We thought we'd share a sampling of letters and e-mails we regularly receive from
Taylor workshop attendees, and the Taylor dealers who host them. They substantiate our belief that the opportunity to get "up close and personal"
with an admired artist, in an atmosphere conducive to learning and application, is of great value to all concerned.
ONWARD AND UPWARD
 Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate attending the Taylor-sponsored guitar workshops. Pat Kirtley was absolutely great at the Guitar Center in Roseville, Michigan! He really inspired me to push myself to a higher level and to buy that 614ce that I love so much.
Rob Kickhofel
Via the Internet
MELODIC DOUBLEHEADER
I attended the Taylor workshops hosted by Melodee Music (Sterling, Virginia) featuring Artie Traum and Pat Kirtley. The clinic was great! Please continue this very worthwhile endeavor!
John A. Fugel
John A. Fugel Communications
Ashburn, Virginia
Via the Internet
A BEGINNER'S INSPIRATION
I was very glad to have met Mr. Kirtley through your sponsorship of
a guitar workshop at the San Jose branch of Guitar Center. It is free events like this that inspire a beginning guitarist like me to keep up my practice when I encounter
obstacles. I never knew of Mr. Kirtley's name before, just as I didn't know anything about Taylor guitars before, but now I will never forget either one. You can bet that
I'll be looking at Taylor models the next time I'm in the market for a guitar.
Jin Hsueh
Via the Internet
THE ENTERTAINER
Thanks very much for the Taylor workshops, in general, and specifically the Pat Kirtley workshop February 11 at Fifth String Music, in Sacramento. Pat is very gifted and
entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop. Thanks again.
David Thomas (future Taylor owner)
Shingle Springs, California
Via the Internet
MUSICAL RENEWAL
I recently attended one of your workshops at Melodee Music, in Sterling, Virginia, given by Pat Kirtley. I had a great time, as I think did all of the 150-plus people
who packed a good-sized auditorium for Pat. Your workshop was a good setting to showcase the talents and creativity of someone like Pat, who gave a very personal,
entertaining, and instructive presentation. I find that I need something like that occasionally (or someone like Pat) to renew my love for the guitar, to help develop
new techniques, and to expand my musical tastes.
I've had classical guitar training, but you can get bored even with Bach, so I have two Taylors, and I love Pat's Travis-style work on a steel string flat-top. Many
thanks for making guitarists like Pat available so far from your factory in El Cajon, California. I hope that your workshop program continues to expand. I have one
suggestion: make sheet music (tab or notation) of your workshop guitarists available on your website. It would be nice to work on a piece or two by a workshop guitarist
before attending their session. Many thanks again.
David Laing
Washington, DC
Via the Internet
HAT'S OFF TO PAT
I just wanted to send you some feedback about Pat Kirtley's workshop at Jackson's Music Store in Winston-Salem [North Carolina] last month. I have a degree in classical
guitar performance, and I also perform quite a bit on steel-string guitars in altered tunings. I think that Pat did an excellent, well-paced workshop, and presented the
material in a way that was very interesting to a wide variety of players. My hat's off to him. Of course, his playing is phenomenal.
All in all, I really enjoyed his workshop, learned some neat things, and felt inspired to go home and play and write tunes. I hope that Taylor Guitars will continue
helping to make these kinds of workshops happen!
Fred McKinney
Via the Internet
ADDING TO THE GUITARSENAL
I attended Pat Kirtley's workshop last November, and also concert/workshops by Doyle Dykes last spring and this fall. All three of these events have been most
rewarding, entertaining, and inspiring. As a guitar player, I gained a great deal from these events. So, I wanted to send a thank-you.
I do not (yet) own a Taylor guitar. I have tried out a few, and I am uniformly impressed with them. Taylor is one of the premiere guitar builders in the world.
One day, in the not too distant future, I will be adding a Taylor to my guitar arsenal. I was very encouraged by Pat Kirtley when he told us he owns 18 guitars.
I only have six, so I can tell my wife I still have a ways to go to keep up. Best wishes to you all and thank you again.
