Not singing the blues.
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Grade 7 student Daniel Reid strums a tune on the guitar he received from blues legend Duke Robillard.
Peter Clark, Renfrew Mercury
If he wasn’t before, St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School Grade 7 student Daniel Reid has become a big fan of blues guitarist Duke Robillard.
A friend of Reid’s teacher Annice O’Rourke shared a Facebook post by Robillard, a four-time Best Blues Guitarist Award winner who hails from Rhode Island.
“I decided to give away another guitar for Christmas this year to a promising young person who wants to play guitar,” Robillard’s post began.
The post informed people where to send their request on why a certain individual should receive the guitar.
“On a whim, I emailed Duke with the name of one of my Grade 7 students, Daniel Reid,” O’Rourke said.
“Daniel is a quiet boy who has been avidly coming to my guitar club for the past three years. He obviously practises a great deal and puts his heart and soul into his guitar playing. He has improved a lot playing his acoustic guitar, but he really needed an electric guitar to further his skills and playing style. I really didn’t expect anything to come of it, but right before Christmas I learned that Daniel was the winner of the guitar.
“Duke sent out a guitar from his own personal collection and included a small practice amp and a guitar bag,” O’Rourke added.
“He sent it to my house, at my suggestion, as I was aware there would be customs and delivery charges through UPS. The guitar arrived late Friday (Jan. 4).”
O’Rourke let Reid know before Christmas that he was the recipient of the guitar, and presented it to him at school Jan. 7.
Honour deserved
Not big on long responses, “excited” is how Reid felt when he learned he’ll be receiving a guitar.
“There couldn’t be a more deserving kid. I think he’s going to be a good guitarist some day,” O’Rourke said.
“I myself saw Duke play in Toronto a couple of years back and he’s as good as the critics say.
“He’s put out many, many albums and has played with many legends.
“Daniel is indeed very lucky to be an owner of one of his own guitars from his collection.”
“He’s very proud, and the other kids are proud for him,” school principal Connie Dick added.