1981, Sirus Crescent, Dartmouth, NS. A friend of mine, Kevin Westlake, was boarding at a house on Sirus Crescent. He called me up one night and said “Get over here with your guitar” and hung up the phone before I could say anything. When I arrived I was introduced to everyone there: Stan, Ariel, Garnet, Paul Mills and David Rogers. That night Stan introduced me to open tuning (DADGAD). I was 16 at the time and didn’t really appreciate the situation. It wasn’t until I started sailing with George Snow from Canso, NS, that I heard Stan’s music again. My life was changed forever. I picked up the guitar again after 11 years and I have been singing and playing ever since. Thanks Stan, for the music lesson and your music.

—Scott Patterson