Philip Jones
Potomac Falls, Virginia
WELL WORTH THE TRIP
Just a short note to tell you how much I enjoyed the Taylor workshop by Pat Kirtley in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was entertaining and very informative, and
most of all an outstanding guitar player. I drove three-and-a-half hours to see Pat, and it was well worth the trip!
P.S. Pat made that Taylor guitar sound so beautiful that I'm going to buy one sometime soon. Thanks.
Dr. Darris Wine
Via the Internet
DECISIONS, DECISIONS
I went to a Taylor Guitars clinic at Melodee Music, in Sterling, Virginia to see Pat Kirtley. About one month earlier, I went to another Taylor clinic at Melodee
to see Doyle Dykes. Thank you so much for sponsoring these clinics. They are definitely worth the time and expense involved. I would love to purchase a Taylor
guitar in the near future, but I can't make up my mind between a six-string and 12-string. I love the 12-string, but after hearing Doyle Dykes and Pat Kirtley play
the six-strings, I'm not sure anymore. I guess I'll have to get both. By the way, I haven't seen any 12-string Anniversary models.
Bill Young
Via the Internet
THUMBS UP, PAT
I saw Pat Kirtley at the "North Carolina Thumb & Fingerstyle Guitarists Convention" a couple of weekends ago. He certainly does Taylor proud, both by his playing
and his personal demeanor.
Ed Kelley
Via the Internet
MARS, BRINGER OF PAT
We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the workshop Pat Kirtley put on at the MARS music store in Raleigh, North Carolina. Pat is a wonderful guitar player and
a really good teacher. He is certainly a credit to your company and a fine ambassador for your products. Thanks again.
Tom and Lynda Lavender
Via the Internet
ONE IN A GAZILLION
Saw Pat Kirtley at Melodee Music in Sterling, Virginia. Had a wonderfully musical and informative workshop/concert. Previously, I had attended two performances
there by Doyle Dykes. Can't thank Taylor Guitars enough for doing this. Please have more of these. They are wonderful.
Sorry, but I am not a Taylor owner (yet). I am a bluegrasser and play a [different brand]. However, when my son, Jason, turned 21, a little over a year ago, he
asked for a "good" guitar for his birthday. We looked high and low, played a gazillion guitars, and purchased a beautiful Taylor 410ce from Melodee Music. He is
totally happy with the guitar, and I am totally happy knowing that he plays that guitar on almost a daily basis.
What more could I ask? Well, nothing insofar as that Taylor guitar is concerned. Keep up the good work. And, thanks again for promoting guitars, guitar playing,
and music. You're doing a wonderful job!
Richard Brady
Oakton, Virginia
Via the Internet
FINGERPICKIN' GOOD
I just wanted to comment on Pat Kirtley's recent workshop in Fredricksburg, Virginia. I thought it was great. I'm a fairly advanced fingerpicker, and my wife
doesn't play at all. We both thought it was an excellent workshop. My two cents worth (and worth every cent).
Joe Lipman
Richmond, Virginia
Via the Internet
CLINICAL SUCCESS
I just wanted to thank you for the two recent guitar clinics I attended at Melodee Music Center in Sterling, Virginia. I had the pleasure of seeing Doyle Dykes and
Pat Kirtley, both of whom taught me something new to add to my playing, and both of whom have increased my desire to own a Taylor guitar someday. Thanks again.
Please send more representatives in the future.
Tom Guidice
Via the Internet
A CLEAR CASE OF KIRTLEY
I am writing to let you know what I thought of the clinic that Mr. Pat Kirtley put on at the MARS store in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have only been playing the
guitar for two years, and am not very literate when it comes to reading music, so I am not able to play much of the music I want to. Mr. Kirtley made everything so
clear, even to my girlfriend (I dragged her there), who doesn't even play. I was very pleased at the forum that was put on, and would love to see more of them come
to the greater Raleigh area, or anywhere remotely close.
Not only was I sold on Pat's ability, I was sold on Taylor guitars. I have made it very obvious to all who are close to me that I will own one someday. I have known
about Elixir strings for some time now, and am glad to know that my new Taylor will come equipped with them.
I would like to know how I can find out where clinics will be held and when (i.e. is there a list at www.taylorguitars.com that I overlooked?). Any information at
all would be very helpful.
