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Well as some of you know, I was in Toronto this past weekend visiting with Anthony Zlahtic, Alain Deforges and Bob & Rosie Cefalu. But there's a great story behind all this.

Anthony mentioned back in late February or early March that Tommy Emmanuel was coming to Toronto and that he got tickets (a fist full). Anyway, for some time Anthony and I have been emailing back and forth, getting to know each other and he sent out an email to a few others asking if anyone was interested in coming. Well you know, of course I was interested. I emailed him and said "Ya, I'm interested". Well he was shocked cause I live on the west coast (5 hour plane ride) and that would have been one expensive concert.

Well, my wife and I talked it over (we have family in Toronto so I would make an effort to see some of them too) but I came to the conclusion that it would be to expensive for such a short trip (3 days). So I told Anthony that I wouldn't make it. Although one day I'd like to hook up with him and Alain out there (so many OLFer's, so little time).

Anyway, last Wednesday my wife and daughter tell me they have something for me, an "early father's day gift " Ya, like who gets an early father's day gift. Well I open this box and it's a suitcase. On the suitcase is a puzzle. I put this puzzle together to find an airline confirmation ticket (printed off the net). Well seeing as I'm a little bit slow, I'm puzzled. Thinking that my wife is sending me to Toronto to go see some of HER family, I think cool but odd (so slow ). Anyway she has to point me to the date on it. It takes me a bit but I finally remember the Tommy Emmanuel concert on June 2nd that Anthony invited me to.

Well, this is the result of all that



I'm a little stunned for sure. (Duuuuuuu, ya think )

Well, the day after I told Anthony that I wasn't going to make it, my wife emails him asking if I could still come. Sure says Anthony and within the following few days, my wife has booked a plane ticket, and sleeping arrangements (chateau Zlahtic) and DON'T say anything about it.

Well, Anthony emailed some of the other folks who were coming to this mini OLF event and no one said a thing. 3 months and no one (both my family and anyone else who knew about this) said a thing.

I was blown away. What a great wife I got. Thanks honey, your the best.

Well I had some quick thinking to do as I was leaving in less than 24 hours. I called my friend who I built the last guitar for and he said I could take his to Toronto to show my guitar building buddies.

So on the plane I get, guitar went in the plane so I was happy with that and I finally got to Toronto, midnight on Thursday night.

Friday I did hook up with my brother-in-law and we saw the city (usual tourist stuff). Than it was off the Anthony's place around 7 PM.

Well I meet the most excellent Zootman and his lovely bride Rosie (super folk), Alain "Don Ross" Desforges and Mr. cool Anthony Zlahtic. Handshakes all around and we start chattin, having some fine beverages and out come the guitars. Got to see Anthony's new Bob Long guitar (really nice axe there AZ), two of Anthony's archtops (one with strings, one without). Alain brought his first and again one of those first that just blows you away. And I pulled out the guitar I brought (#4).

We stayed up till 3:30am that night just playing guitar, talking about guitars, eating pizza and having a great time.









Saturday morning came to quick to say the least, but it came none the less. We had lunch because it was just to late for breakfast and thought about what we wanted to do for the day. Well Bob mentions the 12th fret and Alain and I both say, "Uhhhhh, Ya let's go" so we hope in the van and get down there.

There were a tone of awesome guitars. Collings, Martin's, Taylor's (one R. Taylor custom), Larrivee's, Bourgeois, Gibson's, Huss & Dalton's, SCGC and one sweet Lowden (check out their web page, it's still for sale. Says it's a TRUE Lowden, not factory) and a host of lesser known guitar builders. There were also a lot of electrics, archtops, classical, mandolins, reso's and a room just for the banjo's.

Well, it's like a kid in a candy shop. We got right to it.

Here's a sweet little Collings that Al really liked



Here's the Lowden (I take back anything bad I've ever said about Lowden's this one was awesome sounding)



And check out the Zootman on that National Reso (pay no attention to all the banjo's though )



That was sure a great little visit to one nice guitar store.

It's back to Anthony's for a quick dinner (excellent meal too by the way) and off to the concert.

My camera really didn't work well so I don't have any good pictures of Tommy while playing.

And the playing. This guy is truly incredible. What a musician, what an artist and what an entertainer. There where moments when I was really laughing, almost crying and most of the time both Al and My jaw's were on the floor (with most of the rest of the crowd). Tommy plays a song called "Mombasa" and he added some of "Toms Drums" in there as well. This blew me away, at the break I went and bought the DVD which has both of these songs on it. And than there is "Initiation" WOW.

What Tommy E does with a guitar is beyond words. I've never seen anyone quite this incredible or amazing. It was truly awesome and something I'm finding very hard to describe. If you ever get the chance to see Tommy in concert, RUN to the ticket vendor as fast as you can. You will not be disappointed.

Now, if that weren't enough, Tony Karol (who's a sponsor for the Toronto fingerstyle association) and an OLFer to boot was there and he came back to Anthony's place along with a couple of his friends, Dave and Paul. Tony also brought three of his most excellent guitars with him. WOW, these guitars are incredible. Now for the next ohhhhhh 3 hours Tony, Paul and Dave give us another mini concert of sorts, just playing good oll Don Ross tunes, some Gordon Lightfoot etc... it was great.



Alain, myself, Anthony and his wife Tricia finally called it a night (er, morning) at 4 am.

Again, the night was short as I needed to get to the airport to make my way back home.

I had an incredible time with my new OLF friends, a great concert(s) and just a well needed weekend away.

