Guitarists of his ilk are either dead or famous - reason enough to catch Wizz Jones at The Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club this month.
The acoustic guitarist and bluesman will be kicking off his 2004 with a concert in Ynysddu near Blackwood on Friday, January 16.
Wizz, who has worked with and influenced the likes of Eric Clapton, John Renbourn, Ralph McTell and Bert Jansch, will also hold a workshop before performing.
Wizz was first inspired to pick up a guitar in 1958 when he heard the likes of Big Bill Broonzy and Muddy Waters playing in The Roundhouse Club, Wardour Street, London.
He learned most of his licks from Long John Baldry and Davy Graham, playing the coffee bars of Soho, before busking through Europe, at one time with a young Rod Stewart, before returning to Britain in 1963.
There he formed a bluegrass duo with banjo picker Pete Stanley which lasted four years and saw an LP released via EMI.
In 1967 they went their separate ways but not before they'd influenced a generation of folk players, not least the mighty Bob Dylan.
Solo work has followed for Wizz but with little champagne - though the guitarist's critical awards have been great.
* Wizz Jones plays The Islwyn Acoustic Guitar Club, Ynysddu Hotel, Ynysddu, near Blackwood, on Friday, January 16 at 8.30pm. There's a guitar workshop at 7pm. Tickets are £6/£4 cons. For more info dial 01495 270078.
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