Beautifully played, Doug... and what a guitar it is.. the tone on it is sublime. A very fitting tribute to an amazing guitarist and a genuinely good human being. I met Al once, at the Swannanoa Gathering, more than a decade ago. I'll never forget his warmth and open hearted generosity in sharing his music. He, along with Jorma Kaukonen, are/were my two guitar mentors.
Thank you for this beautiful tribute, Doug. I hadn't heard of Al's passing until today when I got an email from Amy and I am shocked to hear this sad news. The world has lost a magnificent artist and a beautiful, kind soul as well. I'm comforted to know that his music will live on forever and will bring joy to those us who play it and listen to it in the years to come. RIP Al. 🌅
Doug, this is stunningly beautiful - condolences for the loss of your friend, and much appreciation for the musical and written tributes to Al Pettaway.
Beautiful. This will be the next Al Petteway tune I learn. I have Sligo Creek in my repertoire. Al’s passing has a left a big hole that no other contemporary artist can fill. We won’t forget him.
Thanks for this write up and beautiful playing Doug. I think Al would approve. Like you, I was shocked to hear the news. Al was one of the first, if not the first guitarist that made me aware of playing traditional and traditional influenced compositions on steel string guitar in alternate tunings. I remember being in college, reading about him in Acoustic Guitar magazine, then going out to the local Borders and buying his Midsummer Moon cd. I was lucky enough to be able to learn from him and get to know him a bit for many years at the Swannanoa Gathering Guitar Week. He will be missed.
Beautiful tribute Doug. Like many others, I learned how to play fingerstyle by watching Al Petteway's numerous instructional videos. I was watching one when I heard he had passed. A sad day.
Thank you Doug for the beautiful tribute. I took a class from Al at Jorma’s Fur Peace Ranch and I am so glad I had the opportunity to learn from a master like Al! God bless both of you as well as Amy!
Doug, thank you for a wonderful tribute to Al, who taught so many of us to play with something approaching that joy which defined so many of Al's compositions. As always, beautifully played.
Beautiful job, and couldn’t agree more with everything you wrote. Miss him everyday and sad I don’t get to see him around the shop. The Blue Ridge Suite EP he released just before he passed is brilliant from start to finish.
Hi Doug, thank you for this beautiful tribute to Al. It's true, his compositions fall naturally under your fingers not because are easier, but because he was thinking where to play every single note in a natural way and never forced. I met him at the Swannanoa Gathering some years back and I have great memories of him that will stay with me forever. Ciao da Milano.
