Hey everybody, I've been in Austin for the past few days (which is why I haven't posted). I'm at this guitar camp thing, and I've been learning a lot of stuff. We did some Delta Blues today, with open tunings. I've always wanted to play that way but I didn't know anyone who could show me anything until today. It's a blast to be playing guitar all day!

Remember that question about getting a guitar autographed that I asked last week? And remember how I didn't want to y'all exactly what was going on since I didn't really know if it would happen? Well, now I can tell you.

Jimmie Vaughan came and played a show for us, and answered our questions between songs. He also played some songs for people who requested them. There was only about a hundred people there max, so it was a small venue with great sound. My Dad helped the sound guy work everything out in the sound check so in return the sound guy made sure there was a front row seat saved for him, which he gave to me. So I got a great view to steal all of Jimmie's licks.

He played Texas Flood, which I thought was awesome, especially since I had played Texas Flood on the same stage the night before. He also played Hide Away, which was cool but I was booked to play Hide Away in the student concert right after he and his band got their gear loaded up.
On the same stage again. So when I got back up there and played Hide Away I sort of freaked out and played it too fast.
Luckily he didn't hear me play that or I would have died... But people in the crowd thought that I was playing my own version of it, not making up some parts as I went because I was so scared I forgot half the song. They just thought I sped it up and added parts on purpose.
Playing the same song in front of the same crowd just a couple of hours after Jimmie Vaughan has been absolutely the scariest, yet coolest, thing I've ever done.

And after the concert I was able to meet him. I was a little worried about getting star struck, but it's really hard to around him. He's a really nice guy. I did have him sign my guitar, on the back of the headstock where I don't have to worry about it when I'm playing.
I didn't ask any Stevie questions or talk about myself or anything. I just said thank you, because if it weren't for him and Stevie than I probably would never have discovered blues.

Anyway, it's late and Mom's busy telling me to go to sleep.
I have pictures, and more cool stories, and some interesting gear information too but it'll have to wait. I have no idea when I'll get another chance to post again. It may have to wait until I get back to Houston.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
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That's awesome man. I never agreed with all the people hating on having him sign your gitbox. Sounded like a good idea to me. Did he sign the Squire, or the Fender? Not that it matters much! I envy you, and I appreciate you telling the story. Pics would be GREAT! Keep rocking bro!

Ben

Wow, very cool! I first met Jimmie Vaughan back in the early '80s when 'The Fabulous Thunderbirds' were still playing small clubs. And yes, Jimmie is a really nice guy. I learned a lot about playing guitar just watching him.

He was also a huge influence on Ronnie Earl http://www.ronnieearl.com/.

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Tony Houston

Wow what a great story!! Sounds like you are having the time of your life!! Thats very cool!! Cant wait to hear more and see pics!! ENJOY!!!

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"Wait a minute, somethings wrong here!"

i agree with out stevie ray vaughan or eric clapton i wouldnt have found the blues either

Well Tex Jimmie is on guy I would have sighn my ax. Bro it seems you are having the time of your life and everyone here is happy for you. It seems you are on your way, keep that ax in your hands.Cant wait to see some pics.

What was JV's rig like?

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Hey Tex: that really is amazingly cool! I truly admire your nerve - a LOT of guys (including me) would have looked for a way out of that. Too scary!

Kudos to you.

Congrats on a great sounding time!

Cheers - C

Part of what I love about living in this city is the people you run into. I've seen Jimmie but never had the nerve to talk to him. I have a friend who had him at their HOUSE.

I'm finally breaking down and getting some lessons in playing the blues, as all of my attempts keep hitting a wall.

We're glad to have you in Austin! Try the brisket at Green Mesquite!

I don't have a lot of time right now, but since my last post I've played at Antone's. I met some other cool people too.

I asked Jimmie to sign my Fender, I haven't used my Squier very much on this trip.

He was playing through a Matchless combo and a Fender Bassman. He was also playing some interesting guitars. I didn't ask him any gear questions though.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
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Very cool. Well done, sir (I am actually in Austin as I write this)

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

OK, now I have time to elaborate.

Jimmie was using a Fender Coronado II for about half the songs he played. I had just played one about a week ago at Guitar Center Houston, and since the virtually the entire audience played guitar, I was the one explaining to them about the guitar before the show.

I have some pictures of the concert (not too many though, I was paying attention and I sort of forgot to take pictures) and I have some pictures of him signing my guitar and talking to me. I have to wait until I'm back in Houston to post them though, I need to upload them onto my desktop.

We (the people at the workshop) got bands together to play at Antone's. I wanted to play Texas Flood since that was the first blues song I heard, so that's what we did. I led the band and there were two other guitarists, one played rhythm and one was really just there to sing. We were the only ones to play a SRV song, which sort of surprised me considering everyone played one famous blues song or another.

After I was done someone came up to me and started talking to me. She's a photographer around here and she actually knew Stevie when he was about my age. She noticed that I couldn't sing and told me that Stevie couldn't (or wouldn't) sing when he was my age either. I'm glad she talked to me. That was yesterday. I'm just blown away by all the people I'm meeting here, and the people I've been playing guitar with. I've made a lot of good contacts so far, so when I come back I'll actually know some people who are already established here.

Now the guitar workshop is over and I'm just hanging out and visiting tourist sites. I found this cool place near Antone's called Waterloo Records, and they actually sell vinyl! And their CD selection is huge. I wish they had one in Houston. My little brother wanted to go see the bats, so we waited nearly two hours under that bridge. They told us they'd come out at 7, but it was more like 8:30.

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Website: http://www.rebeccalaird.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebeccalairdmusic
Twitter: https://twitter.com/beckslaird
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Very cool Bro, looking forward to more posts!

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

Yeah, he started playing one while recording with Omar Dykes on Dykes' 'Jimmy Reed Highway' CD. He played that Coronado II, with a Matchless amp on the Austin City Limits show for the CD http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8imjwwlVd8 .

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Tony Houston

It's been a while since I hit up Antone's. Just reading this makes me wanna head there now!

You won't find another Waterloo Records -- that's the only one. I rarely buy music anywhere else now. Fun fact: Austin was originally called Waterloo when it was started. You'll find a lot of stuff with that name. A lot of "Pecan" stuff on 6th St. too since that was it's original names.

If you wanna do more record hunting, take Guadalupe north until you're in the Campus area. A while after passing UT, you'll find Antone's Records -- same Antone.