Well, I never got to meet my all time guitar hero, Chet Atkins. Merle Travis was another one that decided to depart this life before I got to meet him. BUT, in the last few years I have met and become friends with Paul Yandell, Chet's accompanist. Also Doyle Dykes has become a very good friend. We stay in touch with each other on a regular basis. I have become acquainted quite well with Tommy Emmanuel, a very warm and caring person. My playing at the CAAS and other venues has enabled me to get acquainted with many of my heroes that I otherwise wouldn't have. A somewhat unknown, nowadays, gospel finger style guitar player named Dwayne Friend is my biggest living guitar hero. Dwayne is the one that rekindled my desire to play guitar a few years back.
My friend, Paul Yandell, wrote a song called "I've Been Lucky." That's kinda the way I feel. I love to play guitar and I'm glad I have the opportunity to do so.
Thanks,
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