An Illustration by John Hartford

John drew this illustration for me around 1958 when I picked up an old used banjo. He states "HOLD BANJER RIGHT OUT IN FRONT AND THAN JUST PICK TAR OUTEN' ER". Even early on John had a way with words didn't he? Notice John signed his name as Harford. He didn't change to Hartford until around 1965 when Chet Atkins suggested that he add a "T" to his name. This was about the time that Chet realized he had some unique talent in John and helped him get a recording contract with RCA. By the way, John majored in art at Washington University here in St. Louis. Wash' U is located just a few blocks from where John was living when we met.