Top
Welcome

Happy to be read by you.  Please visit this page to find news about my own writing and my work with Rifftrax, Mystery Science Theater and other such fun.

Rifftrax

 

Birdemic! New from Rifftrax! AAAUGH!!!


 

TWITTER
Things
This form does not yet contain any fields.
    The Rundown
    « On W00ting and W00tstock (versions 2.2 and 2.3) | Main | Sad Lunch. »
    Friday
    Apr022010

    Ode to a Stolen Guitar

    DateFriday, April 2, 2010 at 10:50AM

     

    This will be the second post in a row in which I've mentioned Rosanne Cash, but I have my reasons. This post concerns a guitar, her guitar, a pre-war Martin, stolen in 1979.

    How the hell would I know?  Why should I care? Because I use Twitter.  I'm a twitterer.  It helps my business and encourages compact, no-bullshit prose.  The personal benefit is that it entertains me, and I get a small peek into the lives of some people whose work I've admired and enjoyed for years. One of those people is Rosanne Cash, a woman who has transcended the mantle of family talent and fused for me the meaning of a true crossover artist. Lady can rock, but she can also croon, swing, kick back.

    If there's any theme I've gleaned from listening to her music over the years, it's Rosanne's inherent ability to face sadness.  That theme hit me like the surf last Friday when I read this:

    Thanks SO much to everyone who RT'd the specs on my stolen guitar. Once more, just to get it out there far and wide: http://bit.ly/9BQqa0 

    Which led to a page at the Stolen Guitar Registry.  Here you'll find a description of the guitar - a 1942 Martin D-28 herringbone.  Rosanne has offered a thousand dollar reward for it.  Now stolen guitars make it far and wide,around the globe, through pawn shops, flea markets, online exchanges, all the usual ways purloined goods are trafficked. But this guitar, a pre-war Martin D-28, the same model used by the likes of George Jones, Hank Williams, Elvis on up to Steven Stills and Neil Young.  Paul McCartney wrote Blackbird on his.  This is a wanted guitar, and no doubt Rosanne's instrument has been sold and resold and has traveled like a gypsy to wherever it might be now.

    But here's what hit me, the description line:

    1940's era Herringbone D-28, in case. Stolen off the curb at LAX, April 1979. Note in sound hole "To my daughter, Rosanne, love, Dad. Johnny Cash"

    Damn.  It's a short story.  It's a song lyric.  It's a found photograph. It's heartbreaking, devastating, true, timeless, worn in, lived. And the guitar, a wanted instrument, becomes something from the Empyrean, whose value to its owner contains the meaning of "priceless", and whose possession by anyone else can only be understood as cowardice, and whose return would be an act of sincere compassion. 

    And here's why it hit me: My own dad died in 1992, and ten years before that after I'd reached a certain milestone in my life, he'd bought me a Gibson F5 mandolin,an icon in its own right, which I still own and play and will never, ever sell, so don't ask. If it was stolen, it would break my heart, and I don't know if I could ever let it rest.   There's a bit of my dad that lives in that instrument, resonates when I play it, at least for me.

    So my first reaction to Rosanne's Stolen Guitar Description was to pick up my mando and croak out a tune to the words.  Before I finished a verse I realized that I would not be the one to do this.  It could only be Rosanne. The words belong to her, the guitar belongs to her, but what the guitar means to her belongs to the infinite heart of the world.  

    Think of the story these words unmask. Imagine what kind of journey that guitar has taken.  Immediately my mind bounces to Johnny's song "Tennessee Flat-top Box" and how good it would sound coming out of this guitar.  And the imagery - I mean, if your Dad was actually in your guitar, even in an inscription, the meaning and the emotion of the thing would pour out of it and become part of the tone.  

    You know that tone.  You've heard the D-28 sound and never known it as such.  It's out there, backbone of some of your favorite songs, but now it's different, there's an ancient connection, father and daughter, that lives in the wood of this thing. The D-28 Martin will never mean the same thing to you now.  It's an angels' harp in a beat-up case. 

