Bruce, Same here...I saw him in Lake Beuna Vista in Florida countless times and he signed his album BLUBYRD for me. He was so kind and gracious to a tongue tied nervous young fan (me). A soft spoken Gentleman and I think he is being too quickly forgotten for what he did to advance the art of fingerstyle guitar.
Absolutely. There's an interview with him somewhere on the internet, and he is much too humble and modest as far as his own contributions to guitar and music in general.
That doesn't surprise me, I'll have to try and look up that interview. Two quick things that I think encapsulates Charlie as a man: Both of these happened at the jazz club in Lake Buena Vista on different nights. When he autographed BLUBYRD for me I had just came out of the men's room WITH the album (on the offhand that I'd see him on the way, as it was between sets) and THERE HE WAS..BY HIMSELF! Just looking reflective, a hand in pocket. I stuttered my way through how much he meant to me and he is the reason why I took up fingerstyle playing and could I trouble him to sign the album. He smiled and said "I'd be more 'n happy too...what's your name?" And so I have that album in special covering with the legend, To Michael, All the Best...Charlie Byrd. Well, as I made my way back to my seat I realized with horror that my hands were wet...I'd washed them but didn't dry them thoroughly under the blower...I shook my Idol's hand with a wet hand...for all he knew I didn't wash them at all! But he never let on....That's class. The second "incident" happened months later. The crowd that night was somewhat drunken, most were not jazz enthusiasts. I felt so bad for Charlie. Anyway he began "This next tune is-" a rude voice called out, "Classical Gas?!" Charlie immediately rejoined, "No...but it IS classical and it IS a gas." That says it all, doesn't it?
incredible guitar playing from that genius Charlie Byrd.
Amazing & very enjoyable
He was just incredible. I'm fortunate to have seen him live several times.
Bruce, Same here...I saw him in Lake Beuna Vista in Florida countless times and he signed his album BLUBYRD for me. He was so kind and gracious to a tongue tied nervous young fan (me). A soft spoken Gentleman and I think he is being too quickly forgotten for what he did to advance the art of fingerstyle guitar.
Absolutely. There's an interview with him somewhere on the internet, and he is much too humble and modest as far as his own contributions to guitar and music in general.
That doesn't surprise me, I'll have to try and look up that interview. Two quick things that I think encapsulates Charlie as a man: Both of these happened at the jazz club in Lake Buena Vista on different nights. When he autographed BLUBYRD for me I had just came out of the men's room WITH the album (on the offhand that I'd see him on the way, as it was between sets) and THERE HE WAS..BY HIMSELF! Just looking reflective, a hand in pocket. I stuttered my way through how much he meant to me and he is the reason why I took up fingerstyle playing and could I trouble him to sign the album. He smiled and said "I'd be more 'n happy too...what's your name?" And so I have that album in special covering with the legend, To Michael, All the Best...Charlie Byrd. Well, as I made my way back to my seat I realized with horror that my hands were wet...I'd washed them but didn't dry them thoroughly under the blower...I shook my Idol's hand with a wet hand...for all he knew I didn't wash them at all! But he never let on....That's class. The second "incident" happened months later. The crowd that night was somewhat drunken, most were not jazz enthusiasts. I felt so bad for Charlie. Anyway he began "This next tune is-" a rude voice called out, "Classical Gas?!" Charlie immediately rejoined, "No...but it IS classical and it IS a gas." That says it all, doesn't it?