Today was a very special day for me. I got to hang out with long time friend Randy Hughes. Those of you who do not know Randy, he and his son, Will own and operate Hughes Guitar & Repair in Fairview NC. In my earlier days I would head over to Dunham's Music House in Asheville NC and would love to play all the guitars I could get my hands on. There was this soft spoken guy that put up with me as I said can I try that one and another. then yet another. Always with a smile, he said sure. Well that guy was Randy Hughes. It came to pass that I was probably over there every week and he would see me coming and say hey Van, probably thinking "is he ever gonna buy anything?" Never did he give me any grief for the constant questions and hanging out. Over the next few years I did actually buy a few things and Randy became one of my favorite people to see. I can still smell the amps and guitars to this day. In one of my earlier blog post I talked about getting my 1st 4 track tape recorder, yes that tape machine that started me on my journey as a Recording Engineer was sold to me by no other than Randy. While I was dreaming of my musical future, I believe Randy was too. Randy was a great musician and guitar tech while working for Dunham's but was destined for greater things. So while I was working on my future career, Randy was working on his. He has been doing guitar repair for many years and is sought after by many of the best players in the country. Eventually he set his sights on building guitars with his son, Will. They have quickly become one of the most revered Guitar builders in the world today. Randy and Will's attention to detail is incredible and that was very apparent to me as I stood in their shop today. To look at a block of wood and then see the masterpiece they created out of that block of wood was breath taking.
Over the years Randy would drop by on sessions I was engineering and hangout with me and the guys. Randy was always encouraging me and complimentary on my work and we have developed a great friendship over the years. It was awesome to see him in his world and me playing the guitars he and his son created from scratch. I love to see people who reach for their dreams, work hard and do not cut corners to get there. Randy and his son do it right and with humble hearts.
Thank you for a wonderful day Randy!
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