A few years ago, three tall black men entered 29th Street Guitars on the west side of Manhattan. One of these men began playing the steel guitars at the back of the shop, tearing them up with the power and conviction that should be the envy of any musician. After the three men left, one of the clerks announced that the visitors were in some gospel band from down south. The others managed a couple of self-important chuckles. Then one asked if they'd bought anything.
"They bought two Sparkle Drives."
"Sparkle Drives?" asked one of the clerks, obviously stunned that the mysterious visitors from down south had purchased, of all things, overdrive pedals. "For gospel?"