Loretta and Red may sound like sappy love song titles, but for 14-year-old Lincoln Smith, these names possess a little more edge. They’re the names of his guitars; the former an acoustic referencing “sweet Loretta Martin” from the Beatles’ hit Get Back. Red, the electric instrument, was received on Lincoln’s last birthday, a testament to his recently growing interest in guitar music. “Growing interest” may be an understatement. As his mom, Kristy, elaborates, “he plays the guitar almost every waking moment—from the time he wakes up in the morning until he goes to sleep at night.” For Lincoln, this isn’t laborious or exhausting; it’s a passion that has proved incredibly rewarding.

Like most passions, Lincoln’s started with a surface-level interest: 60s and 70s rock music. Conversations with his grandpa further stimulated this liking as they listened to the Beatles, Eagles, and other groups. They’d also curate rock playlists and discuss the riveting stories and history behind the songs and bands. These lengthy exchanges inspired Lincoln’s dad, an on-and-off guitarist, to purchase an instrument for Lincoln. But, to quote the Beatles, it was “a hard day’s night,” to say the least.

Not having any experience with guitar, Lincoln enrolled in lessons at Music Royale in Powell. “Practice makes perfect” is certainly true, as is the opposite. When he started, Lincoln only played during his weekly lessons; he saw minimal progress and improvement. Rather than giving up, he began picking up—the guitar. Eventually, it wasn’t just “Lincoln,” but “Lincoln and Loretta.” Whether he was watching TV, hanging out outside, sitting around with friends, eating at the dinner table…Loretta was there. And if he wasn’t playing, he was watching someone else play. Concert videos featuring the greats—Joe Walsh, Don Felder, and Eric Clapton—became Lincoln’s preferred entertainment. He’s even been able to experience Walsh live at a concert for their band, The Eagles, on a school night in Lexington. Lincoln’s mom justified this decision by calling it “a memory and experience that would last a lifetime”—she is Lincoln’s biggest supporter, after all. Also a role model for the young guitarist is his father, who, as mentioned, got Lincoln started on this journey. The two play music together for hours; Lincoln’s dad never lets him settle for less than his best. Of course, this mantra doesn’t just apply to guitar.

Without his guitar, Lincoln is likely participating in a sport. He plays baseball for Liberty MS, recreational basketball, tennis, and golf. Spending time with family and friends is another one of Lincoln’s pastimes. Unsurprisingly, debates over the best musical era often take over these occasions. To no one’s surprise, Lincoln argues for 60s and 70s rock.

Lincoln doesn't read music less unconventional than one might think, and all the Beatles and Eric Clapton members shared this trait. Rather, Lincoln plays based on visual cues and by reading tablature, also called tab. For those unfamiliar with the concept, the tab is a relatively quick and easy way to learn the songs by telling the musician what strings and frets to use. Additionally. Listening to music at the frequency he does helps him play by memory, as he often will. By no means does this make the guitar an elementary undertaking. Nonetheless, he “enjoys seeing himself improve with practice and challenging himself with new songs that require more skill than previous songs he has learned,” his mom illustrates. Besides the technical aspect, Lincoln also enjoys the entertainment side—playing for an audience and performing songs they like and know. Spending time with his dad, in particular, makes the experience worthwhile. 

If fatherly bonding and increased self-esteem weren’t enough in terms of accomplishment, Lincoln certainly has added to the list. Joining a band, the Fender Benders, through “Rock School” at Music Royale has paired Lincoln up with another guitarist, a bass player, a drummer, and a vocalist. For two months, they practiced constantly—for what, one may ask? On March 3, 2024, Lincoln performed his first live gig at the Lazy Chameleon. The venue was complete with a stage, lighting, equipment, and a huge crowd—part of Lincoln’s family and friends traveling from near to far to attend. An upcoming performance on May 12 will feature Lincoln and a new band through Rock School.

Already at this point in the narrative, it’s clear that Lincoln’s family and his involvement in guitar have been closely linked. Sometimes, he’ll travel back to the beginning of it all; that is to say, he’ll visit his grandparents on weekend trips to Sandusky to demonstrate his progress. Also a budding musician is his 12-year-old sister, Eleanor. That’s why a music room emerged from an old Smiths basement storage room. Complete with cozy chairs, string lights, music posters, and music decor, the space is one of exploration for Lincoln, whose passion for guitar has bloomed into other musical realms. Still, the guitar is his main priority—as it should be! At such a young age, Lincoln has achieved so much with this hobby in such a short time. To quote the Beatles a final time, “there’s nothing you can do that can’t be done”—clearly, this rings true for Lincoln.