I started playing (I mean learning) banjo when I was 18. My hero was John McEuen, banjo player and multi-instrumentalist with the Nitty-Gritty Dirt Band. 'Clinch Mtn. Backstep' and 'Randy Lynn Rag' ('Uncle Charlie' album) . . . unbelievable . . . I wore that album out. When I first saw the 'Dirt Band' perform live at Tulagi's on the Hill in Boulder, CO (circa 1972) . . . I could only marvel at John's banjo and fiddle playing. I grew to love that music more and more . . . and who could have guessed that love, that passion, would grow to mold my life and career.
John McEuen was first introduced to ZETA when John McFee (of the Doobie Brothers) loaned him his ZETA fiddle during a gig at Cheyenne Frontier days. It was the mid-80's and after that first introduction John pursued getting his own ZETA . . . and has been playing one ever since.
I've been following John's music and career for so many years, including the 'String Wizards', and enjoyed reading his recent book 'The Life I've Picked'. WOW - what a great read! So now here it is, ahh . . . well . . . ahh - a long time later, and as the owner of ZETA Violins I couldn't help but reach out and see if he was interested in replacing his old ZETA with one of our current Acoustic Pros. He thought it a grand idea and so his new ZETA fiddle was born (after a little collaboration of course).
In John's words:
" It is unusual, this fiddle. I almost feel like someone 'did a deal with the devil' as from the first bow draw I sounded better than I ever have, which continued as I played it .... and then tried it out in a concert. It continued to make it just seem easier, and like a great book, it was hard to put down! Then taking it to its first show yesterday (Sat., 3/15), at the incredible Folly Theater in Kansas City, many people went out of their way to say 'that's a great fiddle'... Rodney Dillard (I had him on the show too) even commented that I had never sounded better and he has heard me since the beginning. Thank you Zeta/Steve for making my music , and because of it my show, better!" John McEuenโฆ
. . . and thank you John McEuen . . . a full 'Circle' for me for sure my friend. Hope to see you on the road one of these days. ... See MoreSee Less
