Back in 1992, Dan took a skinny kid with a cheap acoustic guitar and asked him what HE wanted to learn. The kid was able to get six months of lessons with Dan before the kid and his family moved to Saudi Arabia. Dan was kind enough to map out lessons and ways to learn in the dark pre-Internet days for the kid.

Dan Voll on the cover of his “The Mole Years” CD

I was that kid - and I poured over the notes he left me and reviewed his lessons in my head for the next three years while I was a homeschooled teen in Saudi Arabia. I moved on to electric guitar but the foundation of my playing had been set. That young kid is still appreciative all these years later. I was set on a path that I continue on today.

One of Dan’s guitars as a memorial in Florida (Ferdinanda Beach/Amelia Island)

I touched base with Dan years later when I was working at Fender and was able to express my gratitude. He barely remembered my time with him but assured me he loved the Fender brand and was currently playing a Stratocaster. I'm thankful for that message and glad I sent him a postcard follow up. A couple of years later, Dan died on January 22, 2018 from a sudden stroke. He had moved from the Midwest to Florida and had been doing what he loved best - playing to enthusiastic crowds with grace, aplomb and a really awesome sense of humor. I'm still trying to catch up to Dan - he's still the archetype guitarist I aspire to be. He approached every gig with seriousness of execution but with a fun flair. Thank you, Dan.


thanks for reading,

ian