Question Of The Week: Have You Met A Famous Musician?
Being musicians and/or lovers of music, it's safe to say that we've attended a few musical events in our lives. Concerts, festivals, clinics, camps... Events that enhance the music and make it an engaging experience beyond just listening to an album or the radio.
And chances are that during our time at these events, we may have met a famous musician. Be it by chance or at a scheduled meet-and-greet, we're face to face with the person that plays our favorite song or was on a poster in our childhood bedroom. Which leads to this week's question...
Have you ever met a famous musician or your musical hero?
If you have, we hope you share a story with your fellow Folkcraft newsletter readers. Was it a pleasant experience? Were they nice and accommodating or rude and passive? Were you able to talk for a while or were you rushed? What did you say when you met them? Were you lucky enough to get a picture? Show it off!
Different times in opposite parts of the country with members of my all-time favorite band, Blind Melon.
All levels of "famous" and "hero" will work. From the guy who played 3rd flute on a Disney soundtrack all the way to Elvis... we want to hear from you!
Have you ever met a famous musician or your musical hero?
Your Answers
Have you ever met a famous musician or your musical hero?
Name: Wayne Anderson
Location: Kingston, ON Canada
"Yes, while in Germany with the Canadian Forces I volunteered at the Base Radio Station because of that I got to meet and interview many of Country Music's great stars. Memorable for me was an hour spent with Doc Watson, same with Tammy Wynette and Charlie Pride. Recent years have met many of our wonderful and well known dulcimer community. Each of these great folks have found to be wonderful, humble and warm human beings. A pleasure to get to know them."
Name: Docterry McGrath
Location: West Chester PA
"Working and performing for over 40 years at the Philadelphia Folk Festival I have been blessed to meet many famous and infamous people. I am delighted to say that 99% of the performers I have met were wonderful, down to earth folks who were happy to talk/jam/perform with me...Arlo Guthrie and I had a marvelous talk about following in your Father's footsteps without having to Be your Father... Michael Doucet once played my Great Grandfather's hand made violin from 1870 as I played hammered dulcimer.... But getting to meet, take lessons from and befriend Bill Spence has been a joy of my life. Bill and Jim Croce (And David Bromberg) were the reason I got into folk music in the late 60s... And getting to know him as a friend has made the circle complete. Attached is a poor photo of a really cool sketch of Bill and I playing in 2007 at the Philly Folk Fest...thanks Linda for the sketch :)"
Name: Cyndi
Location: Evansville, in
"Absolutely! I used to work in radio. Top of the list, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Waylon Jennings, Marc O'Conner, from the Steep Canyon Rangers, Nicky Sanders, Woody Platt, Graham Sharp, and Sierra Hull, Mike Compton plays mandolin as part of the Soggy Bottom Boys in OLd Brother Where Art Thou and played with John Hartford's band, Sam Bush"
Name: JLT
Location: Sacramento CA
"At college back in the sixties, I ushered for a Simon and Garfunkel concert. My usher's pass got me backstage after the concert and my date and I had a nice hour-long chat with the guys."
Name: Ken, th' ol' Desert Rat
Location: El Paso Texas
"Back in about 2003 - 2004 I was stationed in Germany with Kris Kristofferson. He was a helicopter pilot and I flew Photo Recon Drones. He and a couple friends provided song and dance music for company parties every month and they played at my party when I was promoted to Staff Sergeant. That was before he became somewhat famous."
Name: Betty S.
Location: Bluffton, OH
"I met Pete Seeger a few years ago at a concert in Easton, MD. He was out on the sidewalk near the concert venue; my husband urged me to go up and talk with him - my hero since the 60s! He was so personable and down-to-earth, immediately deflecting my comments about appreciation for his work to praising Guy Davis who was playing with him that night (along with grandson Tao Rodriguez-Seeger). I had heard Seeger in the late 60s in D.C., and this concert was no less wonderful, in a different way. His voice was wavering, but his fingers were still nimble on the banjo. What a privilege to hear him again, let alone talk with him! He was a man of integrity and courage - and one of the great folk artists!"
Name: John C.
Location: Durango, Co.
"I had a blessed childhood, growing up in the folk music community! I took guitar lessons from Bess Hawes when I was 10 years old, and sat in on a finger picking class with Pete Seeger at the Idylwild Folk Festival when I was around 12 (both were such kind and gentle souls). I sang at my cousin's wedding in the early 70s, and Joan Baez attended the reception. She brought with her a copy of the master tape for Davids Album, which she had just finished that day. What a gracious lady she is! I have had the pleasure of singing with Rock a Billy legend Sonny Flarehty in recent years, as well as getting acquainted with two of my song writing heroes, Jan Garrett and J.D. Martin! I am indeed a fortunate man."
Name: Christine S.
Location: Clawson, MI
"Funny story about my amp shopping... I went to Guitar Center with my Dulciborn Mountain Dulcimer to test out several. Considering my instrument and my middle age status, I practiced up beforehand so I wouldn't embarrass myself in front of all the young guys there. So I plug in and let loose with my spin on Little Liza Jane - which is on YouTube, mistakes and all. In case you're interested, it's at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS9PAgUI8AfFoxZFZ_XsTcQ After I finished, I heard applauding so I looked up and there's a small crowd - which made me very nervous as I have bad stage fright. One older gentleman said to me Wow! That was so cool! What tuning are you using? From the phrasing of the question, I assumed he was a dulcimer player too and I simply replied C-g-c. That's it. That's all I said. I was so nervous I forgot to even thank him for the compliment. Then I went on to the next room to pick up a new mic stand and various items. The salesman who was helping me asked if I saw Bob Seger when I was out in the other room. I said that I didn't and he thought that was rather odd because Mr. Seger was there the same time I was. I didn't think much about it as I was still a little shaky and just wanted to complete my transaction and go home. Later that night I got to thinking about the events of the day and decided to check out Seger on the internet to see what he looks like these days and if maybe I had seen him and just didn't know it. Yep, you guessed it... that was the older gentleman who spoke to me at Guitar Center! OMG - and I didn't even say thank-you!!! And that is what stage fright gets you, eh? You blow off Bob Seger, one of the biggest rock icons ever. Sigh Well, it could have been worse. Had I known who he was at the time, not only would have I been unable to play but probably would have embarrassed myself worse by being all star-struck and prattling on and on about my favorite songs of his, right? ;-)"
Name: Mary J
Location: Indiana
"Ray and I attended a concert by Jake Shimabukuro in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We were so close to the stage but weren't allowed to take any pictures at the concert. However, after the concert we had the opportunity to meet Jake. He was friendly and autographed several programs and CDs for us. We also had several pictures taken with him - I even received a couple of hugs from him. He didn't rush us along - very nice guy. He was awesome... he is my ukulele hero! I would definitely encourage any ukulele player to attend one of his concerts."