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Topic: Jonathan Chandler |
Randy Beavers
From:
Lebanon,TN 37090
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 3:25 am |
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It's real easy for me to pick my number one experience of the ISGC. JONATHAN CHANDLER!!!
Sunday after the church service I went to the Zumsteel room and Jonathan was playing on one of the demo guitars there. He had mentioned that he would like to play along side me sometime. Well, this was "my" chance. I asked what he would like to play and he said "Lean On It" from my CD. For the next hour we played most all the tunes from my CD and a few others to tracks. One of the songs he picked to play was "Somewhere", also from my CD. That song has special meaning to me because of the lyrics. "There's a place for us. Somewhere a place for us. Hold my hand and I'll take you there..." Jonathan didn't just play "at it." He really played it. I couldn't help myself, the tears started flowing. I looked out in the crowd and I wasn't alone. Everyone I saw was doing the same.
I can't express how special it is to me, that Jonathan has taken the time and energy to work on my material like he has. I never thought anything that I played could be as important to someone as this is to him. Trust me, what I received from Jonathan was more than I can ever give back.
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Randy
http://hometown.aol.com/pulltightb/home.html
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Jerry Hayes
From:
Virginia Beach, Va.
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 4:06 am
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Randy, I'm sorry that I missed that set but I did get to hear Jonathan in the GFI and the Fulawkwa rooms. In the Fulawkwa room he played "Girl from Ipanema" on the E9th neck and Stormy Monday with some great blues licks. I wish I'd got to hear him on his own guitar. He's a nice young man also. By the way, his last name is Candler I believe. I really enjoyed your set in the Peavey room, some of the best playing I've heard in a long time...Have a good 'un, JH
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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.
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Ben Rubright
From:
Punta Gorda, Florida, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 6:41 am
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| Randy, thank you for sharing that with all of us. I am sorry I missed that. So much to hear and see at the convention, so little time. |
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Ron Page
From:
Penn Yan, NY USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 7:27 am
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I caught Jonathan playing on Saturday with Lynn Owsley and Billy Robinson, I think it was in The Derby Room. At the time I took a picture of that scene, I was amazed simply by the young age of this seemingly gifted player. I hadn't yet come to realize the other physical obstacles that he faces.
Then later, on Saturday night, when Johnny Cox brought Jonathan up on to the big stage and had him play the new Millennium that he and David Wright had built for him, all I could think of was the old cliché as to how the Lord works in mysterious ways. It wasn't a personal moment, like you describe, Randy, but nevertheless I could feel the joy being shared by so many of us in that hall.
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HagFan
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Jack Klein
From:
Alpena, MI, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 7:41 am
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could someone tell me about Jonathan?
i'm not aware of him and he sounds special from the comments. thanks Jack |
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Bill Ferguson
From:
Milton, FL USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 10:21 am
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Randy, I was in the Zum room with you and with a teary eye, but yet that was a tear of joy to see the acomplishments of this young man.
And you were a TRUE gentleman to share your knowledge and CD's with Johnathan.
Just shows that NO physical impairment should keep you from your dreams.
Bill Ferguson
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Stop worrying about what makes a steel work and concentrate on how YOU make it sound"
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Roger Edgington
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 4:06 pm
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I was also lucky enough to walk into the Zum room and see Randy and Jonathan playing. I was amazed at Jonathans musical talent and the difficult song choices he made.
Randy not only is a super player, but a first class person as well showing respect and professionallism for this young man. What I saw there was heart warming and worth the trip alone. |
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Ronald Moore
From:
Mindoro, Wisconsin, USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 4:18 pm
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| Randy, I was there in the Zumsteel room and watched Johnathon and you. It was a real treat to see a young boy playing steel guitar. That alone is rewarding, but the fact that he is blind makes it incredible. It was truly a highlight of the convention for me. Ron |
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Billy Easton
From:
Nashville, TN USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 6:40 pm
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Randy....
You know of my involvement with Jonathan, but I want to publicly thank you for sharing not only your music, but you time and your soul with our special friend. It was a touching moment with you and Tommy that was so special. Jonathan is truly a gift from God to all of us. Thanks to you and Tommy Dodd for all the attention and sharing you have given my little friend. God Bless You.
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Billy Easton
Casa Grande, AZ
Southwestern Steel Guitar Association
[This message was edited by Billy Easton on 07 September 2004 at 07:40 PM.] |
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Jim Marconi
From:
Richmond IL. / Summerland Key Fl. USA
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 8:50 pm
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Hi Randy, It really was a pleasure meeting you..I was also in the Zum room when you and Jonathon were playing and he also put tears in my eyes. This little Boy is sure touched by the Lord.. Randy I also want to tell you how much class you showed playing with this little Boy and I really want to tip my hat to you. What a bright future Jonathon has playing Steel guitar...I can't wait to see him playing his way to becoming a legend Steel player. and don't forget my offer..Lets go fishing.
Kind Regards
Jim www.Ambushcharters.com [This message was edited by Jim Marconi on 07 September 2004 at 10:15 PM.] |
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Peter
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Posted 7 Sep 2004 10:11 pm
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Great story and pictures!
One question:
Why are Johnny's and Jonathans endplates different? It looks like there are tuning nuts on Johnny's endplate, but it could be the reflection of the tuning nuts of Jonathan's MSA?
