Almost Famous in NZ

My friend, Jon Tullis, Timberline Lodge Director of Public Affairs (recently retired). and my first Portland guitar student in the very early 1980’s, took some guitar lessons with me in my northeast Portland “studio”. My first album, “Whole World Round” had recently been released by Kicking Mule Records and Jon and I worked on the opening track, “Catfish John” by Bob McDill & Allen Reynolds.

Sometime after our meetings, Jon took off on one of his frequent adventures to New Zealand with his backpack and guitar in hand. Shortly after his return to Portland, Jon called and asked if we could meet for a catch up and a good story. Sure I did and here's what he told me.

While visiting Milford Sound Fjord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island, Jon spent some time at the remote Milford Lodge, where he entertained the guests with his guitar and songs in the evening by the fireside. One evening, after singing “Catfish John” the lodge owner, Ian Armstrong, reached under his counter and pulled out a copy of my album and asked Jon, “Do you know any other Steve Einhorn songs?”

I saved that postcard, hand-delivered by Jon all the way from the beautiful Milford Sound with this message from Ian.

“Steve,

Your music gets played a lot round here.”

- Ian Armstrong, Milford Lodge