1/ When I was about 14-15 I bought my first guitar at a yard sale, a $5 Stella with only three rusty strings and unbearable action. I played it until the skin on my fingertips started to peel like they were bananas. Then I kept on playing it.

2/ The first thing I did was write a song with my friend Jim. The song was called Orion and we played and sang it a thousand times while strolling around our little town, no matter the season. I learned chords on just those three high strings.

3/ When I finally got a proper guitar (a Seagull acoustic from Daddy's Junky Music Store in Salem, NH), I had to relearn all the chords. By this time, my finger tips were solidified and ready. I can still play Orion on those three high strings. Though, I've forgotten the lyrics.