Players' Gallery: L — Z

Patty Larkin

With over 10 CD's to her credit, Patty Larkin has won an unprecedented 11 Boston Music Awards, and is also the recipient of the "Distinguished Alumnae Award" from the Berklee College of Music and "Patty Larkin Appreciation Day," a proclamation by Boston's mayor, Thomas Menino. Patty is a "must see" live performer who will not only dazzle you with her amazing guitar skills and vocals, but will also have you holding your side laughing with her humor! Patty plays a 1993 spruce-top Olson SJ Cut-away. You'll find her web page at Patty Larkin

Arthur Lee Land

Known for his "blistering" telecaster work, Arthur is also a master at "looping" in live performances. Touring as a multi-instrumental solo act Arthur calls “A One-Man Afrograss Folk Rock Ensemble,” he utilizes “loop” (live recording) technology to create a full band sound by layering African percussion, bass, acoustic & electric guitars, guitar synth, vocals and talk box. His talents are showcased in the 2006 live DVD Looping In The House. Voted Best Singer/Songwriter by Colorado’s Marquee Magazine for their 2005 Front Row Awards. Arthur Lee Land’s latest CD Dragonfly, released in 2005 on Perfect Groove Records, was produced by Grammy Award Nominated songwriter and producer Wendy Waldman. Arthur performs live on his 1985 Olson Maple Jumbo. You'll find his web page at Arthur Lee.

Kathy Mattea

A renowned country artist (three gold albums and 19 Top-Ten singles as of the summer of 1995) and Grammy award winner, Kathy Mattea certainly took the country music world by storm. Although a long time Taylor Guitar endorser, Jim was thrilled when both she and her Grammy winning singer songwriter husband Jon Vesner ordered their Olson's. You can read more about Kathy on her web site Kathy Mattea .

Paul McCartney

Jim Olson gave a left-handed SJ cutaway to Paul McCartney in the early 1990s, via Phil Keaggy (who was performing at the wedding of Laura Eastman, sister to Linda McCartney). The gift and ensuing jam session between Paul and Phil were documented in the Phil Keaggy Newsletter. Paul, of course, played in a rather obscure band known as The Beatles. Jim was actually able to see the Beatles perform live in Minneapolis in 1965. A good starting point for locating information about The Beatles on the web is the Beatles Again page. A definitive resource on everything Beatles.

Graham Nash

Originally a co-founder of the British invasion group the Hollies, Graham Nash is without question one of the most enduring figures of rock and roll. Beside being a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee with the legendary group Crosby, Stills and Nash, He is a lifelong photo enthusiast and pioneer in digital imaging. Read about Graham's many accomplishments at the Graham Nash site. Here is some of what Graham had to say about his new guitar: ... "the THING IS INCREDIBLE...... this guitar makes me feel great....It's wonderful when ones expectations are realized... 100 fold... I don't effuse much but good Lord, what a score... again my sincere thanks"....

Al Petteway

Instrumentalist Al Petteway began playing an Olson SJ (nicknamed "Osgood" by Cheryl Wheeler; it was her first Olson and was on loan to Al when Cheryl got her second Olson) in 1996, both in the studio and on the road. He is currently playing an Olson that he got from David Wilcox. He has won 12 WAMMIE awards (Washington [D.C.] Area Music Association awards) for his instrumental albums, which feature some of the nicest fingerstyle playing fusing Celtic and American traditions you're likely to hear, often with accompaniment by Uilleann pipes, digeridoo, bodhran, and other traditional instruments. He has also contributed great playing to recordings by other artists, including those by fellow Olson player Cheryl Wheeler.

Lou Reed

Lou Reed is probably best known for his early 70s hit, "Take a Walk on the Wild Side." But that was merely an early milestone in a long and productive career that crosses many musical boundaries. Visit the Official Lou Reed Web Site for more info about Lou Reed's recordings and concert performances.

Sting

Sting (Gordon Matthew Sumner) called Jim to order his Olson guitar in the Spring of 1994. The photo here was taken from the liner the Chieftans The Long Black Veil CD, on which Sting appeared as a guest artist. Besides Sting's Homepage There are a number of web resources devoted to Sting and his music. A good starting point for net surfing is Sting Etc.

John Michael Talbot

Talbot was born into a Methodist family with a musical background in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and started learning to play the guitar at an early age. At age 15 he dropped out of school and was performing as a guitarist for Mason Proffit, a country folk/rock band formed with his older brother Terry. Reading the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, he was inspired to begin studying at a Franciscan center in Indianapolis. He became a Roman Catholic, and joined the Secular Franciscan Order in 1978. He started a house of prayer, The Little Portion. Talbot moved The Little Portion to Eureka Springs, Arkansas on land he had purchased during his Mason Proffit days. He formed his own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage, an "integrated monastic community," with celibate brothers and sisters, singles, and families. By 1989, Talbot had married Viola Pratka (with the permission of the Catholic Church). Pratka was a former Incarnate Word Sister who had come to the community in 1986. Official website of John Michael Talbot.

James Taylor

See our James Taylor page.

Ian Tyson

Canadian Ian Tyson's illustrious career as a folk and cowboy musician has spanned three decades. His professional career began with the 60s folk duo, Ian and Sylvia, and from there moved to country-rock. After a hiatus as a horse trainer and rancher in Alberta, Tyson returned to the music world with his "new western music." His second music career keeps him busy touring all over North America, from Canada to Mexico. He has received numerous music awards, and is also a recipient of the Order of Canada. For more info about Tyson's career, visit The Legendary Ian Tyson Official Website. The especially beautiful photo of Tyson performing live with his Olson shown here is by Todd Korol.

Cheryl Wheeler

Cheryl is one of the most influential of the "new" crop of singer/songwriters. Besides being a talented songwriter, singer, and player, she is also renowned for her hilarious improvisational storytelling between songs in her live performances. Her first Olson SJ, "Osgood," is now in the more-than-capable hands of Al Petteway; Cheryl is now playing a newer SJ with a narrower neck. You can find out more about Cheryl and her music at Bill Pringle's Cheryl Wheeler Home Page

David Wilcox

See our David Wilcox page.