We blew the dust off my son’s Christmas present and put it in its case. I picked it and the amp up and loaded it in the back of my car. My son sat in the front seat, eager, yet a little nervous. We listened to Zac Brown Band’s guitarist Clay Cook’s solo album. Clay can tear up a guitar.
He first saw his teacher when we pulled into the parking lot. Gravel crunched under the tires as my son quietly sized him up. My son’s instructor’s a big guy with glasses and a big, bushy beard. My son quietly introduced himself to him as we walked to the studio.
John Mark Coon is one of the most talented people I know. He’s a multiple threat guy — artist, musician, singer and family man. And when I found out from my wife’s coworker (a music teacher) that he taught lessons, I jumped at the opportunity. He’s the kind of guy you want teaching your child.
I sat on the couch and watched my son enter a new world — the world of music. I saw him soak in John Mark’s instruction. I watched his small fingers try to pinch the notes out of the guitar. I saw him fail, get back up and then succeed. I smiled as my son’s eyes widened as John Mark played Stairway to Heaven. I watched a fire get lit in my child’s soul.
Last night he practiced until his fingers hurt. He played his new chord (an A) and I pulled a D harmonica out of the drawer and jammed with him. It was ten minutes of bliss.
I remember listening to the trytrytryGOT IT! Leaking out of my boys room. Now it’s awesome when they invite me over to listen to a new song they’re working on.
Matt is trying out for The Collegians this week. This is EC’s rock band that, until this time, was founded and led by Tom Carson. Man, I miss him. So does Matt.
Rock on, Ramsey. Rock on.