Players who just come across as damned fine human beings ? [Archive]

BryanMatthews

07-15-2009, 04:32 PM

decay-o-caster

07-15-2009, 04:34 PM

I've conversed with him a couple of times and you got it right - a real sweetheart of a guy, very nice, knows who he is and what he's done but doesn't club you to death with it.

guitardr

07-15-2009, 04:38 PM

jazzgtrl4

07-15-2009, 04:38 PM

Warren Haynes, Allen Woody

Bobby D

07-15-2009, 04:39 PM

Greg Koch!:rotflmao

BryanMatthews

07-15-2009, 04:42 PM

Guthrie Govan: seems humble and really down to earth.

with you there, the clips of him at tone merchants portrayed this man as having supernatural ability yet humbleness too.

Plague Dog

07-15-2009, 04:42 PM

Chuck Alverez

Frank Prince

07-15-2009, 04:46 PM

From press, interviews, etc.:
Phil Keaggy
Brad Paisley
Dann Huff

In person:
Joe Bonamassa
John Jorgenson
Micheal Lee Firkins

jrw32

07-15-2009, 04:47 PM

Willy Porter!

Lucidology

07-15-2009, 04:48 PM

Frank Gambale ... truly a thoughtful cat ...

harmonicator

07-15-2009, 04:48 PM

I've never read or heard a bad interpersonal comment about SRV or Jimmy Herring. In fact, everything I have every read about either of them is extraordinarily positive and generous.

Peppy

07-15-2009, 04:49 PM

All three of King's X.

Thwap

07-15-2009, 05:06 PM

Dimebag Darrell
Joe Bonamassa

mprvise

07-15-2009, 05:09 PM

+1 on Warren Haynes
+ another on Joe Bonamassa

I'll add Tommy Emmanuel

Boggs

07-15-2009, 05:14 PM

Tony Levin... Since Phil Keaggy, Tommy Emmanuel, and Frank Gambale are already listed and rightfully so. I've met Tony on a couple of occasions. Wonderful guy. I've also met Craig Chaciquo at NAMM a couple of times and he just really appreciated and liked to hang around with anyone who would have taken their time to see him.

Flyin' Brian

07-15-2009, 05:15 PM

bilbal

07-15-2009, 05:17 PM

[QUOTE=Flyin' Brian;6433892]
Jerry Garcia - a gem
QUOTE]

:)

robelinda2

07-15-2009, 05:19 PM

Albert lee - fine gentleman!

84Bravo

07-15-2009, 05:24 PM

Albert Collins. I had the opportunity to meet him a few times and have drinks with him, as nice a guy as you would ever want to meet, humble, real. He liked Jack Daniels with Bud chasers.

ElDiabloBlanco

07-15-2009, 05:27 PM

+1 on Tony Levin, Steve Morse and Greg Koch from in person experience. Vernon Reid is totally cool and down to earth. Adrian Belew was a good guy as well. I met Stu Hamm on a couple of occasions and had dinner with him once - great guy who talked football all night!

The Kid

07-15-2009, 05:33 PM

Charlie Hunter has been very kind in the few times I've talked with him.

Eric Krasno from Soulive is really cool and down to earth.

Tuck Andress (also his wife Patti) Beautiful people.

Ty Tabor (and Doug) Very cool to talk gear and hang with.

Vernon Reid. Very cool to talk gear with. Ate sushi and talked for over an hour and he wasn't looking for someone cooler to speak with.

I actually mentioned that I was going to go after a few minutes as to not take up too much of his time, and he said no and ordered me a glass of wine. How cool is that?

Yngtchie

07-15-2009, 05:34 PM

Shawn Lane. He just seems like a really cool guy in all the vids I've watched, and all the interviews I've read.

Mark McPheeters

07-15-2009, 05:39 PM

Steve Wariner.

Broken Cord

07-15-2009, 05:52 PM

Rory Gallagher: opened for him, and shared beers & laughs.
Steve Morse: another quiet, thoughtful fellow.
James Taylor: about as nice as they get.
Joe Pass: fooled me at first, then made me laugh.
Tommy Tedesco: funny and filled with stories.
Guthrie Govan: seems humble and really down to earth.

To have played with, or even played in the same venue as Rory would be as good as it could get to me. Rory's playing is the reason I started playing guitar.

I had a beer with him once and he was a real guy that could just hang. I know many would say as a player he was sometimes rough, but he was a diamond none the less, he is missed.

You are a fortunate man guitardr.

thewhit

07-15-2009, 08:16 PM

Sonny Landreth

arthur rotfeld

07-15-2009, 08:20 PM

Scofield is a real nice guy, Frisell too.
Tal Farlow was a great guy.

Rotten

07-15-2009, 08:27 PM

Joe Walsh was really cool. I've always wanted to meet Alex Lifeson; he always seems like a real genuine, nice guy.

Serious Poo

07-15-2009, 08:43 PM

Willy Porter!

+1 Willy's a super cool person to hang out with, and can just play the crap out of a guitar.

Phil Keaggy is another person who's really inspired me with his humility and generosity over the years.

mkl13

07-15-2009, 08:54 PM

Audley Freed!

fusion58

07-15-2009, 09:35 PM

Carl Verheyen :bow

Ive never met the man , only revelled in his musical artistry and watched lots of youtube clips in which he has conversed on, he comes across as a salt of the earth damned fine human being to me.

