Being a bad blues player gave me depression.

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.

I believe it was Ron White....if life gives you lemons....go find someone life gave vodka to and have a party!! Smile....it makes people wonder what your up to...lmao

A great local blues player that I mentored years ago took a 4 year hiatus from guitar when diagnosed with clinical depression.When he got cured through drug and psycho therapy he returned to playing and his playing had become better by tenfold.I too had a long bought of depression and stopped playing for several months and I must say that it helped immensely in bringing out the blues in me.I have no doubt whatsoever that life experience contributes greatly to ones ability to play convincing,soulful blues.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I've always played blues, but a long "down" period made me a more authoritative player and songwriter.

I had some horrible health problems in 2006 that lasted for a couple of years (two ruptured discs in my neck, damaged shoulder and pain related to both injuries and the surgeries). I truly thought I would never be able to stand or sit or lie down without pain, much less play guitar or harp. I was terrified of getting addicted to pain killers so I didn't take them as often as directed (on the few occasions I did, it stoned me out if my gourd in a bad way; I also discovered I was allergic to morphine and any opiate, which made the situation worse). I barely played my guitar for almost a year and a half, and the few occasions I did, it hurt so bad I ached for a day and a half after just two songs.

Just when I was getting better, Lady Armadillo had a three year period of health problems. I thought she was going to die (she got down to 79 pounds at one point...she's naturally small and slender, but that's 25 pound less than her normal weight). Between working full time, taking care of her and the Armadillo Child and trying to recuperate, there was no time for music.

When things finally got better, I was rusty but there was a maturity and depth to my playing that wasn't there four years previously. I would have rather not gone through everything that we did, but I made lemonade out if the lemons that were given to us during that time.

It sounds like you did the same thing...congratulations! That means you're a survivor.

_________________
Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals