When I Finally Said: “It’s Time”
How a grandfather’s gift lit the spark Jon spent decades waiting for
By Jon Kerr
I fell in love with the guitar as a kid growing up in the 80s and 90s. Music was everywhere—Willie Nelson, Black Sabbath, Eric Clapton, Nirvana. If it had guitar, I was hooked.
My dad played guitar. So did my grandpa. Every time my grandparents rolled into town, they’d pull out the guitars, show me a few chords—G, C, D—and let me strum along. I was honestly terrible, but I loved every second of it. Grandpa always let me play “The Gibson,” his smaller-bodied guitar that fit me better than his big Guild jumbo.
But I struggled. Between sports, school, and every other distraction of being a kid, I barely practiced. Watching Clapton, Buddy Holly, Jimmy Page, SRV…I just assumed those guys were born with something I wasn’t. So I quietly gave up, convinced I’d never be “good enough” to really play.
Decades passed.
Then, out of nowhere, my nephew started playing—and fast. My dad picked up guitar again, too. Around the same time, my mom mentioned something that stopped me in my tracks:
Grandpa had told her he wanted me to have “The Gibson” when he passed.
This was early 2021. Grandpa wasn’t doing well. My main hobby—competitive target shooting—had become insanely expensive during COVID. Everything pointed in one direction:
It was finally time to learn to play guitar.
I did the research, bought an Epiphone ES-335, and immediately called Grandpa to tell him. Even though talking was hard for him at that point, he lit up. He told stories, gave advice—we talked for over an hour.
Two days later, he was gone.
That conversation became the spark.
When I finally got Grandpa’s guitar, I learned it wasn’t just “The Gibson.”
It was a 1959 Gibson LG-2 he’d bought brand new when my mom was one year old. It now hangs on my studio wall beside a photo of him playing with his Navy buddy from WWII. It’s impossible to look at that guitar without feeling him close.
I’ve been learning for four years now—better than I ever thought I could be. But more importantly, guitar has carried me through some of the hardest seasons of my life.
When my mom passed a year and a half ago, right as my wife and I were moving into a new house, building my studio became therapy. I’ll never forget the first moment I sat down in that room with my gear set up.
I picked up a guitar and played “Wish You Were Here.”
I cried out loud through the whole song. I still get choked up every time I play it.
I dive headfirst into my hobbies, and guitar was no exception. I now have over 20 guitars. I’m building guitars. I work on guitars for friends. I do all the setups for my nephew’s band. My dad and I have bought guitars at Norm’s Rare Guitars. We even met Joe Bonamassa because my dad bought his Epiphone signature Les Paul.
Guitar has opened an entirely new world for me. And honestly?
I wish I hadn’t waited until I was 43 to start—just because I thought I wouldn’t be “good enough.”
But now I know better.
Even that small spark from Grandpa lit something I didn’t know was waiting in me.
And every time I pick up one of my guitars—especially that old LG-2—I feel the connection between what was, what is, and what’s still possible.
It’s never too late to start making the music you were meant to play.
Thanks for your touching story. What’s equally impressive are the many other inspirational stories that readers have shared in response to you. Kudos to you all.
That is truly a great story brought tears to my eye because I have a similar situation been playing for years both classical and acoustic never really excel at it and one of my 17 grandchildren recently took a genuine interest in the guitar, teaching himself on YouTube. He’s good. I have two great guitars one Taylor dreadnought and a very fine classical guitar made by Robert ROCK for me and I’m at the point like your grandpa where I take life day today and I already ear marked my Taylor and possibly the Ruck guitars to my grandson. I also make guitars made about 10 already although I’ve now stopped.
Nice to know that they’ll have a nice resting place after I’m gone.
Love the story
That is a great story, thank you.
Wonderful!! Very inspirational.
Awesome story
I love that story.
great powerful story of love of family influences and your newfound passion of guitar. Rock on!!!
A wonderful story, thanks for sharing it.
Thanks for sharing your story. It is an inspiration to all of us as we celebrate small wins on our way to becoming “real” guitar players. I am sure your Grandpa is up there like the sun behind the clouds smiling down on you. Good on you.