    So I imagine a song, and the song I imagine starts with that description on the Stolen Guitar Registry, and ends when the guitar comes back home.  Or doesn't.  See, in a song it doesn't matter.  Joy and pain walk arm in arm in a song, and so Rosanne, having told us about it, gives it to us, and hopefully receives something in return.

    I truly hope that you get your old Martin back, Rosanne.  But either way, if you haven't already, think about writing that song...

    -kwm

    AuthorKevin Murphy | Comment91 Comments |

    PrintView Printer Friendly Version

    EmailEmail Article to Friend

    Reader Comments (91)

    Hi Kevin,
    I'm happy to find that you have a site of your own, I am another longtime Mstie, occsional Mandolin player, and I was born in Minneapolis, but now live in Austin, TX. I love the Gibson F5! I have a lowly Flatiron (Gibson Era) A model mando, although it sounds and looks great for the price & has the fretboard extension on the highside to mimic the F5. When I just read that you play as well, (after fainting in disbelief) I also wanted to share this link with you at the sotheby's auction site for when they sold Bill Monroe's ripped Gibson headstock cover a few months ago. In the description they detail how he was super peeved at Gibson for some "upgrades" they did to his beloved Lloyd Loar and ripped the logo from the piece and didn't speak to them for almost 20 years!

    http://bit.ly/9dkYs2

    I love Rifftrax, keep 'em coming! Can you post a pic of your mando? Would that be bad?
    -Bryan Eagle

    April 5, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBryan Eagle

    I read this with mountains of empathy... My grandfather's piano sits proudly in my living room, and every time I play it, I think of him. Granted, a lot of those thoughts circle around the story he never finished that started, "This one night? When I was playing piano for Al Capone?" But every time I touch those keys, I remember.

    Beautifully written Kevin.

    (And *HUGS* for Ms. Cash.)

    April 5, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterJen Johnston

    Bryan -

    Don't sneeze at that Flatiron, it is one mean instrument. Steve Earle has a couple. ANd yeah, I loved seeing Bill Monroe's Ghost Gibson headstock. He was a (ahem) man of strong opinion, from what I've heard. I'll post a pic of my F5 the next time I write about it. -kwm

    April 5, 2010 | Registered CommenterKevin Murphy

    Hey, Kevin.

    I'm an English major, so I thought I would just put you in the know about the subjunctive verb tense of the English language. Whenever you use "if" or "I (he/she/it) wish," or when talking about anything which may happen or could have happened, you should use "were" instead of "was," i.e. instead of "if your Dad was actually in your guitar," say "if your dad WERE actually in your guitar."

    Hopefully that made sense. Go here for more info: http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/were.html

    Just start by paying attention when you use the word "if" and make sure you do not use "was" with it. It's not hard, and you'll sound smarter! Also, that was pretty much the only grammatical error I noticed in your whole post. Good job! And good post!

    April 5, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterCara

    Hey Kevin:

    Another longtime Mstie here... glad to find you! Very distressing to hear about RC's Martin :(
    You've done a great service in getting the word out!! She's got to be at least a step closer to being reunited with it!
    I can relate to the tale about your F5.. My parents bought me a Martin D35 when i graduated HS (way back in '71), and I'd lose both hands before I'd ever sell it. Still has that sweet tone, even though I seldom get to hear it anymore (an untenable situation which will be corrected!).

    btw I rotate old episodes of MST3K on my ITouch.... keeps me sane!

    Bob
    I

    April 6, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterBob Borch

    This is beautiful, Kevin. I really hope someone returns it to her someday.

    April 6, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterRenee Bisel

    Mr. Kevin,

    I have often basked in the brilliance of your prose but with this entry you have burnished my eyes with bittersweet tears. As you write so beautifully, "joy and pain walk arm and arm in a song", just as they do upon our journey between the cradle and the grave. Our souls too are weather-worn instruments that reverberate with timeless remembrances of all those we've loved and been loved by, both living and dead, who have filled our hearts with the most glorious music. I thank God every day that my Dad, my big, beautiful, powerful, gentle, heroic, soul-caressing, love-filled Dad is still here upon this blessed earth, still walking arm in arm with me, still being who I hope to become.

