81-Year-Old Nashville Guitar Player Goes Viral

A lifelong Middle Tennessee musician has become an internet sensation thanks to a viral video.

[@ryanforresterrenaissancesa4204]

NOBODY could shut up for even ONE minute so we could hear it?

[@PMurray2694]

OMG if only there was a separate video of him playing 😭😭😭

[@kentherapy7022]

Journalists are blinded by their own importance. Not even for a moment did they stop talking into masterful playing. They didn't really care about the music at all. This shows that they are only interested in watching themselves. Or someone else. It is journalistic disrespect for art. Disrespect to the elderly. Disrespect to the viewer.

[@rotunda_]

Didn't even link the original video in the description. Self-centered douches

[@pauljordan4452]

​@@kentherapy7022There is a separate YT video of Mr Wood playing.

[@kentherapy7022]

@@pauljordan4452 Thanks

[@geemann8021]

Thanks for NOT LETTING us HEAR him Play.

[@richardscally694]

100%

[@danwillis2671]

News reporters just love to hear themselves talk.

[@stephanbuth8195]

yup! And there seems to be just one "news reporter elementary school", because they sound all the same...

[@cmet8280]

I think that's their job.

[@steveslate3601]

Had the pleasure of knowing and playing with Bob for around 15 yrs. He passed at 88 October of 2022. I miss him everyday. I miss playing and all the long phone calls. He was a very interesting man. It was a joy to know Bob!! He never acted his age and was a blast to play the music he wrote and loved!! Bob Wood was a very special man!! A tresure to those who knew and loved him!!

[@tattoodude8946]

I'm glad he got a taste of the fame he so deserved. My grandfather played mandolin in a band his entire life and basically looked like Bob, though a tall skinny version. Those old timers would blow you away with their finger work and the whole time just stand stark still, staring down like it's just another day at the office!

[@Apex-1962]

He does sound like an amazing man. Sorry for the loss of your friend.

[@steveslate3601]

@@Apex-1962 Thank you!! BTW, He has a KZbin page.

[@george_2172]

That’s very nice! God bless him and may he be remembered for his music and personality 🙏

[@bobs5596]

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you, if you're young at heart...

[@user-rk4zm3nb5f]

He could join the Stones as the youngest member.

[@ronboerste1813]

Hahaha and probably the only sober one also 😆

[@eatsmylifeYT]

No.

[@echols441]

Nice.

[@prithuadhikary720]

Actually its good that they talked so that we all can search the video out ourselves and probably improve the numbers even more. For which he probably would receive credit.

[@eatsmylifeYT]

@@prithuadhikary720 No, he won't.

[@Buoyant_Thoughts]

You know what would have been great? Being able to hear him play.

[@hiker64]

I was thinking the same thing

[@Bosscheesemo]

I know right?

[@willymueller3278]

Right ! 😂

[@prod24583]

and talk

[@ladyhawk2727]

There IS audio are you deaf ?

[@jaykayzed5213]

Shame they decided to talk over the entire piece. Love to actually hear it!

[@cpg8000]

Exactly. Stupid windbags

[@bullfrogpondshop3179]

Nah, I clicked on the video to hear the schmuck newscasters talk. Freaking idiots

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

100%. Bloody journalists, it’s all about them.

[@Adam-yx4hi]

Correct!!!!!!!!

[@godofrainbows]

Yes! Jesus That is aggravating.

[@pamelarhodes7898]

We lost my wonderful Uncle Bob last year but he was still playing in the hospital. Yesterday was his birthday , miss you lots .

[@noself1028]

As a 62-year-old beginner, I am inspired by this. Thanks for sharing!

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

Good for you. That’s rather fearless of you but I know you’ll have a great time. I’m 62 and a retired guitar player so I’ll pass along the mantle to you. Have some fun. That’s what matters about music anyway.

