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Back when the Beatles stirred things up musically, I was eight years old.
And that is when the guitar bug bit. At the same time, my grandfather saw my
new interest in learning how to play the guitar and turned me on to Chet.
Wow! From that point on, almost every dime of my weekly allowance was spent
on buying Chet's latest album. It wasn't until 1971 however, that I actually
had the opportunity to see him play. It was in Abilene TX during the time
Boots, Floyd and Chet were putting on the festivals of music tours. I will
never forget that night actually seeing him play in person. I was only 16 at
the time but by then I was absolutely fascinated with everything he played.
When he played "Blue Angel", I thought I was in heaven! Until I saw him play
that, I thought he was playing it in Bbm rather than Am. Regardless, I was
"enthralled" (as Paul Yandell puts it) with how his hands moved over the
fingerboard so gracefully. Through a mutual friend I was able to meet Tommy
Jones when he lived in Brentwood and played at Boot's club. I knew then by
watching Tommy play how much of a musical influence Chet had been to so many
of us who loved the guitar. After the show, I asked my folks to let me see if we could go
backstage to meet Chet. Since my dad and twin brother were fans too, we did.
Luckily, we got to meet Chet and in doing so, a dream became reality.
My regret is that I wasn't as fortunate as many
who got to establish a relationship with Chet, not only for the musical
benefit, but because the kind of man he was. The world could use more men
like him.
- Larry Barnes
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