Lee R. Matthis
Via the Internet
[Ed. note: Yes, Lee, the "Artists/Clinicians" page of our website has that information updated daily. Simply click on the "Artists" link on our new home page, then on
"Clinicians", and you'll be right where you want to be.]
HOUSE BAND IN THE MAKING
I wanted to express my thanks for setting up Pat Kirtley's recent clinic. I have been playing since college, mostly just a "duffer" who plays for fun. I have two sons,
one nearly 16, one 12, who have both started to play in the last few months. They came along to the clinic, and my older son, who is not the greatest student, asked to
borrow my pen, and took nearly two pages of notes as Pat spoke. To see the sparkle in his eye as Pat played was something I really appreciated.
I know traveling is never fun, but I wanted you to know that you had a big impact in at least one young player's life. I am off to get him a new guitar, and if I can
afford a Taylor, you closed a sale last night. Thanks again for all you do.
Mark K. House
Herndon Virginia
Via the Internet
THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT
Typically, I am not one to take the time to write to manufacturers or vendors of any kind, unless I have a complaint (this is not a complaint). I constantly find myself
wanting to write to Taylor Guitars to compliment your company on the exceptional guitars you produce, the great information on guitars and music you distribute to your
customers, and, of course, Taylor's constant commitment to excellence. I know that this is no small task, and I want you to know that we, your customers, love you for it.
I attended my first Taylor workshop last night (I travel extensively in my profession and am very busy), and I was absolutely floored! Pat Kirtley is a giant talent and
was inspirational. The workshop was very instructive, and Pat's style and down-to-earth manner made the entire event very, very enjoyable. I ended up purchasing two of
Pat's videotapes and three CDs.
Please continue to subsidize these outstanding events. Also, let me say that Melodee Music is a top notch dealership. In the short time that I have known Rob (the owner),
I have developed a very close relationship with him. He is totally customer-focused, offers great, personable service, and has invested heavily in a small concert
auditorium under his store to sponsor events such as Pat's workshop. Taylor, you guys are the best!
PS. I own six Taylor guitars and two Babys.
Randy Hall
Via the Internet
IN GOOD HANDS
I would like to thank you for sponsoring the Pat Kirtley workshop at the MARS music store in Raleigh, North Carolina. Pat is a fantastic artist using a very fine-sounding
instrument (514ce). This workshop format was interactive, enlightening, and very informative. Please schedule another workshop in this area soon.
Attending Pat's workshop has renewed and affirmed by belief in your product, and inspired me to continue to practice (using, of course, my Taylor 514ce). Again, thank
you very much for this opportunity to view your product in the hands of a truly talented artist.
Michael Pennington
Via the Internet
SIMPLY SUPERLATIVE
I want to thank Taylor Guitars for sponsoring an excellent artist such as Pat Kirtley, who conducted a clinic at Pearson's Music Store in Greenville, North Carolina. He
was superlative. I have never been so entertained. His helpful instructions were clear, timely, and done with enthusiasm and a sincere desire to help everyone. A longtime
guitarist of note, Lannie Spain, said to me, "I cannot come close to this man." And Lannie is a great guitarist.
Wow! What a rep for the quality of your guitars. If money were available, I would've rushed up and purchased one immediately after the seminar. They are as amazing as
instruments as Pat is at playing them. Thanks to all of you at Taylor for such a fine service.
Jim Hathorn
Via the Internet
HIGH POINTS FROM HIGH POINT
I want to thank the "family" at Taylor Guitars for the workshops you have put on at Jackson's Music Store in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. I bought a Taylor 414ce to go
with my Baby Taylor, because of the friendliness of the Taylor staff and the wonderful folks at Jackson. Thanks for helping us to enjoy our Taylors with the opportunities
you present. Pat Kirtley did a great job!
Rodger Ragan
High Point, North Carolina
Via the Internet
A REAL TREAT
Just a note to let you know how much I enjoyed Pat Kirtley's guitar workshop here in Burnsville, North Carolina. He was entertaining, informative, and inspiring! Thanks
a lot for sponsoring this; we don't get a lot of people of Pat's caliber passing through our little town, and it was a real treat.
P.S. You make beautiful guitars.