+1,000,000!

Carl has been a HUGE mentor to me for many years. The guy has gone out of his way to help me on several occasions. I consider myself VERY fortunate to know Carl.

greggorypeccary

07-15-2009, 09:48 PM

Spent a weekend at Fur Peace Ranch and I can say, without reservation, that both Jorma & G.E. Smith are damned fine human beings.

telecopter

07-15-2009, 09:52 PM

Larry Carlton...a real gentlemen.

crzyfngers

07-15-2009, 09:53 PM

larry carlton. you just wanna hug him. not in a perverted senator kinda way. he's just such a nice guy.

TwoTubMan

07-15-2009, 10:09 PM

He probably saved my butt from going to jail one night, so...

Ron Wood.

JoeP

07-15-2009, 10:12 PM

Jimmy Herring and Derek Trucks..

Tommy Crain and Barry Richman too..

jesserides2005

07-15-2009, 10:21 PM

Eddie Van Halen? :rotflmao

Sorry, I just had to go there! LOL! :rimshot

GAT

07-15-2009, 10:27 PM

Some of the guys I've done shows with or met that were really cool and humble...

Lee Roy Parnell
Sonny Landreth
David Coverdale
Jimmy Page
Steve Lukather
Joe Bonamassa

Jade

07-15-2009, 10:33 PM

I can't believe I'm going to be the first one to mention Brian May.

Absolute sweetheart of a guy.

Jade

FeloniousBishop

07-15-2009, 10:37 PM

James Taylor
Joni Mitchell
Jerry Donahue
George Harrison
Eric Johnson
Tom Petty

Two-Octave

07-15-2009, 10:44 PM

Ted Nugent and Gene Simmons.

sixty2strat

07-15-2009, 11:26 PM

David Gilmour...very humble and low key.

devilrob1979

07-15-2009, 11:44 PM

John McFee - my favorite Doobie Bro. unassuming and really has no clue how talented he is.
Bill Champlin - with a resume like his, he's amazingly laid back.
Pat Metheny - Kenny G aside, the times that I've had to speak with him, he's always been very genuine and as interested in what i was doing as I was him.
Dan Aykroyd - OK not quite a player but during Blues Brothers tours he was as friendly and down to earth as anyone.
Jerry Garcia - a gem
Carter Beauford - as sweet a guy as there is and a heck of a pilot.
Dave Matthews - friendly as anyone.

I gotta agree on Bill Champlin. I got to spend time with him and the rest of the sons (including Mick Gillette) after a Sons of Champlin show a few years back and he was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. He noticed my best friend and his Dad going absolutely nuts during the show and asked us back. I'm glad someone mentioned Dime as well. I never met him but I have friends who did and they say he was one of the most down to earth, friendly guys they'd ever met. I cried the night he was killed.

Blueswede

07-16-2009, 07:57 AM

bolsen

07-16-2009, 08:02 AM

Ronnie Earl is an exceedingly kind, humble, and gracious gentleman.

zep41

07-16-2009, 08:41 AM

Marc Ford -- pretty easy guy just to BS with. Just a regular working musician.

ImmortalSix

07-16-2009, 08:42 AM

Greg Koch!:rotflmao
x2, he's out there, but funny as all get out!

I believe he's a family man as well.

Dickie Fredericks

07-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Its about time someone started a thread about me LOL

tone4days

07-16-2009, 09:12 AM

+1 on gambale

other players i've met who were all very nice
chick corea
john patitucci
dave weckl

steve smith
tim landers
tom coster

steve kahn

andy timmons

adam levy

stanley clarke

carl filipiak

OlAndrew

07-16-2009, 11:05 AM

Cat done been here and gone, but I gotta say Ted Greene was one of the nicest, finest people I've ever met.

French Fry

07-16-2009, 11:11 AM

+1 on Tuck Andress

Frank Vignola - Haven't met him personally, but seems like a great guy from all reports.

Dos XX

07-16-2009, 11:13 AM

A short storyabout Albert Collins. I was driving and saw his tour bus about to pull away from the curb. I swerved my car, blocking him, got out, walked to the door and he opened the bus door (he was driving). I said you're him the Master of the Telecaster! We became friends for along time and had many great conversations about guitar playing and the blues. He loved Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I told him of my quest to get a '59 strat and he said he had a friend in Michigan who had one and he was going to get it for me. He was a wonderful human being.

bkd_guitarist

07-16-2009, 11:13 AM

Phil Keaggy. He's been mentioned several times already, but it bears repeating. I had the opportunity to open for him on a couple of occasions (a rather intimidating experience), and spent a good bit of time with him. He's a wonderful guy.

Will McFarlane. Not as well known as some, but Will is a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and has been a sideman for Bonnie Raitt and various other major acts. Also a beautiful soul and a great guy to spend time with. He was very generous with his time and advice that really shaped my playing.

Shawn Tubbs, sideman for Carrie Underwood, formerly of Violet Burning, and a TGP member. I've not met Shawn in person, but based on PM's, posts, and interviews, he seems like a very humble, down to earth guy. And an absolutely scary player, one of my all time faves.

kidmandude

07-16-2009, 11:14 AM

I know of a few right here on TGP that come to my mind.

