-
Meeting Bob Taylor and Andy Powers
So here’s a funny story. I saw an ad on Facebook for a Taylor 50th anniversary event at my local Guitar Center (Hollywood, CA). I signed up and showed up early to get in line. While walking through the parking lot to the door, I see a car pull up and two tall guys get out – and one is wearing a fedora and I thought to myself, “that’s Andy Powers and Bob Taylor”. They opened the trunk and started unloading a few guitars, so I couraged up and walked over and said hi and asked if I could help them out. After quick and friendly intros Andy handed me a case to carry and the three of us walked in together. My heart was on jupiter. I stumbled through as many of the things I could remember wanting to tell Bob Taylor if I ever met him. And I also actually stumbled over one of those parking lot cement blocks (but thankfully didn’t fall!) I was petrified! They were both amazingly kind and let me walk in with them and chat for a minute and take a picture. I was a jittery nervous mess but I’ve thought so many times over the years about being able to meet Bob Taylor in person and thank him for all that he has done for the world of guitar and for the world that we live on. It was a pinnacle moment for me that I am grateful for the universe having laid the opportunity in front me.
How cool that these two who are at the top of the guitar industry and probably worth millions spend 2-3 hours in a car together driving up to LA from San Diego. No private jet, no limo, just the two guitar geeks in a Toyota.
There were some cool performances, including Lisa Loeb and Ben Harper. Also Andy jams at the end which is amazing – he’s awesome.
You can see the whole thing here on YT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW23wgJOSrE&t=2952s
And attached is a photo I will cherish forever. I’m so grateful for the TAC Family and for being a part of the guitar world. Gonna go play some guitar. 🙂
-
2 Replies
-
That is great. I saw this event was to be on line last Saturday but got my time zones mixed up and missed it. Thanks for the link. I got to meet Bob Taylor at the 2023 Fretboard Summit (along with Tony) and he had a lot to say about sustainable woods like Koa. It is such a hoot to see how relatable many of these guys are. Happy you had the experience.
-
Absolutely agree. I’ve met both Bob and Andy on several occasions and they’ve always been nothing but kind and generous with their time. No need to be “petrified” of anyone like that. These are, as you discovered, just fellow humans.
Log in to reply.