Guitar Allstars at Broken Arrow
Every Remarkable Career Has a Story Behind It
When the team behind Guitar All Stars invited Free Guitars 4 Kids to Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, they gave us far more than the opportunity to present two guitars to deserving young musicians. They welcomed us into a community built on decades of friendship, musicianship, and generosity.
Throughout the weekend, our co-founder, Terry Esau, experienced moments few people ever have the privilege of experiencing. He celebrated his birthday surrounded by friends, old and new, as a packed festival crowd surprised him with a spirited rendition of "Happy Birthday." He also had the honor of presenting two deserving young musicians with brand new guitars on stage during the festival.
At Free Guitars 4 Kids, those moments never become routine. Every guitar represents the beginning of a new journey, and sharing that experience with young musicians and their families is a privilege we'll never take for granted.
As if that wasn't enough, between performances, Terry found himself sitting down backstage with some of the most accomplished musicians in the world for thoughtful conversations about music, life, and the experiences that shaped them.
To say it was an unforgettable weekend would be an understatement.
As we reflected on everything that happened, one thought kept coming back to us.
These were conversations worth sharing.
Whether you're picking up a guitar for the very first time or you've spent a lifetime around music, we hope these conversations offer something meaningful. They are honest reflections on the moments, mentors, opportunities, and lessons that shaped remarkable careers.
We're honored to begin with acclaimed guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Damon Johnson, whose remarkable career has included Brother Cane, Alice Cooper, Thin Lizzy, Black Star Riders, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. His story reminds us that every extraordinary journey begins somewhere.
In Damon's case, it began with a gifted Fender Jazzmaster and a dream that carried him from a chicken farm in Alabama to stages around the world.
"Every good thing that has ever happened to me was because of music."
-Damon Johnson
More Conversations from Guitar All Stars
Damon Johnson was just one of several remarkable artists Terry had the privilege of sitting down with throughout the weekend.
Together, these conversations offer an honest look at the people behind the music. They reflect on first guitars, lifelong mentors, unexpected opportunities, hard lessons, and the experiences that shaped their lives both on and off the stage.
These aren't conversations about celebrity.
They're conversations about craftsmanship.
Curiosity.
Humility.
Purpose.
And the lifelong relationship between people and music.
Stay tuned as we release the rest of the conversations captured during an unforgettable weekend at Guitar All Stars.
An Allstar Thank You
Our sincere thanks to the entire Guitar All Stars family for welcoming Free Guitars 4 Kids into such a special weekend.
Your generosity made far more than a guitar giveaway possible. It created opportunities for meaningful conversations, lasting friendships, and stories that we believe will continue encouraging musicians and music lovers for years to come.
We're grateful to have been part of it, and we're honored to share these moments with you.
