It’s “Embarrassing Photo Thursday” (along with some news stuff)
I ran across this old photo of me (above) taken back in 1981. It was shot in my first apartment (in a then-new apartment complex in Tampa, Florida called “The Cove”). I’m playing a white Les Paul knock-off, and there’s a beautiful wood-grain Kramer Bass Guitar (with an aluminum neck) on the floor behind me, which I dearly loved, but sadly a year later it was stolen by my then-girlfriend’s brother (that’s a whole ‘nuther story). I’m also wearing my beloved “Eastern Airlines” t-shirt under (wait for it, wait for it…..) a gray “Members Only” jacket. Man, was I stylin’ or what! 
Now (once the laughter subsides), it’s time for the news:
- Hey, how about Justin Paguia’s awesome blog post yesterday (the crowd cheers!)? I was very impressed—not just with his excellent techniques, but with the fact that he really shared his process, step-by-step—the full thing from beginning to end. I loved it, and I think Justin just got a whole new legion of fans, and admirers of his brilliant Photoshop work. Thanks Justin, for sharing with my readers without holding back.
- USA Today did a piece on Joe McNally yesterday (which included cameos by Friend of the Blog Syl Arena, and the amazing David Hobby). You gotta read it—here’s the link.
- Nikon released version 2.2, a free update to Capture NX 2. For a list of what’s new (and links to the free download), jump over to Moose’s News Blog (here’s that link).
- My buddy Jeff Rease posted a cute, short video clip of him and I shooting up in Birmingham at the Indy Test Weekend. Jeff took some kick-butt images, and also managed to catch me goofing off. Here’s the link.
- Moose Peterson and RC Concepcion’s “You Can Do It, Too!” workshop is coming up in just one week, and if you want to learn from these two masters, here’s the link to more details on a workshop that can really have a big impact on your career and your success marketing your work.
That’s it for today folks. See you back here tomorrow for some Friday wrap-up stuff. Have a great one! (And stop laughing. That’s how we wore our hair back then).
Ahh the birth of MTV, the salad days of checking the coif in the mirror, looking cool posing in pictures while dreaming of headlining arenas as Boston’s “More Than a Feeling” echoes from the stereo hi-fi. For me, just a few years later and I would be doing the same thing but with Def Leppard’s “Pyromania” changing my entire direction in life.
You are a very brave man Scott to show us those pictures of long gone years!!!!
And I am very interested in the story of the brother of your girlfriend who stole yout guitar!!!
Super cool Scott Kelby – great classic still image!
Love the hair, man!
-Bob
(Boston)
Cool rock-n-roll shot! You’re not the only one to have something like that floating around. This was taken when I was about 18… in a studio no less. I have considerably less hair now…
http://www.fiferphotography.com/samBass.html
Hey Sam:
Isn’t that a Rickenbacker bass?
-Scott
Right there with ya!
Yes, you are correct! Darn good axe, had it almost my entire ‘career’.
I find it interesting that creative types tend to stay in areas that allow them to continue to be creative. Heck, if I lost my present job, I may get into basket weaving…
oh my god Scott, you look so cool
What are you doing in an Eastern Airlines shirt?
A friend of my dad’s was a pilot for Eastern; he gave my dad the shirt, and dad gave it to me. It began my longstanding love-affair with “logo’d” shirts, and now I wear a shirt with a logo on every day, much to the dismay of my wife, who sometimes asks, “Can we wear a shirt to dinner tonight that doesn’t have a logo?” She has no idea what she’s really asking.
-Scott
Maybe “shooting up” isn’t the best way to say I was photographing in Birmingham. Just a thought.
Nice! Hey what board is that to your left?
Hey Dan: That’s a Fender Rhodes, which was THE electric piano to have back then. It weighed quite a bit, but it’s sound was fantastic! (and they’re still used today. Last night on Dancing with the Stars (not that I watch that, mind you), the featured act used a Rhodes (they did a close-up on the keyboard player starting the song). By the way; it wasn’t Hall and Oates, it was a female vocalist—I just can’t remember her name (but she rocked!).