    Dan

    April 8, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterDan Noutko-Kennedy

    Kevin,
    I am not an English major and would not care for one steaming second if your grammatical skills were taught to you by a Snow Monkey who lived his entire life in Fresno, Ca. or even George Lucas. I simply enjoy your thoughts on the various subjects you bring to our attention.

    Thank you, won't you.

    May 21, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterS. LaP

    Created at the rolex day date ii for salecrossroads of vintage and velocity, iwc watches|
    the very contemporary TUDOR Heritage Chrono, a timely addition to the very TUDOR Sport

    September 24, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterreplica watches

    custom air jordans
    air jordan true flight
    kids air jordans
    nike jordan sneakers wholesale
    Authentic Jordans
    Cheap Air Jordans
    jordan
    jordan shoes
    michael jordan shoes
    Authentic Retro Jordan Shoes
    Cheap Retro Jordan Shoes
    Retro Jordan Shoes
    air jordan flight 45
    new air jordans 2009
    real air jordans
    Nike Sneakers
    deadstock sneakers
    deadstock kicks

    November 15, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterfdfd

    I have never read such a wonderful article and I am coming back tomorrow to continue reading.
    Chanel replica

    December 5, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterfffff

    illegal.
    cheap HP Laptop Battery Ban Ki-moon ugg boots

    for the collection and analysis of the survey also included his
    cheap Lenovo Laptop Battery
    cheap IBM Laptop Battery management style and decision-making information.
    ugg boots sale the Deputy Secretary-General, representatives of five permanent members.
    wholesale laptop battery The task of the survey, including UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon,
    cheap laptop battery address, telephone, fax and pager numbers, and even aviation Member account

    December 6, 2010 | Unregistered Commenterwholesale laptop battery

    Great post,I so much love this post. thank you sooooooooooooooooooooo much for uploading it.
    Your blog is so informative ? keep up the good work!!!!Lyle & Scott polo shirts for men

    December 27, 2010 | Unregistered Commentermurphy

    Xinhua Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang Salzburg Austria and met with the governor Schaden Mayor uggs outlet
    of Salzburg Zhang Dejiang said that the current sound development of Sino-Austrian relations increasing ugg outlet
    cooperation in various fields the two governments started to actively promote cooperation between the ugg boots sale
    two places Salzburg tourism rich cultural resources environmental protection cultural industries has advanced experience chanel sunglass
    and technology and Shanghai China Hainan and other provinces and cities have established friendly coach outlet coupon
    relations and fruitful cooperation conducted Hope to strengthen exchanges between the two places complementary moncler outlet
    advantages and promote common development said that in response to the international financial crisis ugg boots sale uk
    the Chinese government the right decisions to promote global economic recovery a positive and
    important role Sa present state and some parts of China provinces and cities have
    established friendly relations and cooperation is an effective and smooth Mesa State hopes to
    further cooperation with China to understand the local learning Chinese and expand exchanges and
    cooperation with each other The same day Zhang Dejiang also examined the future of advanced composite materials Co

    January 17, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterpresent state and

    Yangtze Evening News that had to make people think the summer of when Italian Claudio Ranieri to leave the Chelsea scene Claudio Ranieri ugg outlet
    was on vacation Chelsea received a telephone call to his and told him not to go to work the new season There uggs outlet
    is also Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini the club did not inform him face to face leave Perez Pellegrini said he was ugg boots sale uk
    seen after the Spanish media reports did not know he had been fired Daily Mail said the coach fired this way coaches rolex replica
    can only show the club between the top and nearly broke and both sides have to face frank exchange of views that vibram five fingers
    can not be the point In fact dismissed Hodgson probably the result of intense struggle the club level this will be to coach factory outlet
    ease the internal contradictions of a good way It is worth mentioning that before the confirmation to take over Liverpool Dalglish and coach outlet store online
    wife Marina in Bahrain is on vacation The holiday period of one week the temporary interruption of the holiday Dalglish Liverpool prepare tiffany and co
    for the FA Cup against Manchester United back to the game However the way Liverpool notice Dalglish is also very special no ugg boots outlet one to call him or face to face but Kenny Dalglish Liverpool Football Club to a mobile phone text message sent to inform him quickly back to the Liverpool office

