Rick Richards guest blog writer: Having a Guitar Built by Ted Newman Jones: Episode 1

Part One

     “I first met Ted at Red Rocks Amphitheater.  We, The Georgia Satellites, were opening for Dwight Yoakam and Hank Jr.  Dwight had replaced Pete Anderson with Eddie Shaver, Billy Joe Shaver’s son.  Whom I’d met the year before in Memphis.

     Standing backstage I noticed Eddy talking to his guitar tech.  I asked who it was and Eddy said “Oh man, that guy’s famous”!  He began to tell me that it was in fact, Ted Newman Jones!

     I knew of Ted’s involvement with Keith Richards and his prowess at guitar building.  So I wanted to meet the guy.  After he packed the guitars, he came over to me and said “Well, that’s over, let go grab a cold one”!  I said “twist my arm” and off we went to the dressing room.  After picking his brain and him regaling stories, he said “let’s meet in my hotel room for a ‘real drink’!

     Upon arriving I noticed two things on the table.  A fifth of Jack Daniels with 2 cups of ice and two acoustic Martins on either bed.  I knew they were Dwight’s, but I didn’t worry because Ted was large and in charge.

     After mentioning Keith again, Ted picks up a Martin and starts “Coming Down Again”, Keith’s song on “Goat Head Soup”.  We got to the line “stuck my tongue in someone elses pie” and we both fell out in mutual laughter.  We couldn’t finish it, so we broke out into some Chuck Berry, when suddenly I snapped a high E string.  Without missing a lick Ted says “Don’t worry, he’ll nvever know”, meaning Dwight of course!

     We kept rockin’ til’ daybreak.  After cordial goodbyes and after securing that Ted will indeed build me a guitar….I left knowing that I had truly met a kindred spirit and I would soon be the proud owner of that great guitar…