Great story and very inspirational
Hello, thank you Jon for this heartwarming and inspiring story.I’ve been strumming the guitar since high school, with a few chords, but I never had the chance to focus on it. Before high school, I took courses and lessons on other instruments, but I didn’t love them; the guitar was another love affair. Busy work and management profession did not leave me any time for years, so I turned that boring process into a fun opportunity by getting help from the internet and YouTube during the pandemic. It was a great feeling to play chords and pass solos that I couldn’t do with regular practice and dedication to time. But the pandemic ended and I got back into the busy work schedule. It’s incredible, but sometimes we miss the pandemic times as a family.I don’t want to hear any scratching sounds from my guitar, even if it’s late now. I want to strengthen my fingers by spending more time and practicing. My son also played the guitar, now he is a good vocalist, my daughter is a very good pianist, we played and sang together at family and friend gatherings, I am 69 years old now, I will be 70 in February (Isn’t it scary?) I always dreamed of quitting my job, returning to the guitar, and setting up a studio like Jon, I want to spend most of my time there, let’s see if there will be luck? I wish everyone a great time with music , thank you Jon!
Jon, you’re inspiring me to get back into it. My old Gibson leading the way.
A true Blessing! Great story!! Keep it up. Dave
Thank You, Feel Good Guitar never gets old, Keep keeping on.
That is a great story! Thank you for sharing it.
Such a beautiful story…thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for sharing that story, I truly need it right now. I am in end stage heart failure and trying to find a hobby I can bury myself in – i’ve been playing on and off for about 50 years, but never took it serious enough to get good. Now is the time. So thank you again.
Wow, what a story! Thank you for sharing.
I love this real life story by Jon Kerr about how he did not quit thinking about being a guitar player and finally the spark that drove him to be a guitar player. I just picked up my guitar and played the song you mentioned, “Wish you Were Here”. I understand the tears.
Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.
Such a beautiful story, my brother and I were introuced to guitar at our upstate NY summer home. Les and I had a few beat up tenor guitars and grandpa used to take us to Kingston NY to the Pawn Shop area and we would spend weekend afternoons just amazed by the selection. From inexpensive Kent’s to vintage Gibsons. We wound up signing our first recording contract when we were both still teenagers. Now that Im old, nothing brings me more joy than playing and watching my 2 year old grandson captivated by the same sounds that captivated my brother and I. Emotions make great players great and beginners enthralled.
What a fantastic story Jon and so well written!!! You are an inspiration for me at 71 and just starting again for the umpteenth (however that might be spelled) time since I was 24 and played with a bass guitarist and sang for my brother’s wedding . Many times starting and stopping over many years. Now it’s just me and my 3 cats but Tony got me excited again with “Wonderful Tonight” and “Hotel California”. I keep practicing on those 2 songs and it’s sounding better. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us next week. Thanks both Jon and Tony for giving me the nudge to become a guitar player
I have to say, I was certainly moved by your story and I wish you all the success in the world but it sounds like you don’t need it, you’re doing really well; just don’t stop!
That’s a great story Jon. Thanks for sharing. Your Grandpa sure passed on a beautiful legacy. I’m a grandpa now and teaching my grandkids how to play so hoping to do the same thing with them. Enjoy that guitar…what a treasure. B
Thanks for sharing your story, it’s inspiring!
Jon,
What a special story. Grandpa is proud of you!
Great story, thanks for sharing it,like you I’ve always loved the sounds that come from a guitar and have very eclectic tastes but always felt I didn’t have what it takes to be able to play. I’m 74 and recently started Tony’s course I must admit there are days when I feel like I’m wasting my time but I’ve signed up for the program and will see the year out and hopefully will feel that if I do as Tony says and trust the program I will succeed. Thanks Steve
That is an amazing story! Very inspiring. Thanks Jon
Great story.
I learned to play the violin, but always wanted to play guitar but could never find the time. Finally retired and have made learning the guitar my mission. It’s been a challenge as my fret hand was damaged a couple of years ago, making cords and cord changes very challenging. So far, Tony’s method of teaching cords and cord changes has made the process a little easier. I’m glad I signed up.
I waited until I was 65 and retired. A year and a half later I’m still new and struggling with what to do, how to do it, chords, scales, TAB, rhythm, tempo, etc. I have a non-electric inexpensive BreedLove Acoustic. I try to spend 30 minutes a day, every day ( minus only a few over the last 18 months). I still think I sound and feel completely inadequate and not ready to play anything in front of others. I enjoy playing but not sure how to proceed – so many options.
I recently gave my 10 year old granddaughter my Grandmother’s acoustic guitar. I’m hoping to give her the gift of the enjoyment in creating music. I think that having her great-great grandmother’s guitar might spur her on in her desire to learn to enjoy it as much as I do ❤️.