    January 17, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterof one week the

    Morning News the day before the Christmas tree or holiday characters Christmas lantern decorations holiday had turned into a trash in the waste Widely used plastic Christmas tree it is difficult to degrade and the recovery value is very low have become environmental hazards At the same time the tree will increase its recycling rate loan because of the rents and prices is almost the same only a handful in Shanghai should be How to live a green Christmas as many environmentalists ugg boots outlet
    these days are most concerned about the topic Christmas decorations into the environment near the Christmas killer all shopping malls the hotel entrance were decorated Christmas tree Reporter visited and found that most of these trees are made of plastic or synthetic materials and hung a large number of plastic ornaments lights and Christmas gift boxes and so on About of the decorations will stay to the warehouse out next year continue to use Relevant sources a mall in Shanghai the uggs outlet
    annual Christmas tree has become a selling point for creative business Competition in order not to repeat the arrangement of the previous year a lot of jewelry even Christmas tree lights will not be used again after the holiday will be when lost as waste Recycling rate is the LED lights up and this year with blue red next year and still some changes Reporter in the interview that since these are mostly discarded without use of the Christmas rubbish recycled ugg boots sale uk
    materials there are significant pollution risks SHANGHAI industrial waste recycling services based environmental consultancy Jiang Yufeng told reporters Christmas trees flowers and all kinds of jewelry chain in the vast majority of ingredients used in the synthesis of biodegradable plastics or materials recycling post recycling inconvenience Solid waste treatment in accordance with relevant standards and requirements the approach is sound utilization or incinerated However there are still a lot of garbage last Christmas have been sold to scrap the guerrillas acquired burberry outlet
    some small treatment plant environmental protection equipment to conduct small workshops without refining processing processing of direct discharge of waste causes serious pollution to the environment and destruction Jiang Yufeng also said that Christmas lights inside if it contains mercury lead and light sticks of the main raw material if handled properly may cause pollution of groundwater Consumer choice into the lease only two out of environmental considerations which two years in the United States Canada and other countries have launched coach outlet
    a Christmas tree rental business welcomed by the local people Reporter found that there are some enterprises in Shanghai ongoing tree loan business but because the rent and the price is almost the same little interest loan business Yesterday the reporters call a Christmas tree a rental company to provide telephone said leasing a Christmas tree to a term of about days Service personnel told reporters that the lease price of Christmas trees from tens of dollars to several hundred per christian louboutin outlet
    month to provide delivery service the fees will be increased So with round-trip shipping to and the cost of buying a Christmas tree is almost the same The service staff also said that it is Christmas trees in some commodity prices have been on the market only a few dozen dollars so there is no individual consumers to lease the Christmas tree Another Christmas tree in the road springs rental companies charge also told reporters that only two leased into the cheap uggs
    tree about customers and the reasons are not environmentally friendly loan most are temporary exhibition company requires a lot of Christmas tree Commodity market in the Yu Garden an exclusive Christmas gift shops boss told reporters that during the financial crisis last year because sales are not busy there are too many bosses have launched Christmas rental business but they are not out of environmental considerations but also to lease customers not much Turn for the better this year business sales rental slowly began to cancel

    January 17, 2011 | Unregistered Commentermarket in
    Page 1 2 3 4 5 ... 5 Next 20 Comments Most Recent Comment ยป

    PostPost a New Comment

    Enter your information below to add a new comment.

    My response is on my own website »
    Author Email (optional):
    Author URL (optional):
    Post:
     
    Some HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

    Notify me of follow-up comments via email.