interesting thread! Thanks for starting it Matt!

My efforts to put faces to the names of friends in the forum started in 2013 when I learned that John (Silvertones) lived in western NC. John was already doing what I wanted to do (playing solo with backing tracks) and I wanted to see his setup and procedures. Drove over to see him and posted several videos of the visit, including some interesting discussions of how he creates his magic. I believe John has since moved to Texas, so I was lucky to catch him while he was still within driving distance.

I think it was the summer of 2015 when Streetjelly (located in Easter Tennessee near Pigeon Forge) hosted a get together. At the time JoAnne Cooper was performing regularly on SJ and she made the trip from South Africa where she lives to attend the get-together in Tennessee. Knowing she would probably never be that close again, I drove across the Great Smoky mountains to meet her briefly, then drove back home the same day. That woman has a lot of energy! she keeps a lot of tasks going at the same time.. my hat is off to her!

Jim Fogle lives in my town of Winston-Salem NC. I think we've met 3 times at various restaurants (twice just the 2 of us, and once with Charlie Fogle, his brother)

I met Charlie twice.. once on the road trip and once when he visited Jim here in Town. When I visited Charlie at his home in SC, he let me play his double neck Gibson which he has since sold to a collector or museum, I forget which. That was a highlight of my trip. Charlie has a standing offer of free steak dinner any time he comes here for a visit. (Hint hint)

Matt Finley has family in Richmond Va., and so do I. Somehow I learned he would be in Richmond at the same time I was visiting my family, and we arranged to meet at a restaurant where a friend of Matt's was playing live music. Then a few years later I traveled to Lake George NY where Matt had been playing an annual jazz show for 31 years. Turns out I caught the last of his shows. The group disbanded after that... so I feel quite lucky to have been there for the grand finale. Matt's wife is also a musician, and she played at the concert too, which made the trip twice as worthwhile!

Mario was also in attendance for the same show, so I got to spend time with him and his dear wife before, during and after the show. I have relatives in New York State, near where Mario lives, so I expect to see him again someday.

Eddie is another road trip kind of guy, and he passed through Winston-Salem a few years ago. He let me know he was coming so we were able to connect during his stay in town. Since then he has built a very cool camper so I hope a future road trip brings him this way again because I want to see it in person!

Also a couple years ago Tommy Adams and his wife camped in NC, and I drove to spend the day with them. Bud and Janice were also there! How cool is that?? You'd think we would play music, but the recurring theme when people who have only known each other online finally meet in person is great conversation. Tommy will be camping In NC again this year, and I'll make it a point to visit him again. There are some great mountain biking trails near where Tommy will be camping this year... (I know Bud and Janice are mountain bikers, and it would be great to see them again... hint hint)

The road trip I took allowed me to meet so many people that I'm reluctant to start naming them for fear of forgetting somebody. But here's my best recollection:

Starting in NC, I visited GuitarHacker (Herb)...
... then drove to SC to meet Charlie Fogle.
... Then drove to Atlanta to meet RYSZARD, whom I haven't seen on the forum since. (Hope it isn't because of me!)
He had ordered a Gretsch Country Gentleman and it was delivered the day I visited. We recorded the event and posted a video
... then I drove to meet Al David and his dear wife
... then onward to Louisiana where I met Danny Campo and Kajun Jeaux. Danny took me along on a gig. Let me tell ya, Danny Campo is a pro. He has his act together which is why he's my mentor. Kajun Jeaux showed me his recording studio... which is a REAL recording studio, not the typical basement music room!
... on the way from Louisiana to Fla I made a stop in Alabama to have lunch with KeithS! That was a VERY interesting meeting! As he said above, we grew up not far apart in Pa. and have some common friends! Life is full of coincidences!
... then to Florida where I met John Ford, Floyd Jane, Tommy Adams and Notes Norton. I was lucky to arrive on a day when Notes and his dear wife Leilani had a gig! It was great to see them in action.. they really know how to work their audience! It was clear that many people in the audience are regulars who view them as friends. There was a lot of love in that show.

I had hoped to meet a few other people but for various reasons those visits didn't materialize.

If this Covid mess ever ends, I want to take a road trip to the west coast, at which time I'll be looking for people in that direction who might want to meet.

Since starting to perform online I've made friends with residents of Vancouver and Vancouver island. If I make it out to visit them, it would be great to stop by the offices of PGMusic, which I believe is located on Vancouver island. Can anybody tell me if visitors are allowed at work?

My town of Winston Salem is located on I-40, which goes all the way from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It's also located between I-81 and I-95 which are major north-South routes along the east coast. If anybody finds themselves traveling these routes, you have a standing invitation to visit. I'll even feed you. Just message me here by PM to let me know when you're coming.

If you don't want a full fledged visit, I'll be happy to drive to a restaurant along your route to meet you. You've got to stop for gas and food anyway!

Last edited by Pat Marr; 04/13/21 05:50 AM.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ey71h8ep047758h/AAC12jNM0Hz9Q8zsh5iDeqNHa?dl=0