Every once in a while when we're working on a new guitar design at Taylor Guitars we run into someone who really impresses me as a good soul. Tommy Shaw (Styx, Damn Yankees, Shaw Blades) is one of those kind of guys. Left to right...Tommy's guitar tech Jimmy, Bob Taylor, Tommy and I.
We're working on a signature guitar for Tommy so I've been working on a set of pickups that would really capture the legacy of his sound as well as offer him a new inspiring tone for his future.
Styx was playing at the House of Blues here in San Diego last night so I met Tommy a couple of hours before the show to try out the final design through his rig.
As much as I enjoy talking about guitars and invention I also really enjoy being with and working to compliment really great people like Tommy. If there is an ego involved somewhere I'm sure it's such a small part of his personality that you might have to hit him with a bat to bring it out. Artists like Tommy make you want to do nice things for him. They make you want to inspire him with great guitars.
It goes unsaid that not all artists are shall we say...easy to get along with even when your doing something nice for them. Well this situation is nothing like that which is why I thought I would take a second and write about it.
At our trade show in Jan this year he and Jack Blades (Night Ranger, Damn Yankees) came to our booth to do an acoustic version of their hits. Again...not only was the performance truly awesome we had a really good time with everyone in their crew. That in itself is an indication of the quality of folks that surround these guys.
I won't go on and on so let me just say this....If your a Styx, Damn Yankees, or Shaw Blades fan or not....behind the music is the type of substance that is worth supporting. Good people who love making good music... and it shows!
2 comments:
Hi David... Thanks for posting this blog. It just really proves that Tommy is a good soul, and he loves to perform his music. Jack Blades is also a very nice person as well. Tommy and Jack are extremely talented musicians, but yet they remain "down to earth." That's what makes them so admirable. :)
I've been a fan of both Styx and Night Ranger for years, and, I sing professionally. I know what you mean about "egos," and it is truly refreshing when you get to meet and work with people who are "gifted" and "nice." In an industry dominated by "me, me, me," it's nice to read about artists who are both exceptional as well as the exception. Thanks for writing about Mr. Shaw and Mr. Blades.
Debra Miller, Tampa, FL
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