-Scott
lol! THAT keyboard was the first thing I noticed. I had one of those Fender Rhodes. Actually my wife had one, and I had to tote that heavy thing around.
The still produce a unique sound that makes me smile when I hear it. BUT, not bad enough to totally pawn my man card and watch Dancing with the Stars.
Ok, forgive me because I wasn’t alive at the time, but was Fender Rhodes comparable to the Yamaha CP-70 and 80? I know there are still quite a few bands that use the Yamahas too, they have an awesomely unique sound. Same basic principle, older or younger?
I have no comment for this. Ok maybe one, where’s the drums?
mike meyer
And to think that I kept my Members Only jacket…[and yes, a few kids at church have asked where I got it 'cuz they want one too].
BTW, loved the technique from Justin yesterday. Really great!
Scott,
I understand the hair and jacket but remind me what the heck that white thing is — photo left with the spiral cord coming out of it…
As a 1983 graduate from Dunedin High School I remember all about the 1980s along the west coast of Florida. Good times. Good times.
Cheers,
Paulie
“(And stop laughing. That’s how we wore our hair back then).”
Whatcha mean “we” funky white man?!?
This reminds me of a new site one of the BoingBoingGadgets editors put up yesterday.
DorkYearbook.com (no offense, we all have those images hidden in our shoeboxes. I submitted mine already.
Hey Scott-
My brother has the companion to your missing bass: a wood-grained Kramer guitar, complete with aluminum neck! He’s had that thing for twenty years and still loves it, even though it weighs a ton. You’re not alone.
Dave
Here’s a picture of him from sometime around 1985 with it. (It’s OK… I consider this a little brother’s revenge against years of abuse at the hands of big brother.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27672857@N00/567316774
Scott. You look like a young Jerry Seinfeld!
The caption shoud read, “What’ the deal with guitar players who never smile?”
Actually it should read,
“What’s the deal with phone cords that get tangled up by themselves”?
(see background)
Nancy sent me over here! That photo is completely classic.
Once a cool dude always a cool dude!
Fabulous Rhodes Mark IV!
Buddy! How have I never seen this photo before? I thought I’d rummaged through all your old shoe boxes!
It’s awesome! Oh, to be that skinny again. And I had the exact same phone with the exact same twisted cable! Thanks for the 28 year flashback… man I’m feeling old!
I had that much hair back then, too!
Thanks for the mention in your blog, again! I’m honored!
Love the photo. Brings back memories.
Thanks
I like you more all the time… Ill have to show you some images of me when I was in a speed metal band. I was the lead guitar player. I kinda gave that up for the computer when I first got it and then the camera and Photoshop stuff started………………
We would have a lot in common if we ever met..
Weird, Ive always thought of you as some amazing God that was untouchable. Cool to see your so much like me.
Love ya, Mark
Okay, this blog reading can get expensive. I clicked on your first link, read about “The Hot Shoe Diaries” and promptly went to Amazon and bought it.
Love the pic from days gone by….
When using AA Batteries in the D300 it will not give you a frame count as it does with the enel3 and 4 types. FYI but I know y’all know that.
What chord is that? Doesn’t look like any chord I’ve ever played.
Check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIhEiYlJH9Y&feature=channel_page
I’m the one with the grey Strat. I’d love to jam at an with the Big Electric Cat if you would have me.
My princess phone was yellow, and it was the coolest. It was a big deal how long the cords were so you could walk across the room and still talk on it!
Very cute Scott, you look like Vinny Barbarino!!!!
Whoa for a moment there I though you were Lindsey Buckingham? I’m one of those silent ones that chime in every now and then. Funny one of my old stomping grounds was TPA. I went to school there & lived near Bush Gardens before returning to Orlando. Funny I was trying to remember where I was back in 1981? Oh God I don’t think I was in Jail? Little fuzzy..what I find interesting was I was into photography but never got around to having any pics done of myself or and of the groups I played? Guess I was too busy running around in circles & setting up for gigs, all those long nights practicing & playing civic centers, smokey moose lounges and private parties oh my aching head. Oh the stories I could tell..Nice pic Scott.