Not only could VH1 actors  be rude and obnoxious , movie actors who pay a visit to music row with their staff can try a salesman patients as well. `Ethan Hawk one of the newer stars of the silver screen showed up a couple of years ago. He had his personal assistant with him. One of the new sales guys was absolutely thrilled to be working with the famous Ethan Hawke.  (You never know who might walk in the front door on famous west 48th street)  I kept and eye over the sale. Ethan kept looking at the beautiful Taylor acoustic guitars hanging on the display wall.  Every time he seemed interested in a guitar. his assistant would jump in and grab it and strum a chord or two and tell my salesman what is wrong with the instrument. Finally I sensed I was needed to help close this sale. I walked up and introduced my self.  Every time I asked Ethan a question his assistant would answer and Ethan would stand there and not say a word. It was very strange.

Finally after Ethan chose a guitar, his assistant explained to me he thought the ‘Low E’ string did not sound right. “No problem ’, I explained to them.  “I have a guitar repair man on the premises working upstairs, he will be happy to set up the guitar for you.”   I brought the guitar upstairs to the repair area and just as I thought the repairman told me the guitar was in perfect playing and sounding condition.

I brought the guitar back down to Ethan and his assistant and after a few quick chords the assistant nodded to Ethan that he was satisfied and were on their way. (or  so I thought)  I few days later Ethan’s assistant shows up again at the store with the guitar. He explained to me that this time he is sure the treble strings do not sound ‘balanced’. I looked at him with a bewildered roll of my eyes and said, “No problem, I will bring it up to the repair guy to have it adjusted.”  Upstairs I went to the repairman and of course the guitar once again checked out fine.

Wouldn’t you know it but a few weeks later Ethan’s assistant arrived again with yet another complaint. I suggested that I would be happy to just exchange the guitar for another. The assistant   said he wanted only that guitar and please adjust the neck once again. Upstairs I went with the beautiful Taylor in my hand, and yes once again after the repairman and I inspected every inch of the guitar, it was in perfect playing and sounding condition!  I headed back down to the sales area and announced to Ethan’s  Hawke’s assistant, “here it is all set up, it plays like a dream!”  After a few strums and a few single notes the assistant again happily left the store with the guitar. About a month later who do I see in the back of the store? Yes Ethan Hawke and this time he was by himself. I just had to approach him and ask him how he liked his Taylor guitar. “Hi Ethan remember me?”  “I am Steve, I gave you a hand with your Taylor acoustic guitar. I was wondering how do you like it?”  “It sounds great thank you,” he replied.  “By the way”, I continued.  “Where is your assistant today?” “Oh him, I fired that asshole last week!”