I've also met a number of guitarists thru the G4 Experience and Vai Academy guitar camps. Had breakfast with Guthrie Govan one day and lunch with Andy Timmons.
Yeah, those camps give a bit of a head start on this topic
I could fill a page with people from that roster, but more than just a passing introduction...
Cheating, another camp, but with only 19 attendees (which is like 10% of the usual ones)...the Aristocamp. Actually got to hang out with Guthrie Govan (shared one of his hand-rolled cigarettes), Marco Minneman (learned where their song/label Boing! I'm in the back! came from), and Bryan Beller (funny/not so funny divorce story there). At that same camp I did a private (drum) clinic session with Chad Wackerman and talked with him for several hours about his time with Zappa and Holdsworth. I also played drums for Michael Manring. That was a fantastic week
(lesser known, but perhaps to some on here, Francis Dunnery was also at that camp and he's a friggin treasure on his own)
Before covid I loved going to the Iridium club in NYC and would usually end up there several times a month. I got to be on pretty good terms with Mike Stern and Dennis Chambers, also Randy Brecker. Dennis is one of the coolest dudes in the business, Mike just seemed high all the time
I beat Mike Mangini 2 out of 3 games playing 8-ball.
Locally my band has opened for Virgil Donati (he was kind of a dick), Neil Zaza (awesome dude), Tony MacAlpine, and Soften the Glare (Ryan Martinie from Mudvayne) twice, they were all awesome too. Also opened for Corey Glover with a different band.
At the Woodshed camp last year I got to sit with Joe Bonamassa and jam for a bit, on (one of) his actual '59 Pauls through his Dumble Overdrive Special. Kind of a trip to be playing a guitar & amp that cost as much as my house, but it still sounded like me and not him. Joe was super cool in person.
That camp this year I did a few Brad Paisley songs at the evening open mic and had Brent Mason back me up on lead guitar, that was a crapload of fun. He's got stories for days. As does Robben Ford, especially about his time with Miles Davis.
Got into a slightly heated debate about who the next EVH-level of influence would be (or if there ever would be) on guitar with Mark Lettieri and Andy Wood. Did a few shots with Mark and then played drums while he played and sang Master of Puppets. He's a goofy 80's metal guy at his roots. Ben Eller was on bass for that one.
That's enough for now
with few exceptions all have been completely normal dudes who love that they can have a career doing what they do, and love sharing that passion with others.
edit: one more...any jam band people know Yonder Mountain String Band? I went to a bluegrass festival over 20 years ago and saw them on what was one of their first ever tours, they were on the little side stage. We talked to them for a long time after their set, just about what it's like being a bluegrass combo on the road. I didn't really follow them for a while after that and one day saw a video of them playing a headlining set at Red Rocks. Good for them
Which famous musicians have you met in your life? Was there a particular person who stood out to you for any reason (good or bad) or have a cool story? Musicians are known to be quirky but are also some of the most amazing people on the planet. It’s great to meet those who you look up to.
