Three years ago, I was checking out guitars at one of the huge chain shops in Tokyo, and saw a guy shopping for a Strat. He was about my age and the Japanese man with him was doing his best to pull every high-end Fender Japan guitar off the wall.

I looked closer and realized it was Gerry, who has a signature model Strat made by F.J.



We struck up a conversation, and he was a great guy. Talked about Cajun music, Louisiana -- he had just moved back from Los Angeles -- and the lousy weather in both Tokyo and Beau Bridge.

The Ventures are popular with a small, older group of guys, who probably played guitar when they were young. They are an oldies act here, but have a strong following. The purity of their music appeals to Japanese sensibilities.