[@dougfredricks2017]

🎶🔊⚡

[@Harp_and_Guitar_Moving_Forward]

Ok

[@zalle1]

I play bass in a band. My drummer is 66, he started when he was 62... He has 2 bands now 😂

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

@@zalle1 My kind of man. Takes courage to do that.

[@stewartwakefield1236]

Could you shut that woman up so we can listen

[@jennifer9047]

So great that the lady wouldn't shut up for three dang seconds to let us actually HEAR WHAT THE WHOLE NEWS STORY WAS ABOUT.

[@rossmilligan5873]

Sure & then all you did was blab, drowning out what he played, priceless. You didn't even give the courtesy of the link on the segments completion. Priceless.

[@MrJacks1959]

What makes this even more special is that he's a real sweetheart of a guy...

[@steveslate3601]

Absolutely!! Bob was as authentic as it gets!! He was a jewel!! One of a kind!!

[@gregdolecki8530]

Bob Wood, age 88 (Robert Orville Wood Sr.) September 5, 1934 - October 29, 2022

[@aixpert291]

Thanks for talking over his playing the whole time.

[@LL-bl8hd]

I've seen 80-year-olds who can play, but to play that fast and smooth is something else! It proves that joint and nerve problems are not inevitable as we age. We can keep doing what we love!

[@KaiserBlade]

Keith Richards just came off a world tour.

[@curtzeek8818]

Trower, Page, Clapton, Gilmour are all 77-79 years old. Will we see postings of them when they're 81? I think so.

[@TitanicConcerts]

Being able to play with that much speed and accuracy is like having great athletic ability. There are 20 year olds who could practice 8 hours a day and never play that fast. So I guess you could say he’s got great genes for guitar playing. With a killer ear to boot. I’m just jealous cause I never had either.

[@user-vf5bv6vo4b]

@@TitanicConcertsYes, a lot of the ability to play fast is genetic. I started playing when I was a young child and people always told me that I had fast fingers, esp on piano. I remember once when I was much younger and before I had developed my repertoire of tunes this lady told me that I could play much faster than alot of people who’ve been playing for years. I also think it’s one of those things where you either have the capacity for fast play or you don’t. Because I’ve seen plenty of fine musicians who can play but could never play very fast. And of course fast playin on its own, doesn’t mean anything to musicality of it LACKS soul, feel, time and rhythm.

[@BarrackObamna]

@@user-vf5bv6vo4bno it’s not strictly genetic. You can build your finger dexterity but just like anything you start with a natural baseline and some people have more composition of fast twitch muscle fibers genetically. But that doesn’t mean anyone can play up to 220 bpm if they’re able bodied and put their mind to it

[@beatekreuzer5025]

My 83-year-old father still stays at my little farm for 3 to 4 weeks every summer, helping with repairs and building new things. He really enjoys it, not only because it is something else than sitting at home at the computer screen, but also because he can once again use and show off all the skills he aquired in his first work as a ship builder over half a century ago. We started this tradition 23 years ago when I just bought the farm and we repaired the old barn, just the two of us, putting up 15 foot poles with the help of only some rope and two car jacks. Also a great way to spend time together and listen to the stories from his youth. Hope he'll be around for many more years. Listen to old people. They have the knowledge and the wisdom that so many lack in today's world.

[@johnlandis2343]

Another deceptive title! I thought I was gonna hear him play! I did'nt like or subscribe

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Well it would have been nice to, you know, hear him play instead of all the commentary.

[@edgardtorres6162]

Keep on rocking sir 🎸🎸🎸 age is just a number 👍

[@scantech58]

Would of been nice if everyone would be quite and let us actually hear the guy play 😅

[@godofrainbows]

The news does this all the time. Recently, on my local news station, they had a story about a kid who played the violin real well. But no one would ever know it because they talked over the clips of him playing the entire time. There wasn’t a single second of audio that didn’t have them speaking over him playing. The producers are very very very very stupid people.

