Shutter to Think: Gift of music given with no strings attached

Last week I worked on one of the coolest stories I’ve worked on – well, at least since last December’s single-digit temperatures gut-punched the Sauk Valley. It was about a group of friends/musicians who rehab donated musical gear and give instruments away to future rock stars.

This all happens in the hamlet of Nachusa. In an unassuming garage on a dead end, Tory Willard, Jason Stephens, Brian Shippert, Scott Webb and Luke Smith sat in a half-circle waiting for the next recipient of their gift.

Sitting on a table next to Smith was a matte black electric guitar with a spiffy purple amp destined for greatness at the hands of young Kris Riggen, 10, of Dixon.

The young man can only be described as stunned at the surprise, saying very little but listening intently as Stephens showed him how to tune the guitar and then handed over the cable, picks and other necessities.

The group does this a couple of times a month and asks nothing in return other than it be kept a surprise and to have a photo posted on its Facebook page.

In the season of giving, I can’t think of a more perfect example than what this group offers, made better by not being restrained by December and even better by adding in the gift of music.

– Alex T. Paschal

Follow me on Instagram @svmphotogs or email me apaschal@saukvalley.com.