In no particular order

Frank Denigris

Ted Thompson

Ed DeGenaro

Steve Kimock

GregoryL

07-16-2009, 11:19 AM

More TGP love...

Tomo and Splatt stand out for their insightful and gracious comments.

paulgroove82

07-16-2009, 12:14 PM

Well, plenty have been mentioned, but...

Lyle Workman
Glenn Pierce

Both are stunning players and amazingly nice guys!

Fred Farkus

07-16-2009, 12:19 PM

Steve Morse
Victor Wooten
Bela Fleck
Warren Haynes

All of them are very nice people who are pleasant to talk to.

benjammin420

07-16-2009, 12:19 PM

I saw BB King a few years back, and in between, and during songs, and they way the spoke, and the sound of his voice, was was like one of my own grandparents was talking to me. Very warm and funny, having fun with the band and the audience. and when he introduced his band, he mentioned how long each had been with him, the 'newest' member was his nephew (forget his name, played trumpet) who had been with him 17 years. You dont play with the same band with the same leader, for 17+ years if hes not a good person, in my opinion

benjammin420

07-16-2009, 12:22 PM

He probably saved my butt from going to jail one night, so...

Ron Wood.

sounds like there might be an interesting story behind that one

mattwasserman

07-16-2009, 12:25 PM

Although he is a real quiet guy and a little akward onstage, Derek Trucks seems very humble and courteous in every interview I've seen of him.
It would be cool just to sit down and discuss music with him, he certainly has devoted his life to guitar playing and it would be really interesting to hear what he has to say.

+1 on BB and Warren too, would love to meet any of these guys mentioned.

Bobby D

07-16-2009, 12:32 PM

Robben Ford was an amazing guy to do gigs with.

wow.....i finally made a post about Robben on TGP. it's all downhill from here :YinYang

he was totally cool, though.......seen him a few times, played some of the same shows with him in italy.

his drummer was HAWT, too....:banana

CharAznable

07-16-2009, 12:39 PM

The absolute coolest guy I've ever met is Franco Mussida from PFM. When I told him that he was an influence, he was genuinely honored.

Peter Hammill is also supercool. Very happy to talk about gear, which I bet nobody asks him about.

mothyham

07-16-2009, 01:11 PM

michael jackson

Irreverent

07-16-2009, 01:18 PM

Our own David Torn, Kingsley Durant, and Alvin Hart come to mind, and there are no doubt many others that frequent TGP.

I bet John Mayer is a cool guy.

Peace.

Shnook

07-16-2009, 01:19 PM

Mike Keneally is one of the nicest humans I've ever met. I've had the pleasure of hanging with Mike a handful of times over the years and he's incredibly intelligent, talented, and very kind.

Same goes for Mike's longtime bass player Bryan Beller. A killer player and a sweetheart of a guy. I'm humbled to be able to call him a friend of mine.

cram

07-16-2009, 01:22 PM

bela fleck

crzyfngers

07-16-2009, 01:23 PM

Jerrod

07-16-2009, 01:42 PM

Mark O'Connor is likely one of the most gracious people to ever walk the planet.

franksguitar

07-16-2009, 02:04 PM

Buck Dharma, Randy Bachman, Howard Leese, Mark Tremonti, Jim McCarty, Johnny Hiland, Pat Travers whom I've all met and spent time with and all very personable.

jjboogie

07-16-2009, 02:07 PM

Robert Plant was super cool when I met him.

There are lots of other cool cats.

CJReaper

07-16-2009, 02:15 PM

Yngwie Malmsteen

Al DiMeola

Ted Nugent

Eddie Van Halen

Dave Mustaine...

Oh, sorry, wrong list!!!!

Seriously though, three of the coolest and most talented players I've met are Chris Poland, Doug Aldrich and Adrian Smith. No egos at all.

Cheers,

CJ

jjboogie

07-16-2009, 02:18 PM

bela fleck

Plus 1 for Bela!

HalGray

07-16-2009, 02:35 PM

+1 for Frank Vignola. Have met him on two or three occasions at post-gig stuff in Atlanta. Very nice guy.

Jeff Carlisi -- You'd never know the guy was a rockstar...you'd think he was just the guy who lived next door. A great guy who will take the time to answer your questions and shoot the breeze.

John H

07-16-2009, 03:46 PM

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are very genuine, down to earth, sweet people. Sonny Landreth was also very humble, approachable, and friendly. Richard Thompson almost made me wet myself - he was incredibly witty and hysterically funny.

BryanMatthews

07-16-2009, 05:48 PM

I've said it before on other threads- Carl is one first class player and a true gentleman. I've had the pleasure of meeting him; been to many of his gigs and he is always so friendly and open. Always remembers my GFs name. I've been to his house; he set up my strat trem and gave me a really good lesson. Great guy.....I consider it a privilege to call him a friend.

you lucky lucky man indeed.

id bring my R8 over and try to persuade him to drop the strat and join us lester diehards. he`d probably just smile and play his strat in such a way that i dropped the lester :rotflmao

cram

07-17-2009, 03:16 PM

Plus 1 for Bela!

The most uncomfortable celeb meeting fan moment I witnessed was after a flecktones show at boston harbor. They sit on the edge of the stage after their shows to talk with fans (this is something I like to see and indicates the spirit of this thread).