[@ubergeek1968]

I had the pleasure of meeting this wonderful man when lived in Nashville as a pre-teen/teen. He would often play at the the Blue Plate Special on Music Row (long since gone). He was the nicest person I ever met.

[@mwe1337]

God love him..my dad is 91 years of age and still plays bass and drums and banjo..all best from Australia 👍

[@derekstocker6661]

What great playing by Bob, so very well done Sir and saddened to hear of your passing. RIP Sir, we are still listening and loving it.

[@BernieHollandMusic]

What a lovely - lovely - lovely man ! Bless him xxx

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hello 😊

[@xbman1]

That lady talk too much and doesn’t know when to shut up😂😂😂

[@mattnobrega6621]

A timeless classic. They dont make em' like that anymore.

[@mikekelly9851]

Yeah they do.

[@mattnobrega6621]

@@mikekelly9851 I was talking bout the old man. It was a figure of speech anyway 🤦‍♂️

[@philgray1023]

​@@mattnobrega6621True, they stopped making that model back in 1935! I raced against a fellow made in 1927 last week. First time we've beaten him in a while. Apparently they'll get that yacht wheel out of his cold dead hands and he shows no signs of going anytime soon.

[@martyfoster7053]

Isn't it WONDERFUL, that the reporter rapped her trap, the entire time, over the music? THANKS!

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hi Mr. Marty😊

[@Lpmgato1]

Wow, Awesome gentleman! Blessings and happiness, Sir!!

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hello 😊

[@clarkfelgner6196]

Well deserved for this inspirational man and talent!

[@faizanmckagan2827]

Such a great clean tone. Rest in peace sir!

[@djizzah]

Couldn't tell I couldn't hear a thing

[@francoisbouvier7861]

You go Bob. Amazing talent that should get every bit of recognition possible.

[@furyiiiplate]

Been greater if actual guitar work was shown, but newsreaders can never STF up.

[@yogsenforfoth5948]

Rest in Peace, sir. He seems like he was a great person.

[@sergeybogdanovich7019]

Super guitarist 🙏🍀🎼❤️🎶👌🎵🎸✌️

[@patty4709]

Music is music regardless of one’s age. He’s a very talented artist. Hope he keeps playing right thru heavens door.

[@michaelt.wardlespider2496]

To me it is ridiculous that people are stunned to see an older person with talent... If I'm not still playing music at 81, or however old I someday become, I would rather be dead.

[@boataxe4605]

Considering how many of us old guitarists develop arthritis,it’s not ridiculous to be stunned when one doesn’t.

[@michaelt.wardlespider2496]

@@boataxe4605 I'm 56, suffered a severed tendon in my fretting hand at 24, have arthritis, and play everyday. Surrendering to the pain only makes things worse. As the old adage states, use it or lose it.

[@NoWayOut55]

You nail it Mike. I've played shows where my fretting hand seizes up and I have to slap the damned thing against my leg to get it to loosen up. And surprise, surprise, I just bought a back up for my Acoustic!! To top it off, I'm facing shoulder surgery in September...my 6th(?)procedure!

[@boataxe4605]

@@michaelt.wardlespider2496 I still play despite arthritis,but no where near as well as when I was younger. I’m not surprised that the old guy is still playing, but I am surprised that his fingers are still as fluid as a 20 year old’s.

[@arconeagain]

yeah it's ridiculous all right. Where's people's common sense? It's a redundant report, really. What's next, old man dies of old age?

[@stevencurtis-uf2es]

BOB THANKU FOR SHARING REAL MUSIC WITH US!!! TEACH THEM ANGELS HOW IT'S DONE! R.I.P.

[@johnhartley3022]

Might have been good if the talking head would have shut up long enough to let us hear it

[@Docksidestudio1]

I know, let’s do a piece on a guitarist but talk all over it so you can’t hear and appreciate him actually playing

[@scopex2749]

SUPERB! Well played sir!

