Skippy

Okay, I’m in a rare posting mood. My brother David just sent me a link of a Buster B Jones and Thom Bresh gig, where they play the tune “Skippy” (Peanut Butter and Jelly). So, I am sharing the YouTube with those of you who love good guitar picking.

I love these guys. They are two of the best pickers alive, although I would be hard-pressed to say who is the best: there are folks like Jerry Reed, Doyle Dykes, Tommy Emmanuel, Mark Knopfler, Bruce Keener ( in his dreams) to consider, too. Buster is probably the fastest and most error-free of all, but it is hard to say. I’ve heard that Chet once said that the only player he would pay to go see would be Doyle Dykes. Not sure if that is true, or not, but Chet was always open to learning from everybody he could, even though he was the undisputed best guitar player of all. No doubt that was one of the things that made him the best. (Personally I think the only player I would pay to see would be Jerry Reed, but I sure admire Buster and Thom and Doyle and Tomm and Mark and more.)

I think the world of Thom. When Dad was in the hospital, a couple of months before he passed away, Thom called him and talked with him for about 30 minutes. That meant so very much to Dad. Dad grew up admiring Thom’s Dad, the legendary Merle Travis, and for him to get to know Thom a bit meant a lot to him. David and I will be forever grateful to Thom for this.

Anyway, here’s the video:

Impressive stuff, isn’t it!

By the way, back to the talk of who is the best guitar picker today: doesn’t really matter to me. I can say my all-time favorites are Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed. They inspired me the most. Then comes Dad after that, and then me, not because I am that good, but because I can play what I want to hear, when I want to hear it.

When I want to listen to a tune, I can pick up the guitar and play it, without having to rummage through iTunes or CDs, without having to try to remember who played it, and so on. That’s the reason I play now … for me. In a good week I may play 3 hours a week (some weeks I do not play at all)… to really be in good form, I should play that much everyday, at the very least. But, I don’t care … when music comes into my head and inspires me, I pick up the guitar. So, in a sense, this talk of who is the best is really sort of mute to me, except of course for my admiration of all the great players.

Update: I just did an iTune’s purchase of Jerry Reed’s Foggy Bottom, which he recorded not too long ago (2006), so thank you Jerry for still playing. I thought he had quit, but after listening to this tune, he is my favorite picker, really always has been, and is just as creative as ever. Truly a creative genius.

Listening to this also convinced me that I will get a Multiac sometime this year. I had a Gibson STS, can’t remember the serial number, but was one of the first 100 made. I got the signed letter from Chet Atkins congratulating me on it buying it, etc. Was my very favorite guitar of all time. But, there came a time when I needed money more than the guitar (long story) and I sold it. Dumbest thing I have ever done. So, I guess a Multiac will be my replacement for it. I miss the sound.