend so I can't make a "two-fer" trip out of it.  Also, our "Foothill Folk Society" group has done a yearly winter concert at Ohio University each year in the late January-early February time frame,  but this year it will be sometime in March.  The university hasn't given us a confirmed date yet so we're waiting to hear from them.  Hopefully I'll know more in the next couple weeks.  Right now the odds are pretty slim that I'll make it to Chordiestock.

DE

I live about 50 miles south of Columbus, near Chillicothe ,OH, part of the Appalachian foothills with its forests and rolling hills.  It has always suited my lifestyle,  as there is a lot of access to hiking and biking trails as well as many canoeing and kayaking streams in southern OH as well as nearby KY and WV.  At one time I considered moving to the Knoxville, TN area as there are even more outdoor activities available.

Now that I'm older, if I was to move to a different area it would be Pensacola, FL where my oldest daughter and her family have lived for 20 years.  The weather is a little more moderate and not as hot as south FL (it sometimes gets a little chilly in the winter months), there is access to the gulf, bay and streams for water-related sports, bike trails and beautiful beaches along the Gulf Islands National Seashore.  The down-town area has a lot of small shops and restaurants and there is a real appreciation of art, music, and theater with performances all year long at local venues.  In October the Pensacola Beach songwriter's event attracts songwriters from all over the country.  Its just a 3-hour drive to get to New Orleans if you want to hear some Dixieland or Jazz, 6 hours to Nashville or Muscle Shoals and 7 hours to get to Topdown's annual Chordiestock event.  Its another area you might want to check out.

DE

No problem Bill.  Wnen's your birthday?  I turn 68 on March 1st.

DE

Thanks Bill, and Merry Christmas from the Willis household to you and Dondra.  I hope 2018 blesses you with better health and much happiness.

Phill, I know you meant well, but the bird of paradise flying up your nose is actually a curse.  The song was written by Neil Merritt and recorded by Little Jimmy Dickens. As I recall, the chorus of the song was :

"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose"
"May an elephant caress you with his toes"
"May your wife be plagued with runners in her hose"
"May the bird of paradise fly up your nose"

But of course I may have misunderstood and you meant it like the phrase "break a leg" which sounds bad is meant to be good luck.  In any case I know we all wish the best for Bill and Dondra.

DE

Welcome !!

DE

Hi Pete!  I live just south of you in in the Chillicothe area. Sounds like we like to listen to the same type music, and although I write a lot of songs I'm way behind your skill level in music theory.  I'm looking forward to your input in the site. Welcome aboard.

DE

Yeah CG, Darrell Scott has a style and voice that always tugs at the heartstrings of my Appalachian roots.  My favorite song that he wrote is about southeast KY where my Dad's family was from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtSLMGc4VSA

DE

99% of the songs I've written have started with the lyrics. Many were in response to something interesting I have read or something someone said which gave me an idea for a hook.  Other times my inspirations have been due to my experiences (songs about family, friends, farming, kayaking, camping, etc)  Many song ideas have come to mind while driving.  I turn off the radio and just enjoy watching my surroundings and soon lyrics and music ideas begin trickling into what few brain cells I have left.  I've driven from Ohio to Florida several times to visit family and have never turned on the radio - usually resulting in a couple songs per trip.  Once I come up with lyrics, the next step is come up with the time signature, key, tempo, etc that supports the "mood" of the song.  (Usually referred to a "prosody")

As a crossword puzzle fanatic, I've noticed that words that I can't think of in the morning usually will pop into my brain in the evening and vice-versa.  I've also noticed a difference in songs I've written in mornings or evenings. 

DE