[@donnale3881]

Music touches the soul, and keeps you young, no matter how old you are ❤❤

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hello

[@timothyj.bowlby5524]

It's NOT the equipment... it's what Mr. Wood has IN HIS HEAD that counts.

[@marktwaine9344]

exactly....

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hi Mr. Tim 😊

[@boogiemorgan]

It's amazing, how some folks live a full life vertically unnoticed, and then just by coincidence, the whole world opens up for them! I say it is a blessing from heaven. You are great Sir, and I admire your work, God Bless you and your family forever! 🎸🤠☺️💤👍👏🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🙏♾️

[@lindawilson5734]

Thanks for talking over it!

[@masterkaruna4013]

Missed the part that he passed into the spirit, well he can now entertain all the beautiful souls who share the sppace with him! 😊❤🙏

[@sKraat528]

Reporters need to shut up and let us hear him PLAY 😂

[@JFRCadets]

Way to go Bob, nobody can play like a Tennessee boy. Sounds like some Joe Pass licks, awesome Bob.

[@njgl2010]

I hope whoever knew this man soaked up every ounce of his generational knowledge. When that particular generation dies out, Life as we know it will change forever. To any person his age reading this, please know that you are loved and appreciated, and you will definitely be missed one day!

[@We-all-watched-the-video]

😢

[@Jodyrides]

I fast forwarded through the video to hear him play. I heard about 99% some woman’s voice, and about onepercent guitar playing. The only thing missing, was that woman standing in front of the camera, talking into a microphone blocking our view of bob completely.. The day after I saw the Beatles live on Ed Sullivan back in the early 60s when I was in grade school. I woke up the next morning and there was a guitar on the kitchen table. Here 60 years later, I am still trying to learn how to play the guitar… I have been in bands, one band was a three-piece band, and I met the bass player for the very first time at our first gig at some bar/restaurant.. I’ve been in rock bands, I tried a country western band, that was not my favorite music, but a coworker friend of mine asked me just to stand in because his guitar player quit. That was the only band I was ever in that I didn’t need furniture movers to move my equipment to and from the site… and we could’ve worked five nights a week if we didn’t have day jobs. The bar owners prefer the country western crowd to the rock band kids. Because the kids will nurse a draft beer and they start trouble. The country western gang drinks, Jack, Daniels, and they are no trouble… but here almost 60 years later, the better I get, the more I realize I don’t know how to play it all. When I go into a music store to check out the new Guitars. I would never humiliate myself by plugging in a guitar and trying it out in the store on a Saturday when it’s full of kids in their late teens and early 20s. those kids learned from watching videos on KZbin from guitar gods that teach how to play. Guys like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai,/, Michael, Angelo, YINGWIE. I could get by doing the stones or Led Zeppelin, kiss, Ted Nugent call my guys like that if I did, they’re simple stuff. But these guitar gods today., They make me realize that I have no idea what I’m doing

[@flynnstone3580]

They have Trap Adapters in the plumbing department for cases like this.

[@user-vf5bv6vo4b]

Stop it! I’m sure you play just fine.. stop being so hard on yourself brother!

[@koreanname]

The Riviera is a fitting guitar for such a great guitarist

[@easternyellowjacket276]

I hope he is making some money off of this popularity. He deserves that respect.

[@caseykelso1]

That was 7 yrs ago.😮

[@justiceforall6412]

I remember seeing this when it first came out. As one player to another, this ole boy can really play!

[@tedunguent156]

Now there's a great feel good story. I'm happy that people can still appreciate great music no matter who is playing.

[@Geeksmithing]

Thanks for talking over the music

[@laidsgpr63]

Good on you Bob ! There should be more guys like yourself in this crazy world !! Keep going mate !!! God bless you !

