One Thing I Learned from Al Di Meola

[@andrewvenezie995]

Recently enjoyed Al and his buddies here in Pittsburgh. I first met Al in NYC when working at WRVR 1977-1981. Super nice and caring. Al understands what it is to be a fan! Hersch Thank you for an amazing story.

[@crystalgaynor4729]

“It is HARD WORK, FOCUS & RESILIENCE, that makes us better musicians”! It’s reassuring to know that whatever level we’re at on our guitar journey, that this 3 Step Rule still applies. Great story, thank you for sharing! Al Di Meola, one of Jersey’s finest!!! 🎶🌸

[@MichaelWatts]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching Crystal!

[@dalgguitars]

I totally want to see and hear that ancient Martin!!!! Your friend was very generous to let you take it out into the world.

[@MichaelWatts]

Ah I wish I’d managed to capture some footage…

[@philipwilkes2780]

As always, a very interesting watch. Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it thank you!

[@IvayloNikolov]

I would probably have felt the same way if I had been present in the studio during the "Vetiver" recording. And this brings me to the most important question of 2024 - when are we going to enjoy your new album (and all tablatures) 🙂😂😅

[@MichaelWatts]

Ha ha I’m doing my best!

[@Geotubest]

I LOVE Al. I've been following him on FB for years. He and I have exchanged a few messages. His health scare some months ago scared the daylights out of me. We need him. Great video Michael as always!

[@MichaelWatts]

Absolutely! I am so glad Al is back fighting fit. Just an incredible dude.

[@hkguitar1984]

Thank You so very much for sharing this amazing story. Awesome

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for watching!

[@douglasnelson3569]

A humble, but incredibly talented man, sharing a yarn about an incredibly talented but humble man... It's content like this that keeps me coming back - thank you Micheal! A great weekend to all folks! :)

[@MichaelWatts]

I appreciate that, thank you very much

[@stickman55100]

What a fabulous and cool story. An incredible experience for you that you’ve now shared and inspired an entire community. I’m totally grateful for this. Thank you.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much! That means a lot to me

[@jamesturtle]

Wonderful story! I'm glad Al is healthy and feeling good enough to tour again. Congrats on 10k Michael!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you very much James!

[@ellenrik]

What a great story and what a fabulous guitar to take with you, a real museum piece. Thank you for sharing. All the best.

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you so much for watching!

[@jez6345789]

An Interesting story thanks I had not heard his version and yes it's impressive and he managed to mould it nicely into his style lots of Al's fave note choices slipped into the flourishes etc,

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you enjoyed it Jez! I think that whole record is very beautiful

[@PhilTaylorGuitar]

Good work Michael. Enjoyed it 👍

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you Phil!

[@roscoe2311]

Congrats on 10k Michael! And thank you for all your videos!

[@MichaelWatts]

Glad you like them! Thank you for your support!

[@neilyoung5029]

Great to see you today mate….I’ll give you a call when your boots are back

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much Neil!

[@DavidRees43]

magnificent 😎

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching David!

[@BluesSky]

Al is prickly, saw it myself at an RTF show when he lost it on a stage hand in the middle of the show. I understand the frustration of the perfectionist though and it was only a mild distraction from an incredible night of music.

[@MichaelWatts]

Well, everyone reacts things like that differently. I was treated and the utmost respect and generosity

[@JimB802]

What a great story to tell your kids! Al Di Meola is one of my guitar heroes from way back. Thank you for sharing. What is the name of the alblum that he was cutting?

[@JimB802]

Never mind I found the album. Thank you Ms. Goggle, "All Your Life (A Tribute To The Beatles Recorded At Abbey Road Studios, London.

[@MichaelWatts]

All your life is the acoustic album - the later electric record is called Across the Universe - both excellent albums

[@victorbeebe8372]

Mahalo!

[@MichaelWatts]

Mahalo nui loa to you too!

[@simonhunt8896]

Really enjoyed you recounting the meeting. Al di Miola is a giant in my opinion. Excuse my ignorance, but what piece was Hernan Romero playing? It was beautiful.

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you for watching Simon! I’ll ask Hernan what he was playing

[@BrianTruesby]

This was so elegantly expressed! Thank you MDW!!

[@MichaelWatts]

Thank you so much my friend!

[@calebbhawkins]

Nylon string guitar is what I call a humbling instrument. While they might fret a little lighter than steel they are far harder to get to sound good and each note is more sensitive to touch I feel like. Combine playing hard material and you’re going to work way harder than some guy ripping on a D28

[@MichaelWatts]

That is true - I’m grateful to have started playing on nylon string

[@calebbhawkins]

@@MichaelWatts I started there too. I still like having a nylon string guitar on hand to help me stay humble. But it’s far easier to play steel for what I do.

[@leoosiku]

Hopefully he told you to listen to Coryell.

[@japanesemaplepruning]

Al is great, one of my favorites but he’s not a flamenco guitarist.

[@MichaelWatts]

Well yeah but he has played flamenco inspired music alongside Paco so I think that’s close enough.