My wife and I stopped in to shake hands with the guys. And this woman was near us and being kinda shifty.. She was right near me when she grabbed bela's hand and started with this admiration dribble and wouldn't let go of his hand. Psycho look in her eyes at him too... She finally did let go and then started in on how infatuated she was with him and that she wanted to be with him. He replied as cordial as he could have been, saying that he was married and he's glad she came out to the show.

she faded away in the group and was ushered off by one of the guys keeping watch.

I can't do the situation justice - she was intense and focussed on her "Ma-an!!!"

He's a class act for sure.

Perhaps it has something to do with the pioneering spirit of his playing and being an ambasidor for his style - always friendly with his fan base. really cool guy.

Lo Blues

07-17-2009, 03:28 PM

Pete Seeger is a great human being.

SL_22

07-17-2009, 03:54 PM

Ones that I've met: EJ, Warren DeMartini, Carlos Cavazo, George Lynch, Ric Hall, Steve Vai, Steve Blaze.

MartinPiana

07-17-2009, 04:11 PM

I do occasional newspaper and magazine interviews. At the top of my good-guy-and fun-to-talk-to list are Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Sonny Rollins.

jim lavender

07-17-2009, 04:13 PM

I got to meet James Burton when we opened for Jerry Lee Lewis. Helluva nice guy.

fretfreak76

07-17-2009, 05:44 PM

Carl Verheyen :bow

Ive never met the man , only revelled in his musical artistry and watched lots of youtube clips in which he has conversed on, he comes across as a salt of the earth damned fine human being to me.I have met and spoke with Carlos Santana & actually jammed a little with him and a couple others in his tuning room backstage and every single time the man & his whole band for that matter were very nice to me.And believe me i was not some starstruck fanboy so maybe that helped?:drink Oh ...also breifly met Steve Morse and although he kind of hit on my wife Ha Ha ..the guy was very cool & freindly to all of us present..

Lucidology

07-17-2009, 06:00 PM

Pete Seeger is a great human being.

Yes indeed...
especially since he let me live at his home for a year of my life ...

Lo Blues

07-17-2009, 07:09 PM

Yes indeed...
especially since he let me live at his home for a year of my life ...

Cool, when was this? Did you stay in the cabin? We're family, I grew up calling him Uncle Peter.

mad dog

07-18-2009, 07:27 AM

Eddie Angel, of Los Straitjackets. Excellent musician, and a very friendly guy too. Same goes for Jason Smee, their drummer. No rock star pretensions here.

archtopjazz

07-18-2009, 07:53 AM

Ted Greene

Ayrton

07-18-2009, 09:19 AM

Paul Gilbert

scottlr

07-18-2009, 10:23 AM

x2, he's out there, but funny as all get out!

I believe he's a family man as well.

Yes, he is. I met his kids at a clinic he did here a few years ago.

Although he is a real quiet guy and a little akward onstage, Derek Trucks seems very humble and courteous in every interview I've seen of him.
It would be cool just to sit down and discuss music with him, he certainly has devoted his life to guitar playing and it would be really interesting to hear what he has to say.

+1 on BB and Warren too, would love to meet any of these guys mentioned.

Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi are very genuine, down to earth, sweet people. Sonny Landreth was also very humble, approachable, and friendly. Richard Thompson almost made me wet myself - he was incredibly witty and hysterically funny.

I had a very brief encounter with Derek 2 years ago, and he did seem like a very nice guy.

I had similar brief meeting with SRV many years ago, and he, too, seemed very down to earth.

It's been many, many years now, but back in the early 70s, Billy Gibbons was a very kind young man that was willing to pass tips on to a 16 year old player (me). He didn't have to do that, but he was always like that. I'd like to think he still is.

duckbunny

07-18-2009, 11:01 AM

+1 for BB King - a true down to Earth gentleman!
-Martin Taylor is a sweetheart of a guy!
-Stephane Grappelli was a kind, gentle and generous man.
- ...as is Pat Metheny!
-John Scofield is as nice as they come.
-Jimmy Page was incredibly humble and kind. (He LOVES to talk about his daughters excellent photography!)
-Tommy Tedesco was one of the nicest guys you could ever have met.
-Allan Holdsworth is a quiet, soft-spoken genius.
-Danny Gatton was like every "regular guy" you really liked. Very nice.

-db

Blueswede

07-18-2009, 11:06 AM

you lucky lucky man indeed.

id bring my R8 over and try to persuade him to drop the strat and join us lester diehards. he`d probably just smile and play his strat in such a way that i dropped the lester :rotflmao

Actually, when I was there, he was playing a Nash LP that was very nice. He mentioned that he might want to part with it.......

Dexter.Sinister

07-18-2009, 11:36 AM

Taj Mahal
http://www.blackpast.org/files/blackpast_images/Mahal_Taj.jpg

Love to be his neighbor. What a big-hearted, solid, man. And a damn fine musician. Every time it rains here, I find myself singing "Light rain" from "Giant Step/De Old Folks at Home" which was released in 1969.

DS

Lo Blues

07-18-2009, 10:21 PM

mark norwine

07-19-2009, 06:27 AM

No mention of Bill Kirchen?

OK.....I'll do it: Bill has this way of making you feel like you've been life-long best friends after about 5 minutes.

