The story of Grace

The iconic K Yairi classical parlor guitar he has played for decades became his travel companion all over the world, and the sound of so many of his songs, and Sting’s songs also. 

He has a few of them now, some are lonely, waiting in tour containers for him to come back.

On one occasion, we were sitting in the Roman amphitheater in Nimes in the south of France. It was before a Sting concert. It was mid summer and was horribly hot, but we found shade back stage under the arcades, where the slaves and gladiators used to wait for the next session with the lions. Sharing some tasty Sting tour food. 

The tanks were soon to roll into Ukraine from the east, so there was an ominous tension in the air.  I’d been watching old Russian war films, like ‘They fought for their country’ for a couple of years. History seems to repeat itself.

As one does, we were talking guitars, and I mentioned the idea of a white one…’maybe save the world.’ 

Everyone at the table, turned around eyes wide open. I said I would try, ask, see what K Yairi Japan thought of the idea. 

I’d had the idea of doing a black one a few years previously. I guess it corresponded to the intensity  we all feel when Dom plays, every note seems to take on a new meaning and intention. His sound and playing are so instantly identifiable. He has his unique touch. ‘Flesh and nails’. He plucks, he doesn’t pick. 

K Yairi managed to make the back and sides transparent black, so the flamed maple would be visible. A nearly impossible task, given the rosewood binding, and many other complicated factors. No point in painting flamed maple translucid black , you couldn’t see the beautiful wood. Dom did hundreds of gigs with this one, and the first Dominic Miller Songbook published by Hal Leonard.

I think it is wonderful that he has found time to do these songbooks, and teach and share. 

Some Guiding Light told me Dom deserved a Tribute Model - 1/1 for him only. Unique like the Maestro himself. 

Thankfully, the K Yairi Japan staff all participated to make the miracle happen. Again. The K Yairi President Yoshimitsu Yairi signed the ticket in agreement. Deep stuff.

A year or so later, the guitar arrived. I couldn’t believe the beauty of the instrument. I was blown away, I have to admit. I’ve seen a lot of guitars, but this was an incredible creation. It had been a long, long wait. I started to hear female backing vocals at night. Chronic insomnia was setting in. Something truly supernatural was happening, or had I just cracked ? Maybe both.

I rang Dom and asked him to take this guitar away asap before I lost the plot completely. I had sent him a couple of teaser photos. Just to let him know it was for real. Each K Yairi guitar is unique, maybe the tone just wouldn’t ‘do it’ for Dom. You just don’t know. 

Fortunately Dom wasn’t too far away, so he dropped over to collect. No way was I going to touch her again. It was one of the most emotionally charged days of my life. He was very moved also. Even put the shades on. Off he went on the Vagabond Tour, which was the most intense tour schedule I have ever seen. I went to see him with his band in Prague at the start. 

Something just clicked between them. 

Dom sent me photos of Grace in hotel rooms from all over the world. The honeymoon was intense. Grace on the bed, Grace looking out the window, Grace on stage… They were clearly hard at it together.

The press attention is huge, and Rick Beato’s interview is certainly an exceptional exchange between two of the ‘greats’ in the Music Business. 

Rick listens and responds beautifully, and Dom plays so well. 

Then he did Song Classics for Solo Guitar, with 

Hal Leonard. 

The never ending tour schedule continues, sold out, with standing ovations from audiences all over  the world.

So there is the story. Grace is a 1/1 Artist Tribute Model. Unique, like Dom. 

The world thanks you for your music, and I thank you for your friendship.