Life lesson: Dont underestimate a hippie with a POS guitar

mbgreen · Unread post by **mbgreen** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 6:27 am

Ok, so I went to a little party the other night. I meet this hippie-ish guy. You know, long messy hair, hemp necklace, old dirty clothes, and probably one of the nicest peoplel ever. We were having a few beers, and he was telling me about how every summer he just takes off and goes to some random place to hang out. (This summer, it was Minnesota. I dont know why, it just was.) On these summer adventures, the guy just brings his guitar and plays in front of busy stores or whatever with a money cup. He said he makes about $40-60 per day when he does it.

So, I tell the guy I play a little. He's like "cool...here's my pick (a 1.0mm fender,) and my guitar's on the couch inside. Have at it." Then he warns me that since he's too poor to buy strings, its strung a little funky, but still in tune. I pick up the beater (brand I'd never heard of, very road-weary.) Everything's normal except there's a b-string where the d is supposed to be, and an a-string where the g goes. Its felt funky, and was an octave off here and there, but it was still in standard. I pick it up, play a few tunes, and everyone's all "wow, good job." Hippie guy comes over, picks it up, and I swear: No Joke, this guys is as fast as Tim Reynolds, but plays with a slight bassy-bluegrass feel. It sounded like there was a whole fuckin band playing, the way he was hitting the base notes so quick and then going to individual stings. You think Dave mutes well and has a percussive sound? HA. This guy made dave look like some cheap knockoff of himself. AND he could sing. AND his melodies were incredible. We're not talking some shitty guitar center employee's shit...you know, the stuff where you're impressed but the music really has no hook (thats why he's working at guitar center, and not touring.) I mean, this guy shoulda had a record contract.

I was very, very humbled, and it made me realize that some people have this shit flowing through their veins...I'm a very mechanical player...and I have a looonnnng way to go.

Any other similar stories?

The Man of The Hour · Unread post by **The Man of The Hour** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 6:58 am

Holyyyy shit. You described that very well, I know exactly what you mean. One time walking the streets of Seattle I came about a guy playing for some money in front of a coffee shop. Immediately reminded me of Keller Williams...not necessarily the speed...but the melodies...just as you were saying. It kind of makes me want to throw away my computer and realize how much time i was on it...and just sit in my room and write beautiful tunes all day long.

Ranting Thespian · Unread post by **Ranting Thespian** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 8:02 am

wow, I would like to meet that guy, send him over to wisconsin here

I can't even make a few bucks where I play on the street anymore. Last summer, I would get over 20 a night, now I am lucky if I get 3 bucks for 4 hours of playing. It's almost like the people on state street (which is a huge strip mall of independant local stores, very nice, very cool place to hand out, and is known for it's street musicians) they just don't care, and just walk by without seeming to hear or see you exist. The other musicians agree with me, we get nothing.

Also, some of the coolest people on state street, are the homeless people. Don't under estimate anyone in raggy clothes that just wander around where they like from time to time, because they can be very nice, very inspriring, and like you said, very good at guitar.

DreaminBassMunky · Unread post by **DreaminBassMunky** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 1:12 pm

Sounds uber funky to me.

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 2:00 pm

sounds very very cool.

a lesson i'm still learning is never judge a book by it's cover...you'll pass by some of the greatest moments in life in terms of interactions with other people.

you gotta get a recording of his stuff...hehe. but definitely kudos for sharing the story. i get humbled a lot around this town. this is about the closest thing to a music scene in kansas. crazy stuff.

tbillie41 · Unread post by **tbillie41** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:03 pm

I know exactly what you mean. A few weeks ago I was riding the subway and I get off, and as I'm walking towards the steps to go up to the street I hear this amazing blues riff coming from around the corner. As I get around the corner I see this guy who didn't even look like he knew what a guitar was, let alone someone who could play the way he was. I tossed the guy a few bucks and went about my way with his sound in my head.

Ando · Unread post by **Ando** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:15 pm

tbillie41 wrote:I know exactly what you mean. A few weeks ago I was riding the subway and I get off, and as I'm walking towards the steps to go up to the street I hear this amazing blues riff coming from around the corner. As I get around the corner I see this guy who didn't even look like he knew what a guitar was, let alone someone who could play the way he was. I tossed the guy a few bucks and went about my way with his sound in my head.

Hell Yes... Shaggy! Scooby Doo Kicks Serious Ass...

Oh yeah.. I don't have any stories...

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:26 pm

hehe. silly andy. and Shaggy does kick.

Ando · Unread post by **Ando** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:29 pm

isaac wrote:hehe. silly andy. and Shaggy does kick.

lol.. man..

Seriously, I'm gonna look up the Cartoon Network Schedule and see when Scooby Doo is on.

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:30 pm

lol. i thought you'd be into stuff like Pokemon.

jk!

anyway, i can't really sit through an old scooby episode nowadays. i forgot how boring they were. lol.

Ando · Unread post by **Ando** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:32 pm

isaac wrote:lol. i thought you'd be into stuff like Pokemon.

jk!

anyway, i can't really sit through an old scooby episode nowadays. i forgot how boring they were. lol.

POKEMON!!?!!? AH ISAAC... HMMMM.... THAT'S A BIG STRIKE FOR YOU, MY FRIEND........ :wink:

But anyhow... I used to watch Scooby Doo all the time.. I even bought a few of their videos.

Did you ever see that one where the ghosts were actually real? That one was awesome!

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:34 pm

when'd we start gauging how big the strikes are?

and you took a jab at me, only fair that i do it to you! hah!

and yeah, i saw the one where the ghosts were actually real. i wouldn't call it awesome, but uh...you are andy after all.

Ando · Unread post by **Ando** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:35 pm

isaac wrote:when'd we start gauging how big the strikes are? and you took a jab at me, only fair that i do it to you! hah!

and yeah, i saw the one where the ghosts were actually real. i wouldn't call it awesome, but uh...you are andy after all.

Well.. Pokemon deserves enough for two strikes.. but we'll just call it 1 big 1...

But Wtf? it was awesome back in the day....

isaac · Unread post by **isaac** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:37 pm

fine fine. but i'd still take looney toons over scooby any day.

HAH!

and whoops, talk about a thread change...

Ando · Unread post by **Ando** » Mon Sep 01, 2003 3:40 pm

isaac wrote:fine fine. but i'd still take looney toons over scooby any day. HAH!

and whoops, talk about a thread change...

Looney Toons are good...

But back on subject sort of....

I did see a lady in Indy the other day, I'm pretty sure she was homeless...But she had a little change cup and she kept singin "JESUS!!!...... OHHHHH.... JESUS!!!!"

It was actually pretty sad..... but she had a nice voice

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Life lesson: Dont underestimate a hippie with a POS guitar

Life lesson: Dont underestimate a hippie with a POS guitar

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