Originally posted on MySpace on July 10, 2007.Up to now, you've been introduced to my first two guitars, both unique in their own ways. Well, there's a third...the Ibanez PF-104. Back in February, the radio station 94.7 WMAS in Springfield, MA had an eBay auction for a John Ondrasik autographed guitar to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. Even though I had a lot of Five For Fighting signed items, guitars are always nicer. And, the opening bid of $39.95 was an additional enticement. I decided to go for it, later setting my high bid...the most I was willing to pay for it. Well, I ended up losing the auction, as someone outbid me. I was OK with that...I still had my two guitars.
A month later, I was surprised to see the radio station auctioning off another FFF signed guitar for the same charity. When at first you don't succeed, try, try again...and, I did try again. This time around, I came out the winner...and, I actually paid about $400 less than the previous guitar went for, which was sweet. A very quick four days later, my new guitar was delivered. The Ibanez is a Dreadnought style acoustic guitar, and it came in a soft side gig bag. It didn't look brand new...there were some light scratches on the pick guard...but it was beautiful nonetheless, especially with John's signature on it. Since I had no paperwork for it, I wrote the company, submitting the model and serial numbers. From that, I was told that the guitar was manufactured in 2004, so I was right about it not being brand new.
Around this time, my groupie road trip plans were in full swing. I had already bought my concert tickets, made my hotel reservations and plotted out my route. I was very determined to meet John at some point, and I had been thinking about what I could take with me for him to autograph. A few days after I got the guitar, I made my decision...I would take the guitar with me on the trip and have John personalize it. I had lots of room in my Blazer, and it would be the perfect opportunity to make a great guitar even more special.
As I traveled south from Washington to Bakersfield, CA, I quickly set up a routine each time I stopped for the night. I unloaded the bare necessities from my car, and toted them to my motel room. Included in the mix...the guitar. No way was I taking any chances leaving it in my vehicle overnight...it was precious cargo.
On the day of the Bakersfield show, I drove to the Fox Theater with high expectations. I knew this first venue was probably my best chance of meeting John, since I had so much time beforehand to wait it out. Well, if you read my previous blog, you know my encounter with John went better than I could ever hope. After I got my photo with John, I asked him if I could have a couple more minutes of his time. John mentioned still having to do his soundchecks, but asked what I wanted. I told him if it wasn't too much trouble, I had a couple of things I brought for him to sign. John thought for a second, then told me it was better to do it then rather than later. I rushed to my Blazer to retrieve the guitar. As I pulled it out of the gig bag, I explained to John how I obtained it. Since we were in the alley behind the theater, the only handy place to lay the guitar was on a garbage dumpster. John asked what I wanted him to put on it, and I suggested something related to my groupie road trip. He ended up writing "You're our number one fan! Thank you!"
After that, I presented John with the other item...a poster I had brought for him to sign for a friend, who was also a huge FFF fan, and who John knew from email correspondences. The poster was a two-sided promo deal, and John signed the side showing him sitting inside his beloved Mustang. Right after he finished doing that, he looked at me and exclaimed "I want to draw on my face!" I was laughing inside, but pretty controlled on the outside, considering the request. I did some quick thinking, and suggested to John that he do his art work on the flip side, which showed his Two Lights album cover. John then proceeded to draw glasses, a goatee and devil horns on his head. It was a perfect example of John's sense of humor and not wanting to take himself too seriously.
The Ibanez is now in a display case over my front door...yet another amazing guitar in my collection. As for the poster, it was delivered to my friend...she loved it! There probably aren't a lot of people who have some of John Ondrasik's impromptu art...that's pretty special. Who knows, maybe someday those little squiggles might be worth something. OK, I'm laughing on the outside now.
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