guitar2adam

True story of Andy's amazingness:

In 2008, I was 20 years old and saw that Andy was playing at a 21+ venue in my city. I didn't have any fake IDs so I called the venue and asked if I could just stand in the back and listen to the show. I even offered to help clean up and do dishes. They said no. As a last effort I wrote a message on Andy's myspace page asking if there was any way he could get me in to the venue by saying I was his apprentice helping out with his setup aka "with the band".

The day of the show I was at a play with my parents and I saw after the play that I had 2 missed calls and 2 messages. They were both from Andy. The synopsis of the first was "I told them you're my apprentice and you're good to go! I'll see you there!". The second was "Damn it all, the manager just spoke to me and said no dice because they could lose their liquor license. Sorry, I'd be happy to meet you after the show."

I was so moved because Andy was (and is) my idol and I couldn't believe he gave me that kinda of personal attention. I didn't give up though, and I borrowed a bunch of my older brothers ID's, didn't shave for a week, and dressed up like my bro (med school student) with a scrubs top underneath a sweater. Of course I got in easily, and then me, Andy, and Rob Poland all had a good laugh about all the ridiculous measures I took to see the show. Andy dedicated my favorite song of his, "Keys to the Hovercar", to me on stage and was kind enough to listen to my original music.

I also saw him play a live show 2 years ago and I got to play more of my original music for him. I just want everyone to know what an amazingly kind and genuine person Andy is, in addition to his guitar abilities. He is the best kind of musician.

Hi Ray, fellow guitarist here. Do you ever play in altered tunings, and if so, which is your favorite?