On March 22nd and 23rd the Carl Verheyen Band will play the Iridium in NYC. It’s more than just another stop on an east coast run—this room has a special place in my heart. It was here I saw Les Paul play about ten years ago and got to meet a living legend. He had a permanent residency at the club on Monday nights, right up until he passed away a few years ago.

It wasn’t the first time I'd met Lester, which was back in the '80s at another club called Fat Tuesday’s. But when we met again some 17 years later, he actually remembered me and said he’d been “hearing good things about me.” For a living legend like Les to even know you exist is something you don’t forget. I spent the entire evening at the Iridium floating on air!

Les Paul’s inventions have affected us all. From multi-track recording to the solidbody Gibson that bears his name, we have all been touched by his body of work in some way or another. I’m also a big fan of the recordings he made with Chet Atkins, and at one time I transcribed his solo on “Limehouse Blues.”

When I finally get on stage at the Iridium, it won’t be just another CVB concert on the tour. I’ll dedicate the night to Les Paul and play a few of his ripping licks with reverence and appreciation.
 

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