January 28, 2005

I first heard Chris Thile in Floyd Va. at the Floyd fest playing with his group "Nickel Creek". I was so amazed at his ability and sounds he was getting out of the mandolin that I had to pick one up myself and give it a try. He made it look so easy. I figured that with over 30 years of guitar playing under my belt I would be able to pick up the mandolin with no problems. Boy was I wrong. I have been playing a year and a half now and I'm just now beginning to approach his speed. Every time I hear him live, he is even faster. 

 I finally got to meet him in Athens Ohio, and he is just such an amazing person. When I first met him, he was trying to get into the building to prepare for the nights concert with Edgar Meyer playing double bass. He had stepped off the bus and all the doors to the building were locked.  He did make it in and gave the audience a wonderful performance with many recently composed "nameless" tunes he had written with Edgar for this tour.

 After the show I talked with him some more and he signed my mandolin. Maybe some of his talent was absorbed by my mandolin and I can play it a little bit better.. Thanks Chris..