I sang tonight. And playd the guitar (although sloppily). Gol dang, 15+years of

[Redstone]

no practice and innumerable Parliament Lights, and I've still got it. (The voice part at least, if not the guitar-playing part, and boy are my fingertips sore).

Thank you, Mr Kauzo Yairi, for the wonderful guitar you made for me. Maybe some day I'll repay you for doing that, by being able to play it once again to the level it deserves to be played.

Redstone

[merh]

1. Glad the spirit moved you and you were up to

the rhythm and sound.

I love to read your smile. :hi:

:hug: :loveya:

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Redstone!

How cool to see you tonight!

You'll get back your guitar-playing skills, I'm sure of it...

Just keep playing!

Sounds like you're feeling better!

:hug:

[ThomCat]

3. Good for you, Redstone!

I always regret that I never learned a musical instrument. I always wanted to, but was never allowed to learn one as a kid. We were too poor, and my dad worked nights so he slept during the day. I wouldn't have been allowed to practice.

Now, of course, I don't have enough use of my hands. I would have had to give it up anyway.

I admire people who can play music. It is a wonderful skill to have. :)

[abq e streeter]

4. That's GREAT ! I'm happy for you, and assume you're awfully damn proud

of your perseverance. You should be.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. Woo hoo! What did you play?

[Redstone]

6. "Sweet Mary from Dungloe," "If I had a pony," and "Long black veil." Oh, and also

"I remember Jessie," which is one of my songs.

Redstone

[livetohike]

8. Nice!

:hi: I'm sure you were great!

[Bertha Venation]

7. Redstone, this is the best post I have read all week.

I wish I had been there. :hug:

:yourock:

[graywarrior]

9. Soooo happy to see you here again!

[Redstone]

19. I'm still here. Beat to hell, but not defeated. You know how we Yankees are.

Redstone

[Gormy Cuss]

10. Your guitar thanks you.

A fine musical instrument needs to be played.
I'll bet it felt great to be singing and playing no matter how wobbly the playing was.

[Redstone]

18. The guitar is a D-45 style, with abalone binding, and a cedar top (instead of the

usual spruce, to accentuate the bass). It was one of the last instruments that Mr Yairi built himself, for the 50th anniversary of Alvarez/Yairi's US importer (that was in 1982), and I'll treasure it forever.

Redstone

[coffeenap]

11. listening across the miles...good to see you here. nt

[liberaltrucker]

12. This thread is useless W/O video

You definitely still have it. Good to know you're better!

:grouphug:

[Redstone]

15. Last video I have is from 1986. I'll see if I can transfer

the VHS to a computer file.

Redstone

[merh]

13. kickin'

we need more Redstone happy news

[Redstone]

14. Hey, sweetie, I hope your new house is still working out for you...

You suffered for a long tme from your loss.

Redstone

[merh]

16. things are good

don't you worry - thank you though

you just focus on you and keep on singing. :hug:

[Redstone]

17. Will do. And good to hear all is well with you.

Redstone

[SeattleGirl]

20. Glad to know you still have a song in your heart, Redstone.

Bet you sounded good!

:pals:

[WCGreen]

21. Dude, I picked up a Guitar after I came out of the Hospital back in

2004. That's when I came out sick, had to wear the o2 since.

Anyway, I picked it up again after about 15 years and now I play at least an hour everyday.

It's a great way to take your mind away from the reality of illness.

And, you get better and it gives you a victory to celebrate...

Plus chicks dig a guitar player.

[Redstone]

23. And they especially dig an Autoharp player. My (female) German friend told me once,

"If you touch any woman like you touch that instrument, she'll be yours forever."

Which is why, of course, when I went to California to go on a date with the woman who became Mrs R, I brought my Autoharp.

It worked, just like my friend predicted. Maybe because when you play the Autoharp, you actually hug it to your chest, unlike most other instruments.

(Although maybe it's because you can't pick your nose while wearing all those fingerpicks.)

Redstobe

[bridgit]

22. That's great news, Redstone - Cheers!

:toast: