Tag: guitar

Posted in Moments of grace

This cabin came with a guitar

Posted on by William Douthwaite

As I looked through the pictures of the cabin, I saw a guitar on a stand. When BBC we arrived, sure enough, there it was in the loft sleeping area.

I was surprised to find it had all six strings. I was not surprised to find it way out of tune. The fretboard was covered with dust and the strings felt grimy.

But those strings held a pick. After seeing the picture I packed a few picks and a capo. Just in case it was playable.

I brought the guitar down out of the oft and sat in front of the piano. Yes, there was an old upright piano, painted white, in the main room of this remote rustic cabin in the Nantahala Forest. The piano sounded like it had never been tuned, but I C should be able to tube the guitar from a low E.

Once I tuned it, the guitar didn’t sound great, but it was playable. I flat-picked through some bluegrass fiddle tunes I’ve been working on. The action felt pretty good.

What brand of instrument was this? “Delta” was printed above the tuning pegs. I peered into the sound hole and and found the model number as well as the expected “Made in China” notification.

I looked up the Delta D42 online, and it’s a $200 beginner’s guitar with decent reviews. What a treat to find something I can play out on the porch, watching leaves fall like rain all around me.

Posted in Ministry

Good News Clubs

Posted on by William Douthwaite

Today, I was asked to lead some Christmas carols at the Good News Clubs our church sponsors. So I printed out a few song sheets, tuned up my guitar, and led kindergarteners through 5th graders through “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “Joy to the World” and a few other classic Christmas carols. Some of them knew some of them. But they didn’t sing anywhere as good as they did for “Jingle Bells.”

For those of you unfamiliar, Good New Clubs are Christian Bible clubs that meet in public school after hours one day a week. That’s right, we teach the gospel on public school grounds, with the blessing of the Supreme Court of the United States of America. About 60 young people attend each week this year (last year’s attendance was higher).

I felt like a superstar. Most of them loved to sing. They all wanted me to hang with their group. They all tuned in to the real story of Christmas. What a great afternoon. I have volunteer credentials for the public schools. But I’ve dragged my feet  getting into the Good News Clubs. I am wary of taking on another commitment. But this was way too much fun. I want to come back. I want to be a part of this.