Norman Blake

[Queequeg]

Still (somewhat) active at age 85.
My first big influence in flatpicking.
One of, if not THE premier flatpicking albums of all time is Norman's 1976 recording "Whiskey Before Breakfast".
Norman recorded this album on a 1934 CFM D-18 however the album cover art features him playing a 1936 D-18.
I had the opportunity to meet Norman and Nancy Blake back in 1991 and he signed my copy of "Whiskey Before Breakfast" for me. It's now framed and hangs in my music room.
This video features Fretboard Journal contributor Bob Minner, Bryan Sutton, Chris Eldridge and Kenny Smith geeking out and playing the 1936 Martin D-18 that graces the cover of this iconic album.
This is a 45-minute-long love letter to a guitar and it's full of insights on Blake.

[old folky]

I have that album too.  Great stuff.  First time I ever heard of him was on the Philadelphia Folk Festival on TV back in the '70,s.

[ducktrapper]

I don't own a copy but I have had whiskey before breakfast once or twice. Blake is a treasure.

[old folky]

I'm more like a "beer before breakfast"!

[ducktrapper]

I'm more like a "beer before breakfast"!

A couple of times, I've poured a shot and fallen asleep in front of the TV and woke up in the morning and said, "Shame to waste it."