Meet the Maker: John Calkin

by Lamar Scomp

Originally published in American Lutherie #99, 2009



John Calkin lives in my neighborhood. He’s trying to teach me to build guitars. We talk about lots of things, but we always start with guitars. Finally he says to me, “Lamar, why don’t we talk into a tape machine about me, and if it’s any good, I’ll type it up and send it in.” Well shoot, with a confidence boost like that, who could say no? So here’s the talkin’ — if’n he liked it.

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Where was you born, and how come you’re here in Virginia?

Don’t jump in time so fast, Lamar. You’ll get the hang of this as we go.

I was born in New Jersey. It was a good place to be a boy when I was one. Now it’s not a good place for anyone, and that’s why I’m in Virginia.