Stewart Degner on JMB's New Old Show

Stewart Degner was about 14 when he got his first guitar, learned basic chords and such, took a music class , but quit after one lesson. "I figured , like most kids, I should be a rock star in about a month, and this guy shows me a bunch of notes in a book." He never did learn to read music, the books with chord diagrams kind of worked fine, other kids showed mhim stuff... some of it stuck. Basically just plinked for years, folk music mostly. Degner then Left home about 5 minutes after HighSchool. "No guitar. blew up the car in LA, lived on the street for about 6 months, joined the army, no guitar, got out, bought a classical Yamaha at a pawn shop, plinked that thing for years, school, wife, kids, job, Plink plink plink." One Saturday, My youngest son 17, walks by me during plinkdom. "Hey Pop, You play pretty good. You should record that."A fuse was lit. My plinks earned names. Acquired a better guitar (Fender strat) Practiced a lot. and often. A couple years later, I had never played for anyone except my wife. (She likes what I play) but .... I needed an audience. I had worked for the guy at Baskin Robins, and asked if I could play out in the gazebo out front? He said he would spot me a milkshake for the effort. After the terror of ONE person stopping to listen, and look at me at the same time, I didn't die! A couple years later. I had "crowds" of 6 or 8 people . Little ones with Grama and Grandpa. Some local musicians would stop by with encouragement and playing tips. A couple brought guitars and played with me. Stuff happened... DeersLeap winery in Napa had a brand new tasting room. A manager from there asked me to play at the opening. They paid me $250 for a couple hours. And it was on after that. You can catch Degner at the Friday Farmers market in Depot Park, among other places.