Nate Ramirez

This discovery had a profound effect in my life and my outlook of the world I live in. It led me to life altering decisions, I am still living with today. But it also led me into songwriting, performing and being an artists.

An artists I hope that is true to himself, his roots, his people and his Motherland. As you could tell from the few songs that I have posted here.

There are a lot more songs and poems that I have not even touch from the initial burst of inspiration years ago and many more after that. Hopefully, I will in the future be able to share them with like minded people.

The man in the photo is Wayne Henderson of Eric Clapton's Guitar fame, my guitar idol. Like him I'd like to someday make my own guitars, perform my own songs, be true to my culture, finish a career and live in my homeland. In my case the Philippines for him his native Appalachia.

Wayne is not only a world renowned Luthier with a waiting list of years (just ask Eric Clapton how long he waited for his) but he is also an award winning bluegrass artists. He does not only make guitars but plays them with aplomb and ease. All while working as a Postal Carrier for the US Postal Service.

Now that he has retired he can make more guitars and continue to perform all over the world. If you want a guitar from him you better put your name on the list now and steal, beg or borrow at least $10 grand. Hopefully you will get one before you have grandkids.

On the 4th of July 2007, I got to meet my idol. It was after one of his performance at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival representing the Roots of Virginia.

The whole scene was so surreal to me. I could not have dreamed or scripted it better. After his show, where he talked about his life, lutherie and his music. I waited to talk to him. There were three older gentlemen in front of me. One was asking for an authograph and the other two were just congratulating him on the show.

When I finally got a chance to talk to him. I introduced myself and told him how I admired his work. Then the next person butted in and I began to leave. Disappointed that I was not able to talk to him much longer. So I went around on the exhibits near the stage.

After a few minutes, I glanced back at the tent where the show was on. I saw that Wayne is about to leave and was talking to the gentleman that had the authograph. So I decided to go back and try to talk to him again.

So I waited for my turn. After the gentleman left, Wayne turned to me and asked for my name again. Told him my name and about my guitar "Tagbilaran" and shown him the photo on my cell phone. Which he said "He had not made a double neck before" and I replied "You could probably make one if you wanted too".

As we were walking towards the Main Stage where he was slated to perform with Wayne Henderson and Friends which includes his wife Helen playing the first ever Wayne Henderson Fiddle. He told me that he went to the Philippines to perform in 1982. Which I replied that all of the stuff that have been written about him there is no mention of him ever going to the Philippines. He has very fond memories of the time he spent there and very warm feelings toward the Filipino people. Which I felt was very similar to the people of his own Appalachia.

At that point, I have been talking to the great Wayne Henderson for more than 15 minutes with the midday summer sun bearing down on us in the middle of thousands of people attending the Folklife Festival on the biggest day of the year. So before I said goodbye, I asked him what do I need to do to bring "Tagbilaran" back. At that time I had just finished installing the new Elephant Ivory nut and saddle. He said that I need to lower the action as low as I can without any buzzing. Then I asked if I can come visit him in Rugby, VA which is about 300 miles away from DC. He said to call first before I come to make sure that he is home.

Above are the photos of the Ramirez Family of Luthiers of Madrid, Spain. They are from the top are Jose Ramirez I, Manuel Ramirez and Jose Ramirez II. In the middle is Jose Ramirez III. The bottom are Jose Ramirez IV and Amalia Ramirez. I am not related to them we just share the same last name.

But as a child my dad who was a fan of a Flamenco group that played "Ramirez" guitars. He regaled me with stories about the "Ramirez" guitar. I did not have any idea then, what they look like and sound like. All I know was that they are expensive.

That was until a few years ago, I finally played one at a guitar store. They sounded so good I could not put it down and had to come back again and again to play them. That day I promised myself I have to own one someday.

Above are two of their most famous guitars. On the left is the Jose Ramirez III classical guitar made famous by George Harrison of the Beatles. On the right is the Manuel Ramirez guitar made famous by Andres Segovia which is presently on display at the MET.