Actually being a friend, I can easily say: yes, he's qualified for this thread. He's a damned-fine human being.

ericprsse

07-19-2009, 06:35 AM

+1 andy timmons
+1 santana

bek

07-19-2009, 06:47 AM

Mississippi Fred McDowell, Kim Simmonds, Tommy Castro, KBR, all real nice guys when I met them.

silvertone

07-19-2009, 07:26 AM

Yesss!!!! Kirchen!!!!

LavaMan

07-19-2009, 08:42 AM

Terry Hayes

07-19-2009, 09:36 AM

Vince Gill, Jay Graydon (very nice), Albert Lee, Pete Anderson, Steve Lukather, Steve Wariner, Carl Perkins, Larry Carlton, Lee Ritenour, Abraham Laboriel, and Joe Bonamassa, and Craig Chaquico, all seemed like great people when I met them.

I haven't met him but Brad Paisley seems like a very quality individual.

Terry

decay-o-caster

07-19-2009, 10:06 AM

Absolutely a +1 on Greg V. Every time I've talked to him I've been a blithering idiot fanboy, and he's just the nicest guy about being a relaxing hang and putting you at your ease. A totally fine human - I'm a fan.

Dexter.Sinister

07-19-2009, 11:49 AM

I don't know him but somebody told me that he was a real jerk. But this was from the late 70's.

I can only speak from personal contact over the years. Always sweet and soulful to me and my friends and family and the folks around us and at the music hall I worked at. Never heard an unkind word from him or about him from folks close to Taj. But maybe your "somebody" had a bad experience or heard about a bad experience from another "somebody". :dunno

DS

lawrencedesigns

07-19-2009, 12:06 PM

I find it hard to believe that no one has mentioned Les. I flew back to NY a few years ago to see him at the Iridium, and to have him sign my new Lester.
I ended up spending over an hour with the man, he was incredibly generous with his time, and kept me entertained the whole time.

Another mention has to go to Richie Sambora. I shot Spin City for a couple of seasons and Heather would always eat dinner with the crew. Whenever Richie would come to visit he would be there with us and was always just a "regular guy."

And then there is Paul Jackson, Jr. An absolute great gentleman.

James

07-19-2009, 01:16 PM

Eric Johnson
Tommy Taylor
Roscoe Beck

Wicked nice cats...

Lo Blues

07-19-2009, 01:31 PM

I can only speak from personal contact over the years. Always sweet and soulful to me and my friends and family and the folks around us and at the music hall I worked at. Never heard an unkind word from him or about him from folks close to Taj. But maybe your "somebody" had a bad experience or heard about a bad experience from another "somebody". :dunno

DS

That somebody was actually my dad. He met him. That was just his take on him. He used to put on shows and the only two people he ever talked about in a bad way was Taj and Steve Perry from Journey. But yeah it totally could have been a bad experience or a bad time in Taj's life or maybe he was really insecure back then.. who knows. I'm glad you like him, I dig Taj too. It was just something I heard, nice to hear it's not true at least anymore.

kram21

07-19-2009, 03:59 PM

Ian Gillan and Donald Fagen,and Kenny Aronoff

fyrwyr

07-19-2009, 04:04 PM

Dexter.Sinister

07-19-2009, 04:28 PM

That somebody was actually my dad. He met him. That was just his take on him. He used to put on shows and the only two people he ever talked about in a bad way was Taj and Steve Perry from Journey. But yeah it totally could have been a bad experience or a bad time in Taj's life or maybe he was really insecure back then.. who knows. I'm glad you like him, I dig Taj too. It was just something I heard, nice to hear it's not true at least anymore.

Got it. Thanks for providing context. :beer

DS

Strat335

07-19-2009, 05:38 PM

Lots of people I've met that have been listed, but two I haven't seen that bear mentioning is Mary Chapin Carpenter. Jon Jennings was nice, as well, but Mary just went above and beyond with being cool to us..the opening band.

And Glenn Hughes has been very nice to me and my wife.

Great playing new friends Barry Richman, Doug Worthington, Billy, Joseph L. and Tomo are all very cool people. Best dude on this site is G. Koelling, a bluesman that got me into Teles.
There are more, I'm too tired to think of all of them.

Jason Carter

07-19-2009, 06:02 PM

SmilingDave

07-19-2009, 06:47 PM

Tommy Emmanuel
Scotty Anderson
Adrian Belew
Tab Benoit

fretfreak76

07-19-2009, 07:54 PM

Phil Keaggy, I actually got to jam with him 2 years ago and he told me that I was a good player!!! Now That makes him a very nice guy in my book!!!!

A great guy to hang out with for sure, and very generous;)Phil is such a great musician & person;someone i've been lucky enough to have seen perform both acousticly and electric. Simply put the man is a monster of a player!

jumpnblues

07-19-2009, 09:06 PM

Anson Funderburgh
Tomo

Tom

Wildwind

07-20-2009, 11:03 AM

Peter Stroud (of 65 Amps and Sheryl Crowe) - had dinner with him and a friend in Hollywood during a NAMM a few years ago. Super guy.
Gary Hoey - saw him at a clinic. So warm you'll swear you've made a friend for life.
Phil Keaggy - as already noted in other posts above.
Billy Gibbons - ran into him at another NAMM, very gracious and chatted for a few minutes.
Lincoln Brewster - a blast to be with and a truly great player without pretense.