Rob Levin
Burnsville, North Carolina
Via the Internet
THE WARREN REPORT
I recently had the pleasure of attending one of Taylor's clinics at the Guitar House in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pat Kirtley was wonderful. Thank you for providing such a great
service to your customers.
Warren Thomas
Via the Internet
TONE + ABALONE
Pat Kirtley, thanks for being so accessible at the Winfield festival last year. I was at each of your concerts. There is a conflict for a guitar player like me, who
wants to glean some tricks and techniques by watching you closely, but who catches himself with eyes closed, caught up in the music.
I purchased your Irish Guitar CD, and I am so happy that you put the tunings on the jacket. I know you must have heard that a hundred times, but I appreciate your
willingness to impart that info. What we need more than anything else from you pros is basic support, and by adding the tunings to the songs, it shows a willingness
to support us.
Last Saturday, my wife and I drove to Denver, got a hotel and a babysitter, and spent the day shopping for guitars. I picked out a new Taylor 514-CEAB. Twenty years
in-between guitars is a long time, but I am so inspired to become better that I thought it was time. We had a great time. You told me at Winfield that you are
impressed more by tone than by abalone, which I have quoted to all my guitar buddies, but in my case I got both. It's beautiful! I am learning "Finn MacCool's Reel"
[from Irish Guitar] for starters - that is a great tune. Thanks a lot!
Joel Thompson
Via the Internet
MORE, PLEASE!
Thank you for sponsoring Pat Kirtley's clinic at the Guitar House of
Tulsa, Oklahoma. It was fantastic. Keep them coming.
Norm Leighty
Tulsa, Oklahoma
IT'S PAT!
Just a quick note to say how much I enjoyed the fingerstyle guitar workshop by Pat Kirtley at Jack's Music in Conway, Arkansas. It was a
wonderful chance to watch a very talented person, and pick up a few pointers as well. There was a lot of Taylor literature available, but no
one was pressured to buy anything. Thanks for making such an enjoyable workshop available.
Larry Hester
Conway, Arkansas
FUNDING THE FUN
I took my two sons to the Taylor Guitars/Pat Kirtley workshop last night at Audio, Light & Musical in Norfolk, Virginia. It was excellent! We learned a
great deal and enjoyed ourselves. I just wanted to thank you folks for funding this series.
There were several reasons why this added up to a great event. Pat was a class act - not only a great guitarist, but a good teacher, and a very
relaxed, open fellow. He had an organized, two-hour program with goals, and an outline handout. He offered something for everyone from beginners
to advanced players, and fielded questions throughout the evening. Pat was able to separate his melody and accompaniment and play the individual
parts, and then slowly put the parts together to show how they interacted.
The next positive influence belonged to Taylor Guitars, who organized, and funded the whole deal. There wasn't a single sales push through the whole
show. Pat stated that though Taylor existed to sell guitars, the point of the seminar was to teach, and that's exactly what he did. No ads. No arm-
twisting. Finally A,L&M provided the space and PA, and also didn't twist arms, even though they sell Taylor. Bravo.
By the way, I've been working up to buying one of your K-14-C guitars for a couple of months. I've just got to get my
funds squared away. Thanks again for providing this interesting and informative seminar. You can't help but positively affect your image with this
class act.
Bob Womack
Virginia Beach, Virginia
OUTSTANDING PAT
I attended my second Taylor clinic last night at the Guitar Center in Falls Church, Virginia. This one was with Pat Kirtley; the earlier one
featured Christopher Shaw at another guitar shop in this area, about a year ago. Each month, I check the schedule and find that I am usually frustrated
at the lack of Taylor clinics here. However, the Guitar Center said they plan to hold several more Taylor clinics at the Falls Church store, which
has only been open a couple of months, and Pat said that Taylor plans to expand the number of offerings in the year 2000.
Pat's clinic was wonderful. There was a full house, so not enough room for us to play along with his instruction, but that was a minor disappointment,
as Pat spent two full hours talking about his style of playing, his influences, and how each of those influences play a part in his music. On one song,
he described the Earl Scruggs banjo roll and the Mother Maybell Carter picking style, then played the song, calling out which style was being used in
which section.
