Each guitar has its own character and personality, which can be magnified once the player engages in beatin' it up

When I was around 7 or 8 my Dad took me to a B.B. King recording session, well, that really did it. Huge and lasting impressions. After all that I pretty much knew playing guitar was something I was going to do because I just had to do it. And I did.

A blown-out tube ripped some of the grind from the amplifier, throwing us into a momentary tizzy. The unusual sound led me to play unusually, and the recorded take turned out to be a keeper. Insriration can come from the most unlikely places ... keep your head on and your ears open.

Every once in awhile I'll call up Eddie (Van Halen) and ask, Found that fourth chord yet?

If you're really looking for something in particular, it helps to take your time.

Sooner rather than later, any other form other than digital media will be a thing of the past. It won't vanish, but let's face it, this is seemingly the way of the future.

The blues is a mighty long road. Or it could be a river, one that twists and turns and flows into a sea of limitless musical potential.