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I drove in to Houston the day before the Jackson Custom Shop Clinic this weekend. I met up with the crew at Fullers Guitar as they were setting the shop for the big day. Everyone was extremely calm except for John Walker. He seemed very calm and wasn't even worried about the big day. He already knew what he was going to talk about. Mike Shannon and Tim Wilson were busy smoking cigarettes and Mike Kotzen was busy looking at guitar porn. Possibly more porn than guitars but I wasn't there to judge, just to look. Mike had some nice pictures of females that were the basis for someone of the early graphic designs.
The buzz of the afternoon was they were all going out to watch a band and drink some beer. They welcomed me into their fold and invited me along. I knew I couldn't miss this. Employees of the most metal guitars there are going to see a band! How could I not want to be a part of that?
I should have known something was up when we were riding to the show in a mini-van. Not a very metal car. It was clean as well. My spider sense wasn't very active so I paid it no never mind.
We arrived at venue, Hickory Hollow, while it was still daylight. I wondered if this was just the first stop of the night? Maybe we were there just to get a bite to eat. It was barbeque joint. As we stood in line, to order food , no one could make up there mind. After letting many others pass we finally figure it out and get our meals and head to find a seat. We had a table up near the stage. A small stage but it was close.
The band came out and it wasn't what you would expect. It was Mike Fuller's Bluegrass band. I have to say it was great music, all original bluegrass. But, it wasn't very metal at all.
Through out the evening the conversation turned to Custom Shop Jackson Banjo's and grandchildren. Tim Wilson just became a grandfather, I think for the fourth time. I think a little bit of beer was had but I remember drinking more water than beer. Mike Kotzen, Tim Wilson and I each had a piece of pie late in the evening for dessert. Clearly this team leading Jackson into the future has lost a bit of it's metal edge. I am not sure but after eveything I heard there is some old, I mean old, Fender influence creeping into these guys.
It was great hanging out with them and they were very gracious in letting me hang with them for the evening. I want to thank them all.
More to come on the second day's activities.
The buzz of the afternoon was they were all going out to watch a band and drink some beer. They welcomed me into their fold and invited me along. I knew I couldn't miss this. Employees of the most metal guitars there are going to see a band! How could I not want to be a part of that?
I should have known something was up when we were riding to the show in a mini-van. Not a very metal car. It was clean as well. My spider sense wasn't very active so I paid it no never mind.
We arrived at venue, Hickory Hollow, while it was still daylight. I wondered if this was just the first stop of the night? Maybe we were there just to get a bite to eat. It was barbeque joint. As we stood in line, to order food , no one could make up there mind. After letting many others pass we finally figure it out and get our meals and head to find a seat. We had a table up near the stage. A small stage but it was close.
The band came out and it wasn't what you would expect. It was Mike Fuller's Bluegrass band. I have to say it was great music, all original bluegrass. But, it wasn't very metal at all.
Through out the evening the conversation turned to Custom Shop Jackson Banjo's and grandchildren. Tim Wilson just became a grandfather, I think for the fourth time. I think a little bit of beer was had but I remember drinking more water than beer. Mike Kotzen, Tim Wilson and I each had a piece of pie late in the evening for dessert. Clearly this team leading Jackson into the future has lost a bit of it's metal edge. I am not sure but after eveything I heard there is some old, I mean old, Fender influence creeping into these guys.
It was great hanging out with them and they were very gracious in letting me hang with them for the evening. I want to thank them all.
More to come on the second day's activities.
I used to stop in there once or twice a week for lunch, when I worked on that side of town. Not much room at all in there! Good food though. They have the largest Chicken Fried Steaks anywhere
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