History and Funk - part one

I enjoy history. Stories. I'm talking about the kind of history you get when you sit down and talk with your grandparents. The stories about that one great-uncle of yours who died as a war hero, or maybe he ran some backwoods bar during prohibition. The stories of people like Sam Phillips, founder of Sun Records, who gave us rock and roll with out even knowing it.

     Americana.
Maybe that's the word I'm looking for.
     I've come face to face with Americana over the years at my job. I work in a small music store in the corner of south east Texas. Each day I have the privilege of repairing and restoring all manner of guitars. I have been given a close up view of the history of Fender, Gibson, Gretsch and others. Pedal steels, fiddles, acoustic guitars and mandolins. All little pieces of American history, my workshop the museum. And the stories that come with these guitars are just as rich and full of heritage as any story your grandparents my have told you.

     My history with both music and repair has come to the forefront of my thinking lately. As well as the history of this small business that affords me the opportunity to tinker with fifty year old guitars.
     So, for the next twelve months I will be writing about one repair project a month. Guitar, bass or otherwise. Don't worry there will be plenty for me to choose from. I will attempt to teach a few things about the repairs that I do... and of course tell stories. These will be the stories of south east Texas' guitars and stories of the people who love and play them. These will be stories of my family and the people I love. Twelve months. Twelve chances for us, together, to look into life, love and history. Twelve projects and challenges for me to overcome. Hopefully we can learn some new things together.