Music plays a big part in the Hanover Girls story. It’s there in Book 1, but it gets more and more pronounced in each of the following books. There is no doubt that music is an inspiration to me, and it has been since I was young. In college, I was in a road cover band with my brother. We traveled all over the western US. There was no greater joy than performing, even in dive bars with 500 drunk rig workers. The crowd appreciated the good live music and we were happy to oblige.

A couple of years ago, I mentioned to the same brother that I was looking for another guitar. I have a few, but I wouldn’t say I’m a collector. My electrics of choice are Fender Stratocasters. I was pretty specific in what I wanted. I already owned a 1965 pre-CBS Stratocaster that I got when I was in ninth grade. It’s now considered a relic but in a good way. We won’t talk about what year that was. I told my brother I always wanted a sunburst Strat with a rosewood fingerboard. It could be a MIM (Made in Mexico) because those are renowned for their high quality but affordable. I already had a US-made Strat and frankly, I don’t feel worthy of a Custom Shop Strat.

In any case, low and behold, my brother found this guitar, for sale in his local area. This guitar was gifted to the seller by his father, but the son never played it. He had it for ten years and never even took the plastic wrap off the pickguard. My brother shipped it and I received it yesterday. It’s an awesome guitar. Everything I hoped for. I have an awesome brother.

The youngest of the Hanover kids, Jack Hanover, is a guitar virtuoso at a very young age. Is it any wonder his favorite guitar is a Fender Stratocaster? Yes, I live vicariously through my characters. Music defines relationships for the Hanovers all the way through the series. These kids work at music and become better musicians and better human beings. Isn’t that what music is all about?