Jim Bowie

Close encounters of the Les Paul kind.

Okay… the good news. Shipping is only $60.41 via UPS ground. The not-so-good news is that this VINTAGE 1960 GIBSON LES PAUL STANDARD BURST has a “Buy-it-now” price on eBay of $325,000 US dollars. Hey, don’t take my word for it – look it up. Item # 180532889801.

This is made possible because of Les Paul, and if you’ve never been in the same room with Les – sorry - it’s too late. Les left us after a fruitful adventure on our planet at the age of 94. I was fortunate to have been ‘in the room’ with Les twice in his lifetime.

My first encounter with the legend was at a private Gibson Guitar event in Nashville in 2003. New product intros were accompanied by an appearance from Les, and performances by Ted Nugent, Johnny A, and others. It was a small intimate gathering – invite only – and Karen and I attended as guests of one of the marketing managers. While working at ChampCar, we had negotiated a deal with Gibson where the winner of the 2003 Cleveland Champ Car race would receive a custom Gibson Les Paul as a trophy. With the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame nearby, it was a natural. Sebastien Bourdais won the guitar…. but I digress.  Fact is, I was in the room with Les Paul.


Les Paul played the Iridium Jazz Club every Tuesday night.

A few years later, I was attending a Motorsports Marketing Forum in New York City. “Motorsports Marketing” - as it was being taught by this group - was apparently an oxymoron… but yet again, I digress. I knew that Les Paul still played a live show every Tuesday night at the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC, so I bought a ticket and went to the show. What a thrill.

But this isn’t about me, and it’s not about Les Paul…. It’s about you. It’s about the fact that life is short and there are ‘things’ that you just have to do. And, as I am full service, I‘ll offer some thought-starters. And yes, this is the ‘bucket list’ – except – unlike the movie, do the things on your list early and they will change your life. Don’t wait until your last six months on the planet.

Let’s cover some basics. You gotta see Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon, the Rocky Mountains, a Buckeye football game at Ohio State, and the two towers – CN and Devil’s. These are a must. Non-negotiable.


Devil's Tower in Wyoming. It's not negotiable - you must see this (in person).


Buckeye Football at the Horseshoe at Ohio State University. It's a must...

Next, you have to get in the same room with those people that have had a significant impact on you. Whether it’s Sidney Crosby, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Obama or Muhammad Ali, you have to get to them. It is quite fulfilling… really. Think about the people that Les Paul has impacted. I get to say that I was in the same room as him.


My daughter Andrea spent less than 15 seconds with Steven Tyler - but it was life-changing.

Some other life-changing activities? You can drive a race car. Yes, an ex-Jeff Gordon stock car, or an open wheel race car at Mosport, Mt. Tremblant or Laguna Seca. Yes you can – it will change your life.

Have you attended the Indy 500, Daytona 500 or a Formula 1 race in Monaco? Plenty of seats still available!

I saw Led Zeppelin in 1977 and I have that memory, well, some of it – forever. Don’t be that person who says “I wish I would have ….”


So, make your list and do it now. Don’t wait. Get in the same room with Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Dina Pugliese, John Force and/or Lance Armstrong. Bungee jump and skydive. Learn to play the drums, cook, and fly an airplane - all at the same time. Drive a BMW in the fast lane on the Autobahn.

Do it now. It will change your life.

ps. There is a great documentary available on DVD about the life of Les Paul. It is called “Les Paul – Chasing Sound”. Add that to your list. It is outstanding.