PRESENCE - Volume 48
Inspiration For Guitarists
One of the strangest gigs I’ve ever done was about nine years ago.
My band was hired to be the musical entertainment for a pay-per-view boxing match — Evander Holyfield’s comeback fight.
We were told to play before and after the fight, and between rounds — kind of like the Late Show bands that play through commercial breaks.
The whole thing felt surreal from the start.
It was held at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia — a historic luxury hotel that’s hosted 28 U.S. presidents and even has a secret underground bunker built for Congress during the Cold War.
Totally by coincidence, our singer’s brother was a priest whose parish was Greenbrier, WV. So we ended up staying at the rectory with Father Chapin, who was an incredibly kind and hilarious host.
But the wildest part?
The sax player joining us for the gig was Clarence Clemons — the legendary saxophonist from Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band
Here was a guy who’d played stadiums, turning around and asking me what key the song was in.
And he couldn’t have been nicer. Down-to-earth, humble, and totally in the moment.
Most importantly — he was a team player.
That night reminded me of something I’ve seen again and again over the years:
The musician community is full of generous, supportive people — even the ones who’ve played on the biggest stages.
If you’ve been nervous about jamming or playing with others, take this as a sign:
Get out of your comfort zone.
What starts out intimidating might just become one of the most inspiring experiences of your musical life.
This week’s YouTube video shows you how to build a simple, realistic practice plan for 2026 — so you actually make progress without burning out.
Here are a couple more recent videos that you might find helpful:
Happy Practicing - Dustin
PS: I’ll be opening my Office Hours coaching sessions in February. It’s a small-group space for guidance, feedback, and staying focused with your practice. I’ll share details when it’s ready.