Hi Bob,
To type this would have taken me too long, and I
wanted to thank you sooner: besides hand written is more personal, and that is
what I wanted it to be.
The computer and technology is fine sometimes, but it never reveals enough.
So...thanks for
the entry you created for me on the Guild website.
It is fantastic, and your comments made my day, week, month and without a
doubt longer.
The info I had prepared to send to you was merely a rearrangement of the
brochure, so you covered it all by posting the entire brochure.
My wife and daughter-in-law were with me when I opened the website, and
there was quite a lot of jaw dropping going on in my kitchen.
You thanked me, but it is truly a pleasure to be a part of Sugar
Loaf and absolutely my good fortune to have met you.
I began reading your book, and on page 5 it was almost an epiphany.
Here's why.
In college I loved playing the guitar, writing songs, and performing.
I got quite good, won the college talent show one year.
Now I pick up my guitar and play for awhile but always seem unfulfilled.
It used to be the most fun I could imagine.
I had lost the reason to play (until page 5 of your book).
I want to, therefore, refocus on reaching the level at which I used to
play.
My focus was always on learning to play blues riffs.
Previously I focused on a destination of absolute perfection, and when I of
course discovered I couldn't reach it, the tasks became too daunting.
When I put the guitar back in its case I was always saddened a bit.
Who wants to do that again?
So the intervals between playing got longer and longer.
Now your book's page 5 slaps me in the face with: "Well, don't you dare be
like that! Realize early that getting there in music is not half the fun, it
is all the fun. Use your critical sense as a guide to improvement, but focus
on the fun of the process."
James Taylor (one of my favorites) sang that the secret to life is enjoying
the ride.
Up till yesterday I think I had lost my way musically.
Thank you for the wake-up call.
Now I can't wait to read more of your book and get back to my guitar that I
have had since 1965.
I can't wait to play for fun, sing down memory lane and feel the calluses
begin to appear on my finger tips.
With your help I have been truly inspired.
I had hoped that my shop in Sugar Loaf would bring to me the opportunity to
inspire others—to help them along their paths.
Little did I know it would bring to me people
that can help me also.
I am convinced now that my little shop in
Sugar Loaf is one of the best places I can be.
Thanks again for everything.
Randy