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Peter den Hartogh
1978 Emmons S10 P/P; 1977 Sho-Bud D10 ProIII Custom;
1975 Fender Artist S10; Remington U12; 1947 Gibson BR4;
Internationally Accredited 3D Animation Academy
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David Wright
From:
Pilot Point ,Tx USA.
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Posted 8 Sep 2004 4:36 am
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| I took these pictures, it is a reflection, good eyes Peter |
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Bob Taillefer
From:
Canada
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Posted 8 Sep 2004 5:57 pm
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| Jonathan is an amazing talent. When I was 12 years old, I could barely pick a 5 string banjo. He can play jazz! Incredible! Bob |
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Sam Marshall
From:
Chandler, AZ USA
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Posted 9 Sep 2004 11:43 am
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I saw Jonathan with Randy last Sunday. I had previously seen him last spring at a SWSGA jam. I was floored by his talent both times. His ability on the steel seems to grow in exponential proportions. What a gift!
Best Regards,
Sam |
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Skip T
From:
Lubbock , Tx. U S A
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Posted 12 Sep 2004 12:59 pm
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I too was so "touched" watching Jonathan play. After the Sun afternoon set with Johnny Cox I literally had tears in my eyes that expressed JOY in what "God has done" in this young man. For those of you that missed his playing and wonder how he can be playing so good at this age?? He told me he had been playing for (GET THIS) ONE (1)year !!!  Thanks to all of you that have given your time and talents - - - Skip |
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Donna Dodd
From:
Acworth, Georgia, USA
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Louie Hallford
From:
denison tx
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Posted 12 Sep 2004 7:38 pm
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Jack, since I did not see a reply to your question I will reply. Possibly from the pictures you have already concluded thet Jonathan is blind and also has a trac in his throat for helping him breath.
Since this information is pretty common knowledge to those who have known him for even a short and was openly shared with me and others, I will also share that Johnathan was prematurely born weighing less than two pounds and is considered a miracle to be alive.
Part of the miracle to me is that I first met him in January of this year when his dad brought him to the Southwest steel show in Mesa Arizona. His dad was there trying to find a steel guitar for him. At St Louis less than ten months later this child is playing a good version of Lady from Imanema and other songs of that and greater difficulty.
Then he is playing cuts off of Beavers CD which even harder.
Randy I would have cried too and did when he was in the Derby room Jamming with the likes of Owsley,Robinson,and Elliot. This time he he is taking his rides with the singers.
All this is happening on strange guitar, a stock, full sized guitar and he was having to reach up 6 inches off the floor to operate the knee levers.
Why shouldn't I be amazed I am 65 years old and can't play some of the stuff he plays and not because I haven't tried. Wait two more years.(not for me, for him)
He picked up a 1000 plus new fans in St Louis. Thanks also to Johhny Cox for sharing stage time with him.
How better could MSA have shared their genorosity than tho have put a new steel guitar in this young players hands.
The whole experience with Johnathan is a great breath of fresh air compared to what is going on so many places in the world around us.[This message was edited by louie hallford on 12 September 2004 at 08:40 PM.] [This message was edited by louie hallford on 12 September 2004 at 08:41 PM.] |
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bob drawbaugh
From:
scottsboro, al. usa
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Posted 13 Sep 2004 5:41 pm
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WOW, what an inspirational story. I wish I could have been there.
The reason Jonathan is doing so well he started on a 12 string. He didn't get confused by that D10 thing.  |
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Daryl Stogner
From:
San Diego, CA * R.I.P.
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Posted 13 Sep 2004 6:29 pm
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Actually Jonathan started using an old Maverick E9th. Dad (Randy) had it cleaned up for him and David presented him with his new MSA this summer at Jonathan's home.
What an amazing kid!
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Randy Candler
From:
Yuma, Arizona, USA
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Posted 13 Sep 2004 8:32 pm
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Here's a little bit of the beginning of Jonathan's life. He was born at 24 weeks weighing 1 lb. 10 oz. spending his first 4 months in the Nursery ICU. At the age of 2 he got a trach for subglottic stenosis. (narrowing of the esophegus). We knew there was a possibility of blindness and at 9 months we knew there were problems. By age 5 both retnias had totally detached. The first 5 years of his life were in and out of hospitles with pnemonia and trach surgeries and he had a feeding tube. He had alot of big advances at the age of 5 also. He started to talk, and eat food. He would play guitar laying flat down on the ground, played piano by copying his sister, and later with lessons, and learning to play drums. He got introduced to the steel guitar by Hap Young, who goes to our church. Jonathan was really amazed at the steel. Through Hap, Jonathan was able to get his first steel in Sept of 2003. Geore Wixon donated the Maverick Sho-Bud. He went and shipped it to Wayne Brown in Canada to be overhauled, and it looks nice. He and George also included a junior seat for Jonathan. What a blessing. This summer David Wright has gotten Jonathan a 12 strings MSA. Jonathan loves playing his steel. He looks foward to the conventions and seeing his steel "Dudes", Billy and David. And Since being in St. Louis he has made lots of very special friends.
Jonathan's Mom, Vicki |
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bob drawbaugh
From:
scottsboro, al. usa
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Posted 14 Sep 2004 4:57 am
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| Vicki, you and Randy are and inspiration to me. I have been in a down period in my life with the loss of my Dad and my youngest daughter and Granddaughter moving 5000 miles away. I hope to see Jonathan play in the near future. You and your family will be in Brenda and my prayers daily. Tell Jonathan to keep up the good work. |
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Ray Jenkins
From:
Gold Canyon Az. U.S.A.
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