Olson Sightings

Phil Keaggy (and his Olson) Featured in Christian Musician

Phil Keaggy was the cover artist for the Jan/Feb 2002 issue of Christian Musician magazine. In addition to the cover shot (shown here), the article included five photos of Phil—with his trusty old SJ in his hands in every one of them. Phil and his SJ even appear in the GHS strings ad in the issue! The issue also includes several pages of tablature with excerpts from Phil's acoustic instrumental tune, "As it is in heaven," transcribed by yours truly.

Bob Taylor on Olson guitars

Bob Taylor, founder of Taylor guitars, is a good friend of Jim's. Bob is well known in the world of luthiery for his generosity and openness with his fellow luthiers. He and luthier Tom Anderson gave Jim some crucial advice on using the Fadal. Jim speaks highly of Bob and his influence on modern luthiery. The appreciation evidently goes both ways. In a recent issue of the Taylor Guitars newsletter, Bob had this to say about Jim's work:

James Olson and his guitars hold a special place, in my opinion. There's no nicer, more humble, or more talented person on the planet than James. He is a master of guitar building, working all alone in a beautiful shop on his homestead in Minnesota. I dig the way James makes 60 or so guitars, by himself, in his one man "factory." He's good with tools,and sweats blood worrying if his guitars will measure up, and if people will like them. People like them all right, and so do I. He produces a guitar with a beautiful tone that many of todays performers swear by.

James Taylor Performs at September 11 Benefit

JT was among the many artists who joined Paul McCartney for a concert to benefit the victims of the September 11 tragedy in 2002. The VH1 web site posted a nice collection of photos of the event, including one of JT's performance (photo by Scott Grimes). Jim was proud to see one of his guitars used for so noble a musical purpose.

David Wilcox's Web Site Welcomes Visitors with an Olson

David Wilcox's new-for-the-millenium web site welcomed visitors in 2001 with this cool photo of David holding his Olson. Go visit the David Wilcox page to see the striking full-size version and other photos of Wilcox with his Olsons. The same photo graces the cover of the November/December 2000 issue of Fingerstyle Guitar (issue #40), in which Wilcox says of his Olsons, "... the Olson guitars are the best I've found, and I'm always looking. They have warmth and clarity, but can still deliver a punch when played hard. The neck is so strong that the action doesn't move when the bass strings are tuned way down." The CD accompanying the issue includes Wilcox's song, "Guitar shopping," recorded with his Olson in CGDGBE tuning. Tablature for the song is in the issue.

Phil Keaggy's Web Site Also Welcomes Visitors with an Olson

Maybe Wilcox got the idea from Keaggy! Ever since its introduction in 1999, Phil Keaggy's web site has been welcoming visitors with what may be my favorite Keaggy photo, taken by upstate New York photographer Randi Anglin (a recent site redesign has moved the photo to the page background). We've reproduced it here without the graphical alterations performed by Keaggy's webmaster, with Anglin's gracious permission. Click it for a larger version!

James Taylor's Olsons On Videos

You can see and hear James Taylor's first three Olsons on his delightful Squibnocket video (which has been broadcast on the Disney cable TV channel). The video intersperses brief but insightful interview segments with performances videotaped in a barn where JT rehearsed with his band in preparation for the tour that produced his 1993 James Taylor (Live) double album and the abbreviated Best Live collection.

A few years later another live video (this one of a concert appearance) also showcased his Olsons: James Taylor Live at the Beacon Theater. As one of the first concerts ever filmed with DVD in mind, the DVD version (with 5.1 surround sound) is often seen in DVD demonstration suites.

JT's Olson on The Simpsons!

One of James Taylor's Olson guitars appeared (in cartoon form!) on The Simpsons TV show when James made a cameo appearance on that show (also in cartoon form). An executive affiliated with the show is a guitarist and Olson owner, and made sure the trademark "O" appeared in James's cartoon guitar! Astronaut Buzz Aldrin also appears on this episode, in which NASA chooses Homer Simpson to ride on the Space Shuttle Corvair. (Episode 1F13, fifth season; first aired February 24, 1994.)

You'll find soundbites of JT's Simpsons appearance at the James Taylor Online web site.

Justin Hayward Live

A couple years ago Olson fan Sue Emery "from snowy Montana" wrote with the following Olson sighting:

Justin Hayward recently released a video of a show he did last year as part of his solo tour to promote his latest solo CD. It's called Justin Hayward Live in San Juan Capistrano. The show was filmed in an intimate setting at a coffee house and features 22 songs, half of which Justin performs on his Olson. The sound on this video is the very best I've ever heard of a concert performance. He begins the show with a simple acoustic set, then adds bass, precussion and keyboard players. The success of the video has prompted a release of a CD of the performance.

Public Broadcasting has just picked up the rights for the video and is making two abbreviated versions available to affiliates for one year, beginning around Nov. 23. One version is shortened even more and includes intros for pledge breaks. I believe a version of the video (I don't know if it will be the shortened or the original 2 hr. version) and the CD will be available as pledge premiums.

If your local PBS station chooses to air the show you can try before you buy =-).

The video is probably no longer available from PBS, but it's now available online from the Justin Hayward web site. You can view clips of the video site, including the classic "Nights in white satin" (with him on electric guitar) and "Troubador" (on acoustic).

Sting's Olson Makes Appearances

Sting did a guest spot on a recent Chieftans album, and had a promotional photo taken with him holding his Olson as he sat among the Chieftans.

In April of 1996, the Bravo cable TV channel broadcast an interview with Sting, including footage of his house and of a rehearsal/recording session. In one scene, Sting's guitar player is playing Sting's Olson, with Sting looking on.

Chet Atkins on an Olson!

Chet Atkins performed on an Olson guitar on a May 1996 broadcast of The Nashville Network's Prime Time Country show. He played his famous solo acoustic arrangement of Don Maclean's "Vincent." Chet borrowed the guitar from Mark Thompson of The Judds for this performance.