It never fails... you're playing at a club and someone comes up and asks if they can play your guitar. It really puts you on the spot. Hey..we've all been through this..right?

So here's the story. I'm playing at this coffee house in 1997 or 1998 and my friend comes in with his girlfriend and their family to listen. He asks me if her brother in law Brian can come up and jam with us. He intoduces me to the guy and I say, "sure..c'mon up"

I hand him my electric and I grab my 12 string and we go on with our set.

As I'm playing I notice that this cat is comping his ass off .. I mean... really nice stuff and I am feeling very comfortable and happy to have him aboard. Then I nod to him to take a solo.

Within seconds I realize that something special is happening. This cat can play so good it brings tears to my eyes.

After the set my friend has to go to his car and bring in the jack to get my jaw off the stage. In truth, I have never played with this caliber of musician and I felt totally humbled by this soft spoken guitarist.

After the gig we sat and talked. I said, "Brian, that was unbelieveable ... do you play professionally?

Brian Lonbeck just grinned and said, "yes"

I had several other occasions of meeting Brian at the home of his relatives. Each time I brought a guitar or two over and he'd play. I recall one meeting when I brought over my 12 string and we we're talking about different guitar players. I mentioned Ricky Scaggs playing "Country Boy" and Brian lit into the song note for note. I named a player and Brian would duplicate their style to a "T". He is awesome.

But what I found most impressive about this man was his egoless and affable demeanor. A true gentleman who clearly lets his "chops" speak for him.

Brian, thank you for one the of most profound musical experiences of my life.