The only reason that I play the guitar today is a rather interesting
story. I had always had an interest in playing but lacked a decent instrument.
This always seemed to have a negative effect on my ability to learn how
to play.
Shortly after I met Jody, back around '72, and after
several late night picking sessions, by Jody and others, I mentioned that
I had an interest in learning to play guitar. That was probably one of
the most important, off hand comments, that I ever made in my life. After
a short discussion about the lack of finances, due to being a college
student at the time, we headed off to the music store and purchased a
nice gut string guitar for under a hundred bucks. The only way this was
accomplished was because Jody knew the guy who owned the store and he
talked him into putting the guitar on a one year note, which Jody cosigned.
Even I could come up with about $10 a month.
I have never forgotten this because I had known Jody
for less than a month and I couldn't figure out why he would do something
like that for someone he barely knew. Jody spent a fair amount of time
teaching me how to play. Over the years I saw this same scenario of generousity
repeated time and again and it never ceased to amaze me. Jody would stick
his neck out for a total stranger and would never ask for anything in
return. Did he ever get burned? You're danged right he did. Did it ever
stop him from having faith in the next fellow that came along? Not in
the least.
At that time I had no idea where meeting this guy would
lead to. I met so many people from so many walks of life. There is absolutely
no doubt in my mind that my life was and still is enriched through knowing
Jody. Every time that I pick up a guitar, which is pretty much daily,
I can't help but think, "Gracias, mi amigo".
I know that neither of us ever dreamed that thirty years later I
would be playing guitars and mandolin for a church worship team, but I
am. I've also written many instumental guitar pieces. Below is a link
to January Morn. A piece inspired by those bitterly cold mornings at the
end of January in Minnesota. The sun shining, blue skies, thirty below
zero, no breeze and you can see the moisture freezing in the air. It looks
like glitter. This is where that one little statement and an very giving
individual led to. It is only me playing an acoustic guitar that is tuned
EBEEBE. No overdubs, no additional tracks, just a single guitar and the
gift of a song.
January
Morn
~ Marshall ~ 