Following the program, Pat spent a significant amount of time talking with folks, answering questions, etc. In both the earlier workshop with Chris
Shaw and this one with Pat Kirtley, both men emphasized that they were not there to "endorse" Taylor guitars. They each said that they came to use
Taylors on their own, and were lucky enough to have Taylor choose them to share their music with other players, as clinicians.
I've found that Taylor guitars are sold mostly by word of mouth, from player to player. Your clinics are an extension of that process, rather than
a sales pitch. That is a refreshing approach, and I congratulate Taylor Guitars for avoiding the temptation to "employ" musicians as a product
endorsement process. Instead, you find wonderful musicians to teach us to be better players, and we meet other players in our area. In the end,
we will probably buy more guitars. This process is a win-win for everyone involved. Thanks for sharing these folks with us.
Jim Carpenter
Silver Spring, Maryland
PROFOUND PLEASURE
I had the privilege to attend Pat Kirtley's workshop at Guitar World in Overland Park, Kansas. I have been a fingerstyle as well as electric blues player
for a long time, and attended the clinic to see what others are doing with the style. Pat's playing was magnificent, and I got some ideas for
things to try. One thing Pat touched on was his cascading arpeggio, played with a banjo-like right hand pattern, and combining fretted and open strings.
I loved it.
By the way, Pat, I'm in the process of learning "Grandpa's Lullaby" [from Rural Life] and enjoyed your story
on how it was created. Isn't it funny how the simplest but [most] profound things occur to us when we least expect it? I will be performing it for my
friends and family as soon as I practice it enough to do it justice. Thanks for putting on a delightful and informative clinic. (It was actually the
best of all the clinics I've attended at Guitar World!)
P.S. I am a proud Taylor guitar owner of about five weeks, a 714 cedar top.
Jeff Wehmueller
Via the Internet
A-OK IN OK
The Taylor Guitars workshop with Pat Kirtley at Tulsa, Oklahoma was very good, and I appreciate it very much. Pat is a good teacher and the Taylor
guitar sounded great. I can't say enough good about the experience, and it seemed to me that all 60 or so folks felt the same. When I am in the
market for a new acoustic, I will truly look at Taylor. Thanks to Taylor Guitars for presenting these workshops.
Al Chastain
Via the Internet
CENTS OF A WOMAN
I have attended two of your recent clinics in the Cleveland, Ohio area and am "sold" on your instruments. If I buy a Taylor, will I sound like
Steven King? I was wondering, though — do you take requests? We would love to see Pat Kirtley in Cleveland sometime. Well, that's my two cents.
Thanks for these great clinics.
Deb Ing
Via the Internet
JUMBO JOY
Thank you for the marvelous-sounding 855, which I have been enjoying for the last several hours. I admired it all during
Pat Kirtley's workshop (I know several others did, also), and I just knew it was going to sound great. Now, after playing it all night, I
know that I will be enjoying many more hours of playing time.
I would also like to thank y'all for the great workshops that are presented for our benefit. Pat Kirtley and Doyle Dykes are excellent ambassadors
for you, and each opened up new channels and areas for me to explore — avenues I hadn't heard of before — and that just adds new dimensions to the
guitar world. If they ever stop doing these, I'm not sure what some of us will do.
Thanks again to Bob and Cindi Long at the Guitar House of Tulsa for having the clinics at their store. They are all very knowledgeable, and I enjoy
dealing with the crew. Always friendly, helpful, and great to deal with.
Travis Morgan
Via the Internet
A HEAD ABOVE THE REST
I recently attended a Taylor-sponsored Pat Kirtley workshop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wow, was it fun and educational. I thought you'd like to know
that Pat did a great job representing your product. I have not been in the market for a new acoustic guitar for probably 15 years; both of my [other
brand guitars] are early '70s models. However, I've seen quite a few Taylors recently.
In fact, I just started a small group of four guitarists that play a variety of acoustic and folk/country/rock tunes. Three of us play [another brand],
but the lead guitarist (and the envy of us all) plays a Taylor. When I suggested that he play one of my [other brand guitars] for kicks while on stage,
so we all could play the same brand, he replied, "Why would I want to lower my standards?" Needless to stay, he stuck with the Taylor. Thanks for the
great program.
