Inspiration is a powerful force.

So, it hit me!

Larry walked into my life and and sparked an idea and in turn bought a guitar from me that he loves, I talked to him a few weeks ago and he still thanks me for selling it to him. A perfect transaction because we both got the best deal (the CraigsList documentary is coming!) I'm still friends with someone I bought a Mandolin from 5 years ago.

My instruments claim a space in my life like no other possession. They're a portal to the infinite when played and lounging beauties not. We never own our instruments entirely. I see myself as the steward of my guitars, they give pleasure now but some day they'll be better off in the hands of another player. I do look forward to seeing the face of the person that gets my prized one.It's like looking forward to the end credits in a film.

An inspiration developed into an idea and it was time to examine it from all angles and see if it had legs to run and roots to grow. Ideas come and go, most of them fizzle out after awhile and the good ones take on a life with time and thought. They stick around and grab ahold of you, beckon you from sleep and then present themselves in your daily life, everywhere you look. Synchronicity meets you at every step and lubricates the wheels that drive it forward. Happenstance and "magic" are just the fruits of a well intentioned and sustained effort.

A film about musicians, the not-famous ones, the one's who play for no monetary gain, speakers and guardians of the purest and most universal language. "Amateur" is derived from "Amator" it means "lover". To practice something for the love it is the purest intention possible..the idea now had integrity - always a good start.

Most of the films I had seen we're about fame,un-realized fame, 20 feet from fame, untouchable technical prowess. or a slow motion train wreck. How is our most precious and shared language confined to corridors of commercial success?

I like these films but they do little to inspire the everyday player. The player who apologizes for not being professional or shrinks themselves when put on the spot.The expression of music is valid. The "everyman" is the one who keeps it alive by buying instruments, albums, concerts etc.

I talked about this idea with a lot all of my collaborators, sought advice from filmmakers that I admire, laid awake at night and thought of ways to shoot and not to shoot, things to avoid, I started meeting a lot of musicians in my travels and on Facebook - it seemed that my entire life had been laying groundwork for this undertaking. I had and idea and an environment that was ripe with possibility..I just didn't have a plot to unify it all - maybe I didn't need one - but it kept me guessing.

My good friend and mentor of sorts Robb Bindler helped me develop the idea and even came up with a great title (I'll mention that later). I found out that the domain name was a "premium name" that had just become available and I bought it right away. Laying the groundwork for the beginning of shooting.

Meanwhile, about a year ago in my musician life a friend and turned me on to The Acoustic Guitar project..a creative platform that is used to inspire musicians globally. It started with 1 guitar in New York that would travel from musician to musician who would record one song in one week, sign the guitar and pass it on. The project is now on all continents (except for Anartica) and there are 38 guitars in circulation. Great idea right?

As a musician, I love vintage guitars, the history within is a secret but you know it's there - this project gave the guitar a history and I could be one of the voices to sing it's glory.

I reached out to the founder and creator of the project Dave Adams a few months ago. I wanted to write a song and he wanted to talk to me as a cinematographer about shooting a pilot series, 3 stories of musicians in different cities - a portrait of the creative process.

How is a song written?
How are struggles turned into inspiration?
Is a bad song valuable?
How does a new guitar/voice ignite a song?

You know when you talk to someone on the phone for the first time and you feel like you've known them forever? Like your first word to them is a continuation of a previous conversation that never happened?

As Dave explained the goal of the series and the heart of what he wanted to communicate I couldn't help but think of my project and how similar it was. I could see all of the themes that I wanted to express in his platform.I realized in a moment that we were better together than separate. After his pitch to me I laid it all on the table and told him about my film and how similar it was but in some ways not as developed because I had no global platform or more importantly a plot.

I told him about my idea....silence.
He asked "What's the name of your film?"
I said the name "........ ......" (which I'll save for later)

"Are you serious!?" "I tried to get that domain name and it was taken...by you!"

All that was left to do was work out the details...

At the end of my life - I hope there are countless more experiences like this. This circumstantial magic that occurs when you're on a path is always fresh and feels like the first time..

And that song of mine is on hold..I'll have something more to say after we complete this journey.