by Motivation Expert, Jim Cathcart
Allan Karl, the world motorcycle tourer, joined me on a ride up the California Coast this week and took the following video. We had stopped for refreshments in Big Sur, California among the giant redwoods, and wouldn’t you know it, the store had some guitars for sale! I borrowed them and played a tune on each one. Here is one of the songs: Don’t Think Twice by Bob Dylan. I hope you enjoy it.
Cathcart Live In Big Sur from Allan Karl on Vimeo.
And here is my first “Music Video” also done by Allan, from some of the other songs I played that day, mixed with actual footage from our ride on the coast highway that day.
Jim Cathcart Performs Roadside In Big Sur! from Allan Karl on Vimeo.
Nola was the store keeper and she enjoyed the music too. Allan and I rode from Cambria to Castroville, then went separate ways. I continued on to Santa Rosa in the wine country of Northern California where I attended the Healdsburg Guitar Festival 2011, presented by Luthiers Mercantile International, Inc. at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Inn in Santa Rosa.
I’ve uploaded 80 photos from the trip to my Facebook page. You’ll see hundreds of high-end guitars, an assembly of some of the world’s finest guitarists and every imaginable resource one would need if you were to build your own custom guitars. Some of the players included: Tony McManus • Al Petteway • Laurence Juber • Vicki Genfan • Teja Gerken • Kinloch Nelson • Stevie Coyle.
While I was on this trip I had several fun experiences. In San Simeon (Hearst Castle area) I stayed at the Silver Surf Motel and asked the check in clerk, Benjamin, if the hotel by chance had a guitar on site. He said, “I have one in my car!” He brought it in and let me play it. I tuned it for him and then sat by the fountain in the courtyard and played and sang a dozen songs. People came out on their balconies to hear, and many who walked by slowed their pace to hear the music. Then a young couple stopped and he, Brian, opened a case and took out his ukelele! It turns out that he’s a skilled musician and he joined me for a spontaneous Jam Session of about 20 songs. It was magical. He started playing along even before we spoke. Music truly is the universal language.
In Santa Barbara before my main trip commenced, I stopped at the factory & HQ of Seymour Duncan Acoustic to conduct a sales training seminar for their team. Seymour is world famous as the designer of high quality pickups for guitars. He’s also a master guitarist. He told me that he had recently been playing with James Burton who backed up Elvis and many more.
I rode straight through San Francisco and twelve zillion cars & trucks, across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Marin County and on to Santa Rosa. Upon arrival in Santa Rosa I checked into my hotel, freshened up with a swim and went to the opening night guitar event at the Last Day Saloon. It was packed and fun! Be sure to try their Fish Tacos and the Great White beer.
The next day I personally inspected, strummed or played about $2,250,000 worth of guitars! Seriously, there were 118 luthiers in attendance each displaying around 5 of their best instruments which averaged in price around $5,000. Some cost over $20,000 and some “only” $2,400. You’ve got to attend this event at least once if you love guitars. I met the man who did the custom inlays on Martin Guitar Company’s 1,500,000th guitar, the DaVinci, Harvey Leach. I have a brief video of this guitar on my YouTube page.
After a full day of playing guitars and meeting makers I went to the Cellars of Sonoma wine bar nearby and met Robert, their guitarist who was singing in the corner as guests sampled the wines. He let me sit in for a few songs and I had a delightful time entertaining both those in the restaurant as well as those passing by on the sidewalk. Ahhhh, I love this!
The next day, Sunday, I rode through Sonoma, Napa and many vineyards, then down Hwy 680 to San Jose, and on south via farm road Hwy 25 to finally stop in Pismo Beach for the night. There’s a small simple looking hotel there called The Beachcomber Inn (7 rooms) that you must check out. Outside it looks like a simple motel, but the rooms are immaculate! Copper sinks, wood shutters, reading pillows, iPod radio, flat screen TV, microwave, coffee maker, every appointment you can imagine, covered parking and 1/2 block from the water. Grace is the manager and she’s a delight. Skip the big hotels with the same rooms as each other and stay in this boutique hotel next time.
After a great run on the beach this morning I rode home with one stop at Fess Parker’s Hotel (Davy Crockett) in Los Olivos, CA, the wine country featured in the movie Sideways. It is a wonderful life indeed. Thanks for letting me share my adventure with you. Now go make your own adventure plans. You deserve a special treat.