John Michl
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Via the Internet
THE LATE SHOW WITH PAT KIRTLEY
We had an excellent turnout for Pat Kirtley's guitar workshop. Our main floor was packed, and very few left during the two-hour presentation. Pat is a
phenomenally talented and diverse artist who took care to address his presentation to the various skill levels and stylistic interests of the audience.
It seemed as though Pat could not get enough of his audience, either, as he stayed late to answer questions. As it turns out, one of the attendees was a
writer for a music publication that was interested in reviewing Pat's performances. I'm certain the goodwill and publicity Taylor and Water Music get
from events like this have tremendous long-term repercussions for the acoustic guitar industry.
I also have to mention the superb job Amy De Groot and your public relations department did on this promotion. We have done numerous clinics in the past
with other vendors, and nothing has ever approached the level of professionalism, communication, and preparedness exhibited by your company. In retrospect, I have to say that the response and interest generated by this event far exceeded both our expectations and the cost of the promotion.
Dave Peterson, Owner
Water Music
Stillwater, Minnesota
MINORITY OPINION
I want you to know how much I enjoyed seeing Pat Kirtley at Water Music in Stillwater, Minnesota. This is the second Taylor clinic I've attended
and Pat was worth the trip. I drove a ways to attend, and was glad I did.
Pat was funny, musically gifted, and immensely entertaining. He's also an excellent teacher. I took notes on his suggestions and techniques.
He also played a couple of different Taylors, which was fun to hear. He crammed lots of information into two hours. I could have listened even longer.
Thank you for providing us Taylor players with such great "clinicians". It helps to reinvigorate me and motivate me in my "musical journey". I did
notice, however, that I was in the minority in a crowd of about 45 people; most of whom were men. Any statistics on this? Do more men than
women buy Taylor guitars? [In my experience], more men than women sure attend Taylor clinics. Anyway, thanks again for your continuing support to your customers.
Mary C. Sweeney
Mendota Heights, Minnesota
[Ed. Note: Although more and more women are buying and playing guitars, men still outnumber them by a wide margin. That is reflected in
workshop attendance and in sales figures. But it is changing.]
THE CITY KID FROM RURAL KENTUCKY
Pat Kirtley's workshop was a delight. The intimate setting of the small Appalachian Bluegrass Shoppe in Baltimore played perfectly
for music from Pat's newest album, Rural Life. Pat took some of the mystery out of fingerpicking by explaining various techniques clearly,
interspersed with the humor of a guy who thought that growing up in Bardstown, Kentucky (population 3,000) made him a city kid! On top of
being a superb guitarist, whose music made you grin, sigh, shake your head, his teaching style was incredibly informative, while he still
had the patience to meet the needs of an audience whose playing abilities were quite varied. I drove home with his Irish Guitar CD playing,
thinking "this has got to be one of the nicest Monday evenings I've had in a long time!"
Of course, the room was full of Taylor owners, so for 15 minutes prior to the start of the clinic, a group of total strangers turned into
old friends, an "alumni club" of the "University of Taylor" — comparing notes and thoughts on wood, strings, models, pickups, and
everything Taylor. It was a great evening. Thanks for posting workshop notices in Wood&Steel. I would not have known about it otherwise.
Don Lincoln
Via the Internet
INSPIRED TO TACKLE
We attended Pat's workshop at Guitar Showcase in San Jose, and attending
that class was the highlight of the month, personally! Pat covered a lot of material, played excellent and inspiring music, and
covered technique in great detail. I simply want to express my thanks for a wonderful, inspiring evening.
The best thing I derived from the class was Pat's honesty and his encouragement for guitarists to try to tackle difficult,
demanding guitar pieces. And, to use the fingering that works best for us. I've been using my thumb to fret the low string a lot
since the seminar, it really works! I play a Taylor 510, and would like but cannot afford a more expensive Taylor, as yet.
Finally, my current interest is Celtic fingerstyle. I was fortunate enough to study with Martin Simpson at the Acoustic Guitar
Festival in San Rafael, California in August 1998. Once again, thank you, Pat!
Robert Huguenor
Via the Internet
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