Thanks for sharing this personal experience. I’m turning 70, recently retired, not ready for the rocking chair, and thinking of taking lessons.
Such a powerful story!! I was 53!!! 43 is young!! Keep on playing!
A wonderful story. My own story is not nearly as interesting. As a teenager (I am now 84 years old), my father gave me a beat old guitar – and I mean beat up! No brand name and truly a rather wretched guitar – worn frets, buzzy strings, etc. And I am a terrible guitar player. So the years fly by, the old guitar got sold at a garage sale, etc. But I still wanted to try playing a guitar again. So, just last year, I took the plunge and bought a new Yamaha 3/4 size nylon string classical guitar for a whopping $125 (yes, it is a beginner’s guitar). But a wonderful guitar – sounds great. I bought a tuner so I could at least get it tuned right, etc. But my ‘agility’ with my hands and fingers – that is gone (heck, it was poor to begin with). So maybe I’ll keep trying. The desire is still there.
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s really beautiful how a shared love of guitars can bring everyone together and build special memories.
Thank you for sharing.
Great story.
Really awesome story Jon. I like how you connected with your grandfather and how he inspired you to play guitar. Your story gives me more incentive to keep going. I too felt like I wasn’t cut out for guitar when I was younger and I just now started learning again at age 63.
Such a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing t.
Thanks. We’ll test that. I bought my brand new Taylor 310-CE in 2000. Played a few chords now and then. Loved looking at it in my office. My wife would shame me into practicing a bit but oh wel…Then my grandkids would ask me to show them some chords…finally I said enough, I’m going to take some lessons and happened to discover Tony’s program!!
Thank you Jon, you’re truly blessed ! I love how you’re giving back and helping others after receiving your musical gift.
Your Grandpa would be proud. You and your Dad also have a wonderful connection through the music. You’re a lucky man.
Great Story Jon, I have a similar situation, I’ve been waiting around 10 years now to get back to playing again, I have 6 guitars, acoustic, 12 string and 4 electric (all signed by Joey B, I had several meet & greets with him and took the Mediterranean cruise with him about 6 yrs ago (That was great!,) I met so many musicians that I wasn’t aware of, took pictures with them and had great conversations.
My problem is lack of time and better management – I have a busy Medical Consulting business and I manage o few real estate properties (also a broker) and I just can’t seem to make the time needed to back into the game. I think Tony’s Acoustic Challenge will work for me too, but I have to get things in order first so I can have a clear frame of mind to commit and stick to it.
I’m happy to hear that the program is working for you as I do want to take the program myself when I am ready, Please send me your email so we can connect and speak further, I would love to hear more from you, you can reach me at vt@medcoinc.co – Thanks for sharing your story and Good luck to you and your new found future with the guitar and your new business, Have a Happy Thanksgiving! Looking forward to hearing from you and Tony!, All the best, Victor
John I am feeling a lot like you did when you picked up the guitar for the second time. I played all through my 20’s up to my 60’s and then took a very long break. I am now 75 and trying to start up again. It’s so hard I don’t know if I can do it. I got a real lift from your story and feel like it will help me have the patience to get back where I was.
Thank You
Dude – of course you can do it. If you played on and off for 30-40 years, of course you can pick it up again – just keep on pickin’
Great story! Thank you.
Love it! 43 years young when you started! I waited until I was 64! Very inspiring story, Jon!
I should start,course is hard
Conviction Drives it Home !
Tony as a bass player I always had the basic open chord experience to play acoustic guitar. My brother and I formed a band The Vagrants and were signed to 3 major labels as well as toured the US with Cream, The Who, The Doors and many others. Leslie West was my brother and lead guitar in both The Vagrants and Mountain. On his passing I picked up one of my acoustics and decided it was time to pour myself and my passion into learning guitar. So far, I have learned Travis Picking, Fingerstyle playing as well as arpeggios and lead riffs. I find that despite having Cancer I find playing as a source of meditation and personal growth. Thanks for the space to share my experience. Larry West
Great story
There is so much in your story , Jon! Your Dad, your grandpa, your Mom, the surprise of the vintage Gibson! I’m sure you’ll stick to this new hobby now as you have to your others. We can wish we started sooner, but your 40s is a great time to start. Congratulations!
God bless you brother. I just love the cellular connection you have with your family and with music. What an incredible story. Thank you for sharing with us Jon Kerr.