God doesn't need to know what time it is.

Trying to explain watches to the non-enthusiast is similar to trying to explain high end audio to the non-enthusiasts. Thanks for the thead as I haven't put on a watch in a while. Knew which one to choose... the Seadweller put a smile on face, very satisfying. 

@tylermunns 

Yes-- B. Paisley is an exception to many on the New Country scene. 

I favor older stuff, myself-- Jerry Jeff, EmmyLou, Rodney Crowell, Willie, etc. 

@stuartk: For me, the Telecaster starts with James Burton. He made a huge impression on the very young me, smiling as he stood behind Ricky Nelson on The Ozzie & Harriet TV show. His solo on Ricky's "Young World" is a favorite of mine, and George Harrison's solo on "Nowhere Man" sounds like it was modeled on the YW solo.

Steve Cropper was the second Tele player for me, his playing on "Green Onions" as good as it gets (good songwriter, too). I had that song as the ring tone on my cell phone for years. It always got a great reception from those who heard it playing on my phone in public. ;-)

As for Brad Paisley: As talented as he is, I have to admit I have mixed feelings about his playing. I take very seriously the notion of the musician's priorities as being in service to first the song, second the singer, third the ensemble, and lastly his instrument. I'm not sure Brad sees things that way.

It's interesting how the guitar a guy has in his hands affects his playing. For years Dave Edmunds was an ES335 player (he has two dot-neck 58's!), and when he switched to a Tele it just wasn't the same. I witnessed that with Bill Pitcock IV (Dwight Twilley's guitarist) too.

I lived in San Jose when Robben Ford moved south (from very northern California) with his brothers, stopping in town for a coupla years and playing around the Bay Area. The bassist in my senior year High School band joined The Charles Ford Band (named after the boys father) for a while, so I saw Robben live a lot. All the San Jose guitarists had to re-evaluate their playing after seeing Robben live ;-) . He worked with Charlie Musslehite for a while, playing a 335 back then. Next thing I knew he had moved to L.A. and was playing with Joni Mitchell, then Miles Davis. All it takes is talent.

There is no god. 

@bdp24 

I never saw James Burton on TV-- my first astonishing exposure was on the song "For No One" on Emmy Lou Harris' "Pieces of the Sky" album. At that point, I had absolutely no idea that a "Country" player could play in such a "jazzy" manner, my only point of reference for Country playing being Roy Buchanan. I can see your point about Paisley, BTW.

Steve Cropper is one of those players who doesn't play a lot of notes. . . and doesn't need to, as everything he plays just sounds right. Cornell Dupree is one of the great R&B tele players I was trying to think of, while we're on this genre. 

Robben Ford. . . everyone talks about his chops. What about his ears? ? ? 

Taking over from Larry Carlton with J. Mitchell. . . how many could step into those shoes?  I'm hoping the next J. Mitchell box set will include unreleased live performances from the "Miles of Aisles" tour she did with Robben and the LA Express. 

I saw Robben on the Tiger Walk tour and enjoyed that material very much. I saw him later at at casino in the Tahoe area and the constant screaming by a highly inebriated crowd ruined that show for me. I left as three cops were attempting to wrestle some guy to the ground who was freaking out on who-knows-what substance. Bad scene. Can't imagine trying to play to that sort of audience!

And those who've been summoned by Miles belong to a very elite club. . . Shorter, Carter, Holland, Corea, McLaughlin, Jarrett, DeJohnette, Coleman, Hancock, Scofield, Williams, Garrett, Bartz, etc.