A Gold Top Les Paul and a Stripper Girlfriend
This is what Thanksgiving means to me.
A couple of days ago, Guitar World confirmed that Gibson, the iconic guitar company, had issued a cease and desist to an enterprise called “Trump Guitars” over its use of the Les Paul body shape.
Although the Grifter-in-Chief does not own the company making the guitars, he autographed a select few, which are sold out at $11,500. The unsigned models are $1,500 (also sold out), so one could assume that Herr Donald is pocketing a sizable percentage of that premium.
What does this have to do with Thanksgiving? Or stripper girlfriends? I’m glad you asked.
Ray Wylie Hubbard is a Poet and a Prophet
Gratitude is important. Over at The Bulwark, Mona Charen has a nice little article about the importance of counting our blessings while we live in the MAGAverse. I agree with her; gratitude for what we have is incredibly important in these difficult times.
About a decade ago, I heard something about gratitude that literally changed my life. The lesson is contained in the last lines of a song by Ray Wylie Hubbard.1
After listing some of the things he’s grateful for, he says,
“The days that I keep my gratitude higher than my expectations…
Well, I have really good days.”
That statement struck me as one of the most profound things I’d ever heard. I know that sounds hyperbolic, but there’s something I have to admit.
I can be an asshole. Really. For whatever reason, I go from slightly annoyed to furious with no space in between, which means I often lose my temper over the slightest defect and end up saying and doing things I regret.2
I’ve worked hard over the years to control this temper and had some success. But nothing helps me put things in perspective more quickly than simply remembering to keep my gratitude higher than my expectations.
Every time I feel that hot rage start to build, I remember to be grateful and keep my expectations in check. It’s so important for me that I had “G/E” tattooed on my left hand, my dominant hand, in the most visible part.
I’m also grateful to Ray Wylie for drawing me an autographed picture featuring the line3, which I keep above my desk.
I hear you asking, “What does all of this have to do with guitars and stripper girlfriends?!” Well…
Mother Blues
The line that means so much to me, that so inspires me that I tattooed it on my body, is the last line of a song called “Mother Blues” on the album The Grifter’s Hymnal.
The song tells the story of a young Ray Wylie, hanging out at a Dallas bar called Mother Blues. The song opens with,
When I was a young man about 21 years old y’all
All I wanted was a stripper girlfriend and a Gold Top Les Paul
I thought about the song when I saw the story about Trump Guitars and Gibson’s efforts to protect the Les Paul design. And then I remembered that, at its core, the song is about gratitude.
Just like Thanksgiving.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Remember to keep your gratitude higher than your expectations. I am grateful for you.
If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Hubbard’s work, I strongly suggest you introduce yourself. One part Johnny Cash, one part Dr. John, and the rest, well, he’s completely and thoroughly unique in this world.
If you happen to be someone who has experienced this, please accept my sincere apology. I know I was wrong, and I’m ashamed of my behavior.
Before you go thinking I know people…I paid him for the picture.
As a longtime Ray Wylie fan, I approve this message!