I've been told Eric Johnson is a great guy - probably already listed somewhere.
Same with Joe Satriani - stories abound of his kindness and friendliness.

bbarnard

07-20-2009, 11:21 AM

Another +1 for Robben Ford and Anson Funderburgh. Anson even let me play his vintage Strat.

Also I would add, Chris Cain (just the most down to earth, funniest guy) and Little Charlie Baty.

sinasl1

07-20-2009, 12:00 PM

VTX-XTC

07-20-2009, 02:41 PM

Will McFarlane. Not as well known as some, but Will is a member of the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section and has been a sideman for Bonnie Raitt and various other major acts. Also a beautiful soul and a great guy to spend time with. He was very generous with his time and advice that really shaped my playing.

+100

I know Will personally. Occasionally, we do lunch and I never tire of his endless stories about life on the road with Bonnie or playing at Muscle Shoals with Taj Mahal or sitting in with Little Feat....etc....
He is the genuine article....and one of the absolute finest guitar players and showmen I have ever seen. If you live within driving distance of Hillsborough, NC, it would be well worth your time to check Will out sometime when he's playing at the Blue Bayou Club....either with his band or with Armond and the Bluesology. It will be a show you won't soon forget. Here's the website for the Blue Bayou Club....

http://www.bluebayouclub.com/

soulmap

07-20-2009, 03:16 PM

Shane Theriot is one of the nicest guys I've ever meet. When I worked in New Orleans he stopped by the company I worked for and needed some glass work done on his home. I went out the next day to give him an estimate and we talked gear and music. He gave me one of CD's before I left and I've been a fan ever since.

I met Shane a few weeks ago; he was playing a gig with Stanton Moore's Trio. He's the first guy who popped into my head when I read the thread title; a damned fine human being.
And a monster player.

Bill Frisell always seemed like a nice guy who would be a comfortable hang - yep:beer. I bumped into him once, standing in front of guitar store window and chatted. He saw me in the audience at his gig later that night at The Village Vanguard and motioned me up after the show was over. He handed me his Andersen Lil Archie, that he designed with luthier Steven Andersen, and continued our talk from earlier.
nice guy

bbarnard

07-20-2009, 07:54 PM

+100

I know Will personally. Occasionally, we do lunch and I never tire of his endless stories about life on the road with Bonnie or playing at Muscle Shoals with Taj Mahal or sitting in with Little Feat....etc....
He is the genuine article....and one of the absolute finest guitar players and showmen I have ever seen. If you live within driving distance of Hillsborough, NC, it would be well worth your time to check Will out sometime when he's playing at the Blue Bayou Club....either with his band or with Armond and the Bluesology. It will be a show you won't soon forget. Here's the website for the Blue Bayou Club....

http://www.bluebayouclub.com/

It is actually Armand and Bluesology. Armand was my first teacher when I got back into playing guitar and lived in Durham. He's also an incredible player and incredibly nice guy. If you are out seeing them (with or without Will) tell him Bill from Gainesville says hello.

Nolatone Ampworks

07-30-2009, 07:39 PM

+1 on Carl Verheyen!

Of those whom I have met:

Josh Smith
Greg V.
Greg Jennings
Lou Toomey
Tom Fujita
Guthrie Trapp
JD Simo
Ty Tabor
Jim Kimball
Rick Derringer
Steve Morse
Alex Weeden
Angus Clark
Greg Howe

+1 on Greg Jennings. I got to meet him in person this week when I hand delivered his 22 Tango (he's the newest Nolatone endorser!). He went with me over to World Music and demo'd the amps for me there, which I'm sure didn't hurt because I signed them up as a dealer! :drink

Aside from that, he's just a great guy to be around and talk gear with. MONSTER player and a true gentleman. :bow

Zero G

07-30-2009, 08:11 PM

Just met Guthrie Govan yesterday...Talked to him for about 40 minutes or so. He was really humble and cool to talk to, not to mention he's very witty. Also met Joe Satriani (twice) and Steve Vai. Satch is super nice and so is Vai. Very gracious and they treat their fans extremely well.

bkd_guitarist

07-31-2009, 07:15 AM

+100

I know Will personally. Occasionally, we do lunch and I never tire of his endless stories about life on the road with Bonnie or playing at Muscle Shoals with Taj Mahal or sitting in with Little Feat....etc....
He is the genuine article....and one of the absolute finest guitar players and showmen I have ever seen. If you live within driving distance of Hillsborough, NC, it would be well worth your time to check Will out sometime when he's playing at the Blue Bayou Club....either with his band or with Armond and the Bluesology. It will be a show you won't soon forget. Here's the website for the Blue Bayou Club....

http://www.bluebayouclub.com/

You're a lucky man to get to spend so much time around Will! I'll check that out next time I'm in the area.

franksguitar

07-31-2009, 09:44 AM

I got to meet James Burton when we opened for Jerry Lee Lewis. Helluva nice guy.

I met James a few years ago when we were on the same flight and while waiting for the plane and got to talk with him for 20 minutes, what a great humble down to earth man

MGuts

07-31-2009, 10:32 AM

Greg Martin.

