Eric Henderson Plays 1st Live Laguna Beach Concert In Over A Year

LAGUNA BEACH, CA—Hometown guitar hero Eric Henderson plays his first live concert in more than a year on Saturday at the Women's Club in Laguna Beach. This "re-emerger" gig will feature selections from Henderson's album "Music for Guitar," Spanish composers and rock classics, in addition to his own compositions.

Henderson claims his greatest influences on the instrument are Spanish classical master Andres Segovia and Jimi Hendrix, which says a great deal about the range of his repertoire.

His fascination with the instrument began at age 4, when he remembers watching Ricky Nelson play at the end of the “Ozzie & Harriet Show.” Two years later, it became an obsession when the Beatles played on Ed Sullivan. At age 8, he was the lead guitarist in a high school band.

Henderson’s family moved to Laguna Beach in 1967 when he was age 9. By chance, his father found a teacher for his son in Laguna when he saw a guitar leaning against a wall at a Cub Scout meeting for Eric's brother.

That stroke of luck launched Henderson into an international career as a concert guitarist.

The leaning guitar belonged to Antonia Morales. “She was a flamenco dancer,” Eric says in a blogpost, “personal assistant and dance coach to such stars as Rita Hayworth and Tyrone Powers, who remained close friends of Antonia’s for the rest of their lives."

As most longtime Laguna residents know, the young prodigy had the astonishing opportunity to study with Segovia, thanks to Morales’ friendship with the famous Spanish concert guitarist.

Morales arranged for Henderson to meet the maestro, then acted as his guardian during the four years he studied with Segovia in Spain. Here are Henderson’s words on what she meant to him:

“Antonia was my mentor, my teacher, facilitator, and guardian. She taught me the foundations of technique and musicianship. Her knowledge and familiarity with Spanish culture and her intellect were profound. To this day I still find myself remembering and consequently applying insights and advice she gave me with such generosity and integrity that upon recalling these I have a sense of overwhelming gratefulness.”

The Hendersons were incredibly thrilled for their 13 year old, but they hadn’t the means to make the opportunity a reality. Until the city of Laguna Beach stepped in:

“The small town of Laguna Beach was a really supportive community for the arts,” Henderson says in a blogpost. “The Soroptimist Club, the Rotary Club and various successful business people of the town banded together with a humbling show of support and pride when they became aware of the possibility of my studying with Segovia in Madrid…. The plan that my parents and the town of Laguna Beach came up with was this: Once a year I would perform a recital for the purpose of raising funds and awareness of the financial assistance necessary to pay for my travel expenses (as well as Antonia’s for acting as my guardian), living expenses and costs of education and lessons for 9 to 10 months every year. The concert I provided was a way to show my progress and level of my performance abilities to the supporters and audience. It was a good way to be accountable…. The community of Laguna Beach was truly a wonderful extended family, in a sense.”

Henderson makes his home in Laguna Beach, and is ready to play once again for his extended family.