My first guitar was a Roy Rogers special like the one pictured above left. I got it for Christmas when I was 8 years old in 1956. I found this one in a shop called Subway Guitars in Berkeley, CA. Regrettably, the owner wouldn't sell it to me.

At right, you can see me in 1959 at age 11 with my Stella acoustic. My dad called one day from work in downtown Kansas City. He said Jenkins Music was having a fire sale and had this guitar for $5 -- did I want it? Of course, you know the answer. Thanks to my dad for getting that ball rolling.

Click the images for a closer look.