Lex Luthier

07-31-2009, 12:04 PM

Greg Martin.
Ditto, met him a couple times, seemed like a real nice guy. Even gave me a CD.

CharAznable

07-31-2009, 12:06 PM

I hung out and had beers with Gary Green of Gentle Giant before I realized who he was. Sweetest guy ever.

davya

08-01-2009, 10:51 PM

Redd Volkeart

Ed DeGenaro

08-01-2009, 11:06 PM

In my experience, most guys that are truly great players are nice people as well- I think guys like this know their talent/abilities speaks for themselves, and they don't have to posture or bluster about how great they are or whatever. Warren Haynes, Jimmy Page, Brian May, Robben Ford, and especially Ted Greene- probably the finest guitarist I've ever met- these guys were all gentlemen and very down to earth when I met them.
Agreed, I also think that it's a matter of what you're doing and whether the ego gets in the way. I run into my fair share of hire hand super burners from Nashville and have yet to meet one that I wouldn't think of as "good people.
Basic idea, if you're working and/or getting any kind of notoriety why would any one want to be a dick????? I guess the only obvious reason would be ...ego...because you haven't reached where you thing you ought to be at and that will definitely threaten your self worth. :-)

kendog

08-01-2009, 11:12 PM

I have had the privilege to do many interviews for GuitarJamDaily.com and or work with at some of these guys at Ultrasound. You guys have mentioned many of them. Phil Keaggy, Carl Verheyen, Brad Paisley, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, John 5, Tommy Emmanuel, Guthrie Govan, Frank Marino, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, and many others. Most if not all these guys are really bright and many seem very Spiritual. It is just as enjoyable getting to know some of these guys as it is listening to their art.

scorpio

08-01-2009, 11:16 PM

Richie Blackmore. Super nice. We talked about his strat and Buddy Holly for an hour over scotch and waters in his dressing room............

dohootowl

03-12-2010, 11:25 AM

All three of King's X.

I've met Dug and Jerry, but not Ty. Dug was a little distracted it seemed, but pleasant. Met Jerry some time earlier and he was very gracious.

From personal experience:
Eric Johnson
Joe Satriani
the late, great Grady Martin
Andy Timmons--humorous and conversant!
Warren Cucurullo

dohootowl

03-12-2010, 11:31 AM

Eddie Van Halen? :rotflmao

Sorry, I just had to go there! LOL! :rimshot

Don't bag on Ed too much. A buddy of mine ran into him at a beer store in Dallas (about 25 years ago). He was just awestruck and Ed signed an autograph and paid for my buddy's six-pack.

flogstrat

03-12-2010, 11:33 AM

Bruce Hornsby

dohootowl

03-12-2010, 11:39 AM

Eric Johnson
Tommy Taylor
Roscoe Beck

Wicked nice cats...

Add Kyle Brock, too! I have a friend that plays in a band with him in Austin that says he is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

suckamc

03-12-2010, 11:41 AM

It's crazy to see how Holdsworth is the single most humble guy on the planet.

And yeah, I met Satriani once when I was younger... as nice a person as I've ever met.

todd richman

03-12-2010, 11:54 AM

Warren Haynes
Brad Paisley
David Gilmour
Eric Clapton
Holdsworth

coot tone

03-12-2010, 12:31 PM

Bill Kirchen
Warren Haynes
Richard Thompson
Arlen Roth
Marshall Crenshaw
Peter Buck

and...I can't believe this thread has gone nine pages and no one has mentioned BUDDY MILLER!!! One of the nicest guys ever!!!!

Deacon

03-12-2010, 12:57 PM

Some I've personally met who were really gracious, friendly, and seemed honestly interested.

Carl Verheyen
Jimmy Thackery
Buddy Whittington
David Wilcox (the acoustic guy)
Leo Kottke
Anson Funderburg
Tab Benoit
Derek Trucks

ethereal cereal

03-12-2010, 01:13 PM

Jimmy Herring-regular ol' country boy from N.C.
Humble, down to earth and one of the finest players on the planet. I was fortunate enought to take lessons from Jimmy in the early 90s and still get together with him when he has time off the road (which is very rare these days!) to talk guitars, rigs, music and fishing.
Jimmy and his brother stopped by my business one day when I was overseas. My parents were minding my business for me while I was away. Jimmy hung out and talked with my folks for about 2 hours-having never met them before.

Tommy Emmanuel is another kind soul, always willing to hang out after shows until he has greeted every fan that sticks around to meet him.

jalford

03-12-2010, 01:20 PM

I've been surprised, both pleasantly and unpleasantly by the people I meet in this business. Some guitarists that I've met and worked with who were genuinely really nice people include:

B.B. King
Bobby Weir
Susan Tedeschi
Derek Trucks
Joan Jett
Robert Randolph
Carlos Santana
Trey Anastasio
John Pizzarelli
Peter Frampton
Arlo Guthrie
Jerry Douglas
Jol Dantzig
So those are just some of the more famous guitarists that I can remember, I'm sure there are some others I've met that were really cool too and numerous other monster players of other instrument varieties. There have been quite a few too, who'd go on my other list. It probably wouldn't be professional to list those guys though.

Nick67

03-12-2010, 01:27 PM

I have met bassist Mike Watt a few times. He is a real nice guy. Louris and the Jayhawks were cool guys when I met them as well. Glen Frey was also a polite guy.All business, but polite. Huey Lewis appears to be a nice fella.

