http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVGu0visDbE

I had the opportunity to meet BB King on Saturday night, and all I can say is “wow.” This is a world class musician who has toured the world dozens of times, played over 15,000 shows in career lasting 60+ years, met heads of state, and changed the face of music…

…and he’s also incredibly humble.

I continue to be surprised by the amount of famous and ridiculously gifted musician’s I’ve met who are the most down-to-earth, humble folks in the world. (Bruce Hornsby, Stan Skibby & Brian Vander Ark come to mind…) BB was no exception.

After telling him that he was a huge influence on my guitar playing (and decision to study music), he said “You started playing at 6? I didn’t start until I was 11. By the time you’re my age you’re going to have a lot more experience than me.” I told him that I couldn’t figure out how to make the damn things (guitars) work, and he said “me either. There are a few guys who have really figured it out…Kenny Burrell, Wes Montgomery, but I’m not one of them.” I said “if you haven’t figured it out yet, Mr. King, that doesn’t bode well for the rest of us normal guys!”

We then took a couple pics and he signed a show poster for me. (I wanted to pick up my 335 to have him sign it but didn’t have time to get it…) Then I went on my way.

There’s a lesson in here for all of us – greatness is complemented by humility.

Check these guys out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBaskRZDbNA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoDx0fcvyLw

Raising Craiger is donating our time to the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. We’re playing at Foothills High School on Saturday, April 30th from 9am to 10am. It is two hours before the end of the relay so we thought it would be fun to spice up the end of the event with some redneck blues.

If you’re around that area and want to stop by, please let me know. Also, I almost NEVER do this…but if you have any cash to spare, a donation to our team would be most appreciated. Just $5 will get you mentioned BY NAME as we dedicate a song to all of our donors.

Here’s the link, and thanks in advance for your donation!
Raising Craiger’s Relay For Life Page

I put this together to clarify some jumbled up comments I made on the Chordie.com forums yesterday, but thought others might be able to benefit, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41qB_1y_Zkg

My new band’s site just went live. Check it out and LMK your thoughts:

http://www.raisingcraiger.com/

Here’s a quick excerpt from our show last weekend. A version of “The Weight” complete with an interpretive-dancing Pocahontas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p53NSSpmX2E

Thanks to my buddy Steve Nixon for turning me on to this monster:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhFIupVoVKc

Me performing a tune I wrote a long friggin’ time ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi-CEmwi-_E

I’ve met a lot of professional musicians who are arrogant asshats.

Stan Skibby is not one of them.

In addition to being a fan-freaking-tastic guitar player (very Hendrixy, much to my satisfaction), Stan Skibby is a downright awesome human being. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Stan a few times, and his modesty, humility and pleasant demeanor really caught me off guard – in a good way. He’s just a cool, genuine guy. It’s something that every musician/business professional/human being should strive for – regardless of your level of ability or self-confidence. Just because you have 55,000 fans on Facebook or a record deal or just sold your company for a bajillion dollars, don’t think your accomplishments give you the latitude to be an asshole.

Stan’s playing is incredible. Check it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw_LlJGuQkg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw9fFrIyCNs

Hit him up at http://www.myspace.com/stanskibby