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Narrative Story: Melody and music shared with family beneath the stars

4/3/2017

16 Comments

 
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Through the rearview mirror, the orange morning sun was just visible through the skyscrapers of the city. A van followed a lead car and within thirty minutes, the city had disappeared and what seemed like endless farmland streamed by. Sleepy-eyed and quiet, each member of my family stared out, watching the cows and goats grazing in fields of green. I enjoyed the silence as I searched the skies for birds of prey with my binoculars pressed around my eyes.
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Rolling foothills eventually rose up and greeted the horizon in lines of thick forest of oak and pine. In the lead, my uncle turned off the highway and within minutes the car began to vibrate violently as he continued along washboard dirt roads. And as the forest thickened, it occurred to me that there were no sign of humans, and there were no cars, or houses, or planes.

Meandering, we weaved the pothole-scarred path until we finally arrived at a dispersed camping site. I exited the car first and stretched, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air. The smell was wondering, something like pine with subtle wildflower, which seemed to intertwine with a distinct musty scent of decomposing leaves and rotting wood. I stared up at the trees soaring up from the earth. They brushed the blue sky with their rustling leaves, now bright green and vibrant with the coming of spring. The songbirds were singing and the squirrels were chasing each other over moss covered tree trunks. The ground was covered in a bed of orange pine needle, with fallen pinecones and the faint scattering of animal tracks.

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The campsite centered around a fire ring, built of stone piled three high. Myself and six others began unpacking our gear, and setting up our tents upon the bare stretches of brown earth. Within an hour, all four tents were erected and we each worked to gather and cut firewood to last us through the night. Once the chores were finished, I began to wander.​

I hiked through the old growth until I came across a rocky crag. Carefully, I climbed the small peak until I reached the top. A most impressive sight revealed itself as mountain foothills rolled on as far as my eye could see. Like great gouges cut from the earth, each rolling peak appeared as slivers, fading from shadow to gentle fog. I took a seat on a large boulder and simply watched the eagles and hawks soar overhead and out over the wide expanse. I only wish I had thought to bring my guitar up with me.

​After awhile, I made my way back to camp just in time for dinner. A young fire danced in the circle, made up of twigs and kindling. We joked around the fire and told stories as we roasted hot dogs, brats, then s’mores. Afterwards, we built up the fire as the sun hid below the horizon. I could only imagine the view at the peak, and though hard about splitting from the group, but once my step dad pulled out my acoustic guitar, the mood of the group turned peaceful and quiet. And we listened as he flowed so smoothly over the strings.

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The guitar was deep crimson and shined brilliantly in the firelight, reflecting the dancing flames in its glossy sheen. Inlayed along the neck were birds, flying, and glowing a most spectacular pearlescent red. The sound oozed from his fingertips and through the body of the acoustic guitar, pairing ever so gently his beautiful voice. He sang our favorites by the Beatles, Neil Young, Supertramp, Genesis, and Pink Floyd. And with each melody moving through each of us around the fire, the sound brought us closer together. We smiled and sang as one for what seemed like only minutes.

But the stars had come out to join us, almost as if to hear the sound of our music, the tune of our hearts and minds, and the words of our cries. Emotion soon filled our tiny voices, because we knew we were singing for more than ourselves. With his final strum, and the last flicker of the smoldering fire, we were roused from our reverie. Rising, we each smiled, and blushed a bit, then hugged each other before calling it a night. It was such a fine night around the fire with family and music, and the stars.


For more information about PRS Guitars can be found here >

If you would like to find out more about  Paul Reed Smith's SE-A10E Cherry Sunburst Acoustic, click here.
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Story written & Photographs by © Brandon Scott / Eye & Pen

16 Comments
Jenni
4/3/2017 09:49:40 am

I loved your story. It was almost like I was there, beside you, listening beneath the stars. =) very beautiful guitar!

Reply
Matthew Jones
4/3/2017 10:01:29 am

This was different but I like the approach. would love to play that guitar

Reply
J. Browning
4/3/2017 10:03:27 am

thanks for posting mate, these are sweet

Reply
Tyler Paris
4/3/2017 10:13:02 am

Makes me want to play guitar and travel

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Laura Williams
4/3/2017 10:27:48 am

Sounds like heaven to me.

Reply
Jen Parsons
4/3/2017 10:28:57 am

Lovely guitar!

Reply
Chris
4/3/2017 10:31:26 am

Bro, sick acoustic. does it sound as good as it looks?

Reply
Trace Andrews
4/3/2017 10:44:23 am

I've never heard of Paul Reed Smith guitars, but now i've gotta checkem out. been thinking i need a new 6-string. been playing a 12 string for so long

Reply
Matt Parsons
4/3/2017 11:06:57 am

Beautiful guitar and great pictures makes me what to be there.

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Chris link
4/3/2017 11:13:55 am

Great piece, Brandon! Takes me back to the days living in the mid-west, spending time with cherished family and friends. Some of the campfire nights, passing around the guitar to each other, waiting for someone to get the courage to start singing. I bet that guitar sang through the forest like an angel. Sounds like you had a great time, Brandon!

Cheers to next time!
-Chris

Reply
Angela
4/4/2017 09:59:19 am

B-E-A-Utiful guitar and photos. I wonder if the guitar sounded as good as they look?

Reply
Leah
4/4/2017 10:04:11 am

That was fun to read, makes me want to travel. And made me wnat to play guitar which is something I'm not sure I ever wanted :D

Reply
Tim Mathews
4/4/2017 11:17:20 am

I really enjoyed the narrative. It gave me some itchy feet, and sore ears... haha, translation: Makes me want to travel and listen to some good acoustic.

Reply
Jeremy Allen
4/5/2017 02:23:50 pm

I've seen their guitars in this guitar shop in Maryland. They all sound really, really good. So no surprise in what I read. Great writing bud!

Reply
Gerry
4/10/2017 11:18:31 am

Stunning mate

Reply
Allen Jones
4/27/2017 08:39:12 am

Beautiful work and guitar Mr. Scott.

Reply



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