Thanks Anthony for throwing such a great weekend bash, you and your family are most excellent dude

One final picture of Anthony receiving his "best host" award from uncle Bob. I think that's BRW wine



Finally, To my wife who gave me this totally unexpected and wonderful gift, thank you, your the best


Sorry for such a long read. I do hope you enjoy it though.

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Dang, I double/triple check the entire post and I miss spell "mini" in the title. I need some sleep

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Wow, what a great post!! This is an unbelievably fantastic experience that non-guitar nerds will never understand, but I do. Playing that lovely Lowden jumbo just caps it all!! Tommy Emmanuel, plus being in great company...wow!!!

If I ever find one to play, dayum, I'll have my pic taken with it, because they are so rare around here!!

/\ A Lowden that is....grrr

[quote](pay no attention to all the banjo's though ) [/quote]

ARRRGGGGHHH!!! Easier said than done!

    I knew it was going to be a great time! Thanx for posting the pix and info! Great wife you have there Rod!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

[quote]knowing as we do that Billy is lurking (hint, hint)? [/quote]

    Already on it my Brother!

Rod! You got real guts posting your pic on my OLF!

   And who the HECK is MINY!

Now, if I can just get those banjos out of my head!

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Billy Dean Thomas
Covina, CA

"Multi famam, conscientiam, pauci verentur."
(Many fear their reputation, few their conscience)

I don't mind if you add to my already ugly mug Billy, I'm a confident man. Just don't turn me into a women

Oh and if you don't mind, post it in the off topics section of your OLF please

_________________
My Facebook Guitar Page

"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

"Generosity is always different in the eye of the person who didn't receive anything, but who wanted some." Waddy Thomson

Excellent post Rod

I would have loved to have been there but you provided the next best thing thanks mate

Cheers

Kim

Great post, Rod! This is such a touching story and very worthy of your wife achieving "Angel" category in my book.

You have a lot of making up to do to recriprocate for this gift...so get busy, dude.

The event sounds like a dream weekend and one I would have loved to attend. You guys have described the TE concert in much the same manner as others who have drunk the Kool-Aid.

The pics from the guitar shop were great. I'd love to see a separate post on everyone's assessment of the guitars that you played and heard.

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Good post Rod - great story too.  It is enjoyable seeing OLFers having fun.  Seems that they are an amiable lot when there are guitars around, and when wouldn't that be... except maybe in some of those ASIA posts.
It all sounds like an enviable weekend to me.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

Looks like a super weekend Rod and all who were there.
You are one Lucky man Rod! Your wife IS an angel.
I don't know how they all kept it quiet,until the surprise!
Great post, thanks for sharing this

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Rod! Great post my friend!

Indeed it was an amazing week-end all about guitars and friendship! Memories to last a life time indeed!

Your beautiful guitar was really amazing, bro... Hopefully I'll get to visit the West coast some day and I can visit your shop and play more of your awesome guitars!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that Bob Long builds a very mean guitar!!! The tone, fit and finish and playability were all top drawer! And what a stunning choice of woods... Cuddos Bob, that's one mean axe!!!

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I'd like to be able to prove, just for once, that money wouldn't make me happy...

Sounds like one hell of a good time for you you guys, all of you!
Your one lucky guy Rod, although Im sure you deserve it!
Cheers
Charliewood

Very cool Rod! You not only got the concert, the travel, and the time off, but you also got to spend time with some real first-class people! I do wish I could have been there.

And, Thanks Alain for the nice comments... I'm certain the "Lutzadillo" has a wonderful home with Anthony!

Long

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"No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” -Heraclitus of Ephesus

Great post! I'm a little suprised that Tommy didn't stop by and have a little social hour with you fellas. Or maybe he did and you just didn't get pics of him. Maybe next year.
Rod, as said before, you've got some serious sucking-up to do to your wife. She did you well. Believe it or not, I actually knew about the plan. Yet somehow I was able to keep my yapper shut.
Maybe you should drop by Montreal in about a month. Check out the show. And think of the frequent flyer miles you'll rack up!

Rod's wife Lianna is an absolute saint and very efficient -- it took a couple of email exchanges and the whole thing was set up. The tough part was keeping it a secret.

Rod's one heck of a good guest -- he even does dishes


We noticed that Al and Rod really bonded over the weekend, in fact they were inseperable (you know I am gonna pay for that )
]

See what I mean


Rod hangin with his bud Tommy E (flash photography hides the Zootman standing behind the glass behind Rod's right shoulder)


A little pre-dinner meal with my pals and family. Note the look on Al's face for the beating he is about to take from my wife Tricia for not eating his greens


All joking aside, it was a terrific and memorable weekend which was sadly over before you know it.

Ain't he photogenic!

No pics of the lovely and gracious Rosie or Tricia or the little Zlahtic angels!!!??? C'mon, dude...sprinkle a little beauty in amongst the monster shots

Anthony, it sure looks like you were the perfect host and I'm still so bummed that I couldn't make the trip.

Alain looks like he lost a few pounds from last year's party. Anthony is as fit and handsome as always. The Zootman looks the same as each year passes. And Rod looks just as I had imagined from his posts and communiques. All are the best friends anyone could ever ask for!

P.S. Tommy looks like meeting Rod was the highlight of his tour!

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JJ
Napa, CA
http://www.DonohueGuitars.com

Great Thread
Love the picts of our fellow OLFers

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Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

I'd love to do something like this in the Uk....

Hey, did we figure out what on earth does "miny" mean? I love that word.....mighty yet tiny...

Careful Sam, I'll be visiting family in Scotland and the Lake district in July.

Miny, is'nt he part of that Moe clan? Yeah, that's right got a bro calls himself Meaney and a Sister called Eaney

Cheers

Kim