Michael Gaither

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Click here to listen to episode #124 (time = 35:40)

There are two ways to setup this interview: 1) Why would a successful touring artist like Stevie Coyle, after spending decades on the road, suddenly say, “I’m done”? OR…2) “Why would it take a performing artist decades on the road to FINALLY say “I’m done?”

We’ll find out soon enough in this “Songs and Stories” field trip. In this return visit with the very funny and very talented fingerstyle guitar player Stevie Coyle – we first chatted back in Episode 14 – we learn about a recent epiphany he had on the return trip from an Oregon tour. Stevie has spent years as a traveling performer, first with the Royal Lichtenstein Circus, then with bay area favorites The Waybacks, and for the past six years as a solo performer. But he realized he was ready for a change. He’s now a friendly local merchant, running Mighty Fine Guitars in Lafayette, California.

The store is a perfect fit for Stevie, whose passion for fine instruments has found the perfect home. His high-end store shares a wall with his niece, Colleen McCormick, who runs Lamorinda Music. They’ve also created a performing space in the back of their complex, which is now a regular house concert-type series that allows Stevie to also feature performances from many of the luthiers and guitars that are showcased in the shop out front.

Note: This episode features clips of “Rue du Romie” and “Penny Wishes” from Stevie’s solo record, “Ten In One”. It also includes Stevie demo’ing guitars from luthiers Peter Rodman and Michael Dunn. Mighty Fine Guitars is at 85 Lafyette Circle in Lafayette, CA. You can call – and talk to Stevie himself at (925) 268-8226