AirKuhl

03-12-2010, 02:25 PM

Of the few famous guitar players that I've met personally and spent more than 5 minutes with, the nicest/coolest guys were:

Eric Johnson
SRV
Chris Duarte
John Wesley (Porcupine Tree)

The most interesting one, not necessarily the nicest but the one you'd most like to hang out with for an evening:

Gatemouth Brown.

tribalfusion

03-12-2010, 02:50 PM

Brett Garsed is a really nice guy as is Carl Verheyen and I would also like to single out Scott Henderson who has always been a really solid (and funny) person with me and with everyone I know who knows him

Ciao

Abe

03-14-2010, 11:50 PM

I spent about an hour with Gatemouth at one of his very last shows before he passed. He was clearly not feeling well but still was a very gracious host. It was sad though. His band played most of the set without him and the few numbers he did take part of were sung by the bassist. However, what he was able to play was definitely the real thing. He meant it. I wish I could remember the name of his friend that was with him. She was a real kind lady. Anyway, it was a night I won't forget...

Abe

uberdave

03-15-2010, 12:02 AM

I second Mike Watt one of the coolest bros. Also Walter Trout, Nels Cline,
Ryan Bingham,and Marc Ford. Also forgot the Sadies.

SteveO

03-15-2010, 12:09 AM

I spent about 15 minutes chatting with Albert Lee at a NAMM show in the early 90s. Walking away, I had to remind myself of who he was and all of the people he has played with in his career, he just didn't put off that kind of "star" vibe at all. We didn't talk about gear hardly at all, mostly we talked about the show and everything going on there.

mountain blues

03-15-2010, 12:13 AM

The Hellecasters (John Jorgenson, Will Ray, Jerry Donahue) are really great people.

Mighty Mike Schermer is a class act all the way.

David Coverdale is as classy and refined a bad boy as you could ever hope to meet.

And though I have not met him, Buddy Whittington seems like a truly great human being.

Oh, and Steve DiStanislao - that guy has a heart of gold.

Mule

03-15-2010, 12:15 AM

Greg Koch!:rotflmao

I've meet Greg several times....very down to earth, would never talk down to you.. and he's freakin hilarious

amp boy

03-15-2010, 12:52 AM

bruce cockburn.

buddaman71

03-15-2010, 07:13 AM

I've hung out and even had a few beers with John Jorgenson in Nashville and he's super nice and humble. Also, he happens to be one of my all time favorite players.

Andy Timmons and Carl Verheyen are super nice guys too.

jakob

03-15-2010, 08:01 AM

Paul Gilbert
Greg Koch
Philip Sayce

Brooks

03-15-2010, 08:10 AM

worked w/ rocky athas' drummer in the mid 80's, so i went to a bunch of gigs, he was always friendly and chatty.

smoked a bowl w/ dime back when he was "diamond darrell" playing covers as well as hair band styled originals. also chatted w/ him at many early gigs, and even ran into him at the wave park! always cool and approachable.

briefly met joe pass, charlie hunter, and andy timmons, all were nice.

jtm622

03-15-2010, 08:24 AM

As far as guitar players go, I agree that all of the Texas guys mentioned here (Stevie Ray, Eric Johnson, etc.) are/were nice folks... But these guys also deserved to be mentioned: Alvin Lee, Ed King & Steve Marriot were some of the most considerate guys I met in my long career in a hard rock band that was a perennial "opening act"...

I would like to thank those guys here publicly for going to bat for us and allowing us ample time for proper SOUND CHECKS... :)

joemilitello

03-15-2010, 12:37 PM

Dave Grohl is a super down-to-earth, really nice guy. Great sense of humor.

tele_phil

03-15-2010, 01:08 PM

Jack Johnson is a great guy and down to earth person. He does a significant amount of volunteer work for local causes in Hawaii as well.

relix63

03-15-2010, 03:24 PM

I'm sure there are tons out there but these are ones that I have first hand knowledge of.

Ian Moore
Chris Duarte
Steve Vai
Robert Cray
Scott Ian

The reality is I like most of the guitarists I've met. It's not shocking to me at all that this list is getting pretty big. The only difference between them and most of us is the level of success attained playing the guitar. I believe that I'd think the same of most that post on TGP. We all share a love of music which gives us a lot in common.

The list of lead singers would be much lower for me. :hide2

atquinn

03-15-2010, 03:38 PM

Mike Keneally, Joe Satriani, and Mark Tremonti(!) all come immediately to mind.

-Austin

Bobby D

03-15-2010, 03:41 PM

GREG KOCH!

funkycam

03-15-2010, 04:06 PM

I met Alex Skolnick when he still lived in the SF Bay Area & he was v v cool.

slider313

03-15-2010, 04:27 PM

George Harrison. Never met him but always wanted to. I guess I'll meet him somewhere down the road..................

Les Paul. He went out of his way to make sure everyone was happy after a show. Signed autographs, took pictures and talked shop with me about gadgets and electronics after taking a photo with us.

John Oates. We were pushing originals to record company's in the late 80's in NYC. Met him in the elevator on the way up to drop off some tapes. He went out of his way to make sure the right person got the tapes.