[@dogofwar2524]

Thank you, brother..when I can afford one that's what I'll do push it outside.. this is my 3rd week at woodworking and I only sold 1 Thang pray for us that it will pick up because i love doing this and thank you for all that you share that you come up with .. i got some really good ideas about some brid houses but can't figure out yet how to build them if but when i do if you like them i would send a video to you maybe you could help me get them out there.. if you're not too busy anywhy thank you again from a old mountain boy from Tennessee brother good bless

[@kennyblackbird5674]

Mr. Bob has a technique even Hendrix would've worshipped! Bob is a fast picker!! His choice of guitar is great, a vintage Epiphone Riviera that needs no Varitone because of the brite mini humbuckers you can just use the one tone control for a wide tonal sweep.😊😊

[@eatsmylifeYT]

No, he doesn't. You don't know what you're talking about.

[@NoWayOut55]

Some people just have to screw up a great story. The other commenter here hasn't a goddamned clue.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

@@NoWayOut55 😅😅😅😅😅😅

[@eatsmylifeYT]

@@kennyblackbird5674 Crashbox didn't know it, but he was actually referring to you.

[@kennyblackbird5674]

@@eatsmylifeYT yeah, you guys are crap!

[@Boomsterblak]

Awesome..my new goal ...be playing at 81..lol..not that far away.....this is priceless..cool playing thanks for this..RIP Mr.Wood

[@Gentile108]

When you can play.. you play until you don’t have vital signs. That’s the great thing about music. Even after you leave this life… your music still lives on. Thank you Eddie.. thank you Les Paul.. thank you SRV!! Thank you so much Danny Gatton

[@audioa41]

He said “as long as you spell my name right” and they didn’t even say his name or put it in the description and talked over his whole performance

[@user-ux9zg5oz7f]

Wow !!!! What a guy !! Love & Respect from Scotland. Bob. You are the man. !!!! 👍🫶❤️🇺🇲🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@DanO530.8]

This man is so cool I wish I could be like him at his age what a great man GOD bless him

[@landrodomingo981]

Great musician. Keep playing your guitar Bob. You're an inspiration to others.

[@low_re8094]

Cool, thanks for talking through his entire performance. I'll find the actual video elsewhere.

[@Lappillainen]

This gentleman has been a guitarist for decades, of course he is a maestro.

[@davidmonteforte485]

What humble and genuine man! God Bless you sir!!

[@rickeguitar9086]

Well, Bob on this very day, is still inspiring us older players that age is never an excuse for losing good chops! I am sure Bob must have been a wonderful mentor to those he came in contact with.

[@Mike-vr4lw]

You go, Bob!. Keep on playing! sounds great 👍

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Amazing player!

[@EricMySelf990]

At the music store I worked anyone could try out anything for as long as they wanted. We didn't breath down their necks, etc. while they used guitars and amps but the result was a cacaphony. We had this one old guy, though, named Spider who came in regularly and sat down and played for an hour or even more and this guy was a virtuoso so suddenly it was a concert and everyone else stopped playing to give this guy the room. We'd make requests. He could play anything. Amazing I'll never forget him. Too bad posting videos to the internet easily from a phone wasn't a thing back then. He would have been a sensation, as well.

[@bythesea4ever2010]

Way to go Bob keep playing the guitar it will keep you strong and happy and we all love you

[@user-vf5bv6vo4b]

He died

[@nankerphelge3771]

Nashville Cats play clean as country water!

[@cryo9216]

Age is NOT just a number. If it was, some of us would live forever.

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hello 😊

[@snakedoktor6020]

And you never stopped running your yap the entire time he was playing...thanks!

[@jcsolomon6470]

❤That!Just,Precious!Jcs

[@justanaussie37]

Well done Bob. Love your layed back approach to all the hype. As I type this I realise your now strumming your sweet guitar in a better place. Thanks .🙂

[@WBlues-Blues-Musik]

It's just nice to experience something like that. Thanks for sharing guys.

[@etiennemarais7096]

Never Give Up. And Never Say Never Always A 1st Time. Good Luck and Blessings

[@angelawoodham3535]

We love you Bob here in Kentucky may God Continue To Bless You! ♡

[@jcc2c22]

I can tell you for certain that this gentleman has never made the mistake of quitting for an extended period of time and then starting up again. I did this and at the age (then) of 67, I had completely lost the mind/muscle connection that's necessary to play. I knew what I wanted to do but my hand wasn't listening.

