Topic: My one year goal had icing on the cake
I had a great time last weekend at my Dad's house. He had a small gathering of friends for a backyard barbeque... chicken over applewood... YUM! It was very low key and relaxed. When it finally started getting dark there were about 9 people total including myself. I decided it was time to get out the guitars! Come to find out, my dad's been playing ALL THESE YEARS on a 3/4 size Fender! I knew he had a Fender, but I never realized that his guitar was a 3/4 size. I've only seen his guitar ONCE since I started playing and at the time I had my 3/4 Ibanez, I guess it just didn't click that his was a 3/4 too. I thought it was funny, there I was... little 5' 0" me with my big dread, and there my Dad was all 6' 0" with his little 3/4 acoustic! I had to chuckle... but that was very soon thrown aside when I heard the SOUNDS come out of that little guitar! WOW! He really needs to change his strings, the low E was quite dead sounding, yet it still sounded TONS better than mine and the action was incredible. I will guess that his guitar dates to the late 50's as he said he's had it since he started playing as a boy. It probably didn't cost much then and would have been considered an entry level guitar... but it sure sounded better than my entry level Epi with the laminate top. I gave up trying to play at the same time he was, together, because it just made mine sound worse and worse! ha ha!
Anyhow, there was another fella there that could pick and play and it was really nice hearing him. It's obvious he hasn't done too much playing lately, but after he warmed up he put out some nice tunes. Then the three of us took turns playing a few songs. My dad proudly claims that he is ONLY a rhythm guitarist. I either pick or strum... but not both at the same time! 
I had a few requests from my Dad's girlfriend as she's been listening on YouTube and soundclick. There are a few songs that my dad still plays, but can't quite hit the notes to sing... so we did also sing together and I carried him through a few choruses on songs like "Wildfire" 
and he helped me out with some of the words for Running Bear (but Dad never was too good at remembering lyrics. He says, "one or two verses max, no one cares anyway they just want to hear the chorus!" LOL). After everyone but family had gone home, we went inside and got some music out and played a bit more. He really needs some new books as his are literally in pieces! Along with the same guitar, these are the same books I remember turning the pages in as a child who could just barely read (you know, back when I learned "wildfire"). Dad was really REALLY enjoying having someone else to talk with about guitars and music. Of course, I was as well! It was really a great time.
When all was said and done, he called me up a few days later. He just wanted to tell me what a great time he had playing with me, that the guitars were the highlight of his evening, and he was super impressed with how far I've come with my playing as well as the number of songs I've managed to memorize. I picked up the guitar last year, just around Labor Day because Dad wasn't playing so well last year with his elbow and back issues. My goal was to be able to ensure there would always be a guitar at my Dad's summer parties. What a blessing to have had two guitars, and three players!
What constitutes excellent music is in the ears of the listener.
GREATLY appreciated the thought!! Here's a link to the song for those interested in seeing the chorus!! 
