TomFest

Summer. It's the only 3 weeks of sunshine and decent weather we get all year in Seattle. (kidding.....sort of)

Wouldn't be a Broadcaster. They only came in the butterscotch finish, with maple fretboards, and the 5-screw pickguard. Those are crazy rare and were only made for a very short time - about 30 days or so around December 1950 into January 1951. I think I read that there was only 1 production run of Broadcaster guitars. Mike has one of course, and I think Ron Blair has one? One of the ones that were stolen from their clubhouse a while back, but then retrieved. Coincidentally, I was reading on the Rickresource website (they have a Tom Petty section), and there was a discussion about the guitar we're talking about. The forum moderator there suggested that it was a 60's Esquire. It does kind of look like a blonde finish that has really yellowed up over the years.

Tom used to have a custom made Tele style guitar made by Toru Nittono that was referred to as the "Torucaster". I believe it was the blonde Tele style guitar with the Wildflowers sticker on the upper bout, and was donated to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I think around the time of "Echo"? Somebody check me on that, I'm not certain.

Are we looking at the same picture? There's no neck pickup in the guitar Tom is holding on the book cover. I wasn't suggesting that it was necessarily a vintage Esquire though. Fender was still making Esquires well into the 70's and off and on since then. I own one that was made in the mid-80s. The white finish was standard by the mid-50's, and the 8 screw pickguard came in about 1959 - still pretty vintage. But I wouldn't have a guess as to what year Tom's was made. Could be anywhere from 1959 to the present day.

It's actually not a Tele, it's an Esquire (no neck pickup). And as far as I remember, he only brings it out for "You Wreck Me", because it's in alternate tuning.

My wife and I saw Bob Seger last night, with Joe Walsh opening, and the smell of refer was floating by quite a bit more frequently than every blue moon or so. :-) One unrelated observation - the same people that were getting way too drunk before a concert when they were in their 20's, are still getting way too drunk before a concert now that they're in their 50's.

Nice cover shot! For 10 points, what song is he playing? Clue: It's not "Breakdown". The last few tours, that guitar only comes out for 1 song, and I'm betting its in the top 100 songs somewhere.

Not hard at all. Refugee.

Drive through latte stand? Seems like every one you see has a line of cars that can't wait to give you their $4.

:003: OK - full disclosure. I quit cigarettes about 5 years ago, but every blue moon or so, I'll have just a toke or 2. And hey, it's legal here in Washington now.

Could you be more specific? :-)

Gotta be "Handle With Care", with honorable mention for "Tweeter" since my band played that one for years. But yeah, they're all great songs. I really like "Congratulations" too.

We've had a few sunny days in a row here in Seattle. Most unusual for March, but I'm not complaining!

Well Tom explained that he wrote it in character and that it was the meanest, nastiest song he'd ever written - obviously about the greed of big corporations. The words are rather harsh, but it rocks hard too. I like playing along with it on guitar.....really loud.

I beat myself up about it until I finally take care of it. That hasn't worked so far with losing weight.

Cool story about "Poor House". Thanks for sharing.

Wow, I didn't realize Stan was so busy with other artists. I miss his drumming and personality too. I learned something new from that list, Nurk. Stan played the "waterphone" on the "Damn The Torpedoes" album. I saw a waterphone on "Storage Wars" once. Interesting instrument. Today's trivia question: Which song on DTT features Stanley playing the waterphone?

It's a terrible movie. I mean, I heard it's a terrible movie.

Oops....duplicate

Actually it could be several of those but I picked "Country" because I figured nobody else would. I only listen to "old" country though. Nothing newer than about 1968. Hank senior is the real deal.

Love this song. What a shame Buddy never actually had the opportunity to perform it.

Hard to top the Wilburys, but Blind Faith was pretty good.

Yes, every year our family marches in the St. Paddy's Day parade in Seattle. I mentioned in the other thread - this year we're at the head of the parade.

Acoustic guitars tonight with friends, and tomorrow we're marching in The St. Patricks Day parade in downtown Seattle. My wife's parents are this year's honorary Grand Marshalls. We'll be at the front this year!

Alabama Shakes