I made  a resonator for the man who made the first resonator I ever saw - John Reuter, the director of training at the Roberto Venn School of Luthiery. He’s holding that prophetic instrument from 22 years ago along with his Parr Mule. His first words after spending a night with it were “Holy shit!” Career made. 

I owe John and the crew at RV a lot. I got there when I was 18 and they put me, and thousands of others since, on the right path. I think it’s good to remember that we are indebted to others. We can treat givers like they are giving away their surplus - their extra time, their extra grace, their extra effort. It’s given so naturally we don’t notice that it’s usually what we are unable or unwilling to give ourselves. We take and then hustle off to worry about our preoccupations. We can be more aware of our responsibility of reciprocation, a foundation of relationships. Sometimes we can give back directly and sometimes we pass it on to others. This is where making a better world begins. It’s a beautiful thing.

-Matt