My Letter to Keith Richards
Hello Keith! My name is Ken LaVoie, I live in Winslow Maine with my lovely wife Deb and my daughter Elissa (19), whom I call my "best girls". I've' been playing guitar since I was 10 years old (I'm 55 now), and the Stones have been my favorite since I was 12 or 13. I went to be with my Dad when I was that age and he turned me onto "Get yer ya yas out" and the first solo I learned was the live "sympathy for the devil" where YOU start it, and I think Mick Taylor takes over and adds some fills. I use open G a lot, and I think my rhythm style is a lot like yours. (Though my lead style is more like Mick Taylor's)
My personal dream since then--never changing--has been to jam with you. I know this might be a long shot; I mean I don't deserve that honor any more than the next in a long line of people with the same wish. But I want it very dearly and I'll jump through plenty of hoops to earn it.
Why? I love your style. I love your work and now that I've grown up a bit, what I really see more than the music is this "freedom" of spirit, that "I don't regret nuttin'" attitude. I struggle with taking myself and life too seriously and I crave the openness, fearlessness and spiritual freedom that you show. I live my life from the neck up it seems, and your music has taught me to play from the neck down. That's about it in a nutshell. The only time I get "out of my head" is when I get "behind the axe."
So please let me know that we can Jam. Tell me what I gotta do and I'll do it. Whether it's a short ride to Connecticut (4 hours drive) or a long trek to Parrot Cay, you name the place and I'll get me and my girls there. (I gotta bring my best girls, I hope that's ok!) My wife would never forgive me if I met my hero and she wasn't there to see the shine in my eyes and my little girl ... well 'nuff said! (And I promise to wear my Keith Richards for President T shirt!) You're also welcome to come here. We'll put you up in style and make sure we stock all the best.
Thanks for the gifts you've given
Yours in spirit, Ken LaVoie
www.kenlavoie.com
207-873-9321
ken@centralmaineweb.com