My sister Sheila is nearing the end of a successful career in private wealth management. She’s not a musician, but music has inspired her life. She listens to music every waking hour, has a fine vinyl collection, dozens of musician biographies and a whole wall of concert memorabilia including a signed painting by Ronnie Wood. She has given her grandchildren guitars, ukuleles, flutes and music lessons.
Two months ago she mentioned she was buying a $4200 electric guitar as a 21st birthday present for her grandson who plays in a metal band, Balmora, which just released its first album. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwLLMehIujI. I jokingly suggested my birthday was coming up and perhaps she would give me a newly released, hand crafted, high end version of the Alvarez acoustic that I play, and sent her a photo. She replied, “Don’t hold your breath, brother.” Last night she phoned and said she had a “little” birthday gift to drop off and asked me to help carry it from her car.
Meet my new Alvarez FY70CE, hand made at the Kazuo Yairi factory in Japan. East Indian Rosewood sides/back, Sitka spruce top, mahogany neck. This guitar sounds so beautiful; it is definitely out of my league. So is my loving sister! I had better practice a lot more to feel like I should even be touching such a fine instrument. Best Sister Ever!
Omg! Michael! That guitar is so so beautiful! So well refined! So lovely of your sister! Can you make and share a bigger picture of the rosette, please?
Yeah no thanks Brian, I am far from a metalhead. Think CSNY, Dylan, Stones, Kinks, The Who, Allman Brothers. Deep Purple was about as metal as I ever was.
Thank you Gunhild. Borussia Dortmund has long been my favorite Bundesliga club. Liverpool is my English team. 'You’ll Never Walk Alone" is the team song of both clubs and on my playlist.
Dear Michael,
I’m jokingly suggesting my birthday is coming up too…
You know what Justin says about paying it forward
Let me know if you need pictures
Congratulations and enjoy!
A lot is said around here of how to capture and retain motivation. For me, little did better than my wife getting me the Suhr of my dreams. Your post captures the special sense of “I need to live up to this” that I have felt, when the motivation comes from a loved one’s belief in us. It’s “so” much better than our own desires!
has long been my favorite Bundesliga club. Liverpool is my English team. 'You’ll Never Walk Alone" is the team song of both clubs and on my playlist.
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