[@JoeKoOhNo]

"Nashville cats been playing since they babies..." John B. Sebastian.

[@jcc2c22]

@@JoeKoOhNo I saw John Sébastien in concert at the Merriweather Post Pavillion in 1969 along with my younger brother. I can't recall a thing about the concert except that he was complaining about a cold that was keeping him from performing as well as he could. I thought he sounded fine.

[@Wichitan]

There are players who have quit for extended periods. Peter Green was one.

[@jcc2c22]

@@Wichitan I'm sure there are plenty. I'm sure that in my case, a layoff of over 30 years was most of the problem. Only myself to blame.

[@mr.d.572]

I quit for 14 years and did not think I would ever pick it up again. To my great surprise I started playing again about 2 years ago - different type of guitar, a different type of music that's better suited for me, and I'm playing better than ever now.

[@heatherallingham7120]

He's amazing! Plays that good like it's the most natural thing in the world ~

[@jamesfideli3500]

Bob I am a musician as well and it's such a joy to watch you perform thank you for sharing peace ☮️ and love 💞 my friend 😎🎵🎶😎

[@gilbertberlanga338]

Awesome keep on rocking my friend 🎸

[@dpmedhurst]

Wonderful… Keep on rocking mate

[@johnpentney816]

Just reinforces the thought, when you've got it you never lose it. You were a legend Bob.

[@communityradiowales9639]

Brilliant! Your KZbin channel is the best go to instructional / informative golf sense series ever!

[@clydecushion1960]

Truly Awesome thanks for sharing

[@bryansmith7479]

I’m glad they talked over his whole performance 🙄

[@lawrencetirrell8414]

Bless him. 😍😊😉👍Keep playing Bob. 😍😊😉👍❤️💜🙏🎸

[@HelenamariaRusso]

Hello 😊

[@drmarkp1]

.. Paul McCartney is older than he is and still looks great and plays vibrantly

[@Chris.Pontius]

Yea but Paul got access to that really high grade baby-blood every morning. It really shows.

[@brownpunk1794]

As a 93 yo beginer..its inspiring❤❤

[@uncled39]

Young guitar player doesn't forget how to play when he gets older. Wow, such a shock.

[@OLLiGoldeaux]

....i am 57 and feel like 56 when i'm playin'.... it keeps young !🎉

[@jimhudson556]

Bob did a Randall Workshop me in 1980, he was an absolutely fantastic player, and a genuinely nice guy.

[@normlor]

AS LIFELONG MUSICIANS WHO LOVE WHAT WE DO. WE KNOW WE DON'T HAVE TO BE EDDY VANHALEN OR RAUL REKOW TO BE GREAT MUSICIANS. WE JUST HAVE TO BE TOTALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR INSTRUMENTS !!!

[@Sam-ep7sc]

Shhh…

[@HollyFayHolverson777]

@normlar, my goal is to simply just be myself. Besides, it's the only person I can be.

[@user-vf5bv6vo4b]

He was just as fluent as they were too!!

[@Gods-Word-for-everyone]

Awesome performance my dear, I like it ! God bless you !👍🏼🙏❤

[@peteathans3230]

Well God bless Bob and everybody who made this wonderful video what a great story !!😍😍😍

[@marvinmartin4692]

Love the fact he’s self taught!! And can really play!

[@Webbsongs]

I have read that playing an instrument into one’s old age keeps the brain from silting up? Dunno if it’s true, I’m 71 and been at it since 1963. Still got a LOT to learn!! Bless Bob and maybe jam with him soon!!

[@wayneashford5697]

Who says us old people can't ROCK🎶🎵🎼🎤?!!!

[@ronboerste1813]

That's awesome rock on Bob 🤘😎👍