Then I came across something called the Original Pick-N-Glider and it really got my attention. Finally, a chair (with no arms) designed for pickers. Where have you been all my life? I've beat up so many instruments in my time, I don't even buy kindling anymore to start my winter fires.

The product looked interesting, so I decided to search out this Pick-N-Glider for myself and found it at a nearby bluegrass festival with its inventor Bert Christopher. I quickly learned that there was a whole lot more to this chair than just the missing arms that used to bash my Brazilian Beauty to bits.

A fellow picker, Bert was quick to point out his frustrations when looking for a decent chair to play in. "I was spending a lot of my spare time playing and found myself getting tired and sore. Conventional chairs and stools are not designed to play instruments in. There was nothing out there to suit my needs."

If you add up the amount of hours you play your instrument per week, it doesn't take long to realize that being comfortable during that time is very important.

"Our goals are threefold. To make a quality, attractive musician's chair at an affordable price. Quality is our first key to customer satisfaction."

I'll say. The Glider is a real beauty. Constructed of sold northern red oak, it's as sturdy as it is attractive. The cushions and upholstery are all first class. Its design is simple and yet it's a very functional piece of furniture.

"That was the test. Most guys will put anything in their house. But the real challenge is appealing to the ladies. Some husbands have told me their wives have taken the Glider away from them for their own use. I tell them not to worry. We'll make more."

It seems this Glider (not chair) can be used for a multitude of activities, including cross-stitching, gun cleaning, rocking babies, anything where you need to be sitting upright and with correct posture and don't need any encumbrances such as arms.

Most importantly, however, they are used to pick in: guitar, mandolin, banjo, dobro, fiddle -- you name it, you can play it in a Pick-N-Glider. Well, doghouse bass would be tough.

The trick is in the angle of the seat and the pitch of the base. You're sitting up in a correct playing posture yet angled back for comfort. But most importantly you can move!

"Most people don't realize that gliding is healthy! The body doesn't like to sit still for long periods of time. Gliding is good for your circulation and keeps you from getting tired. I have actually had physicians endorse this Glider."

As I soon found out, it's also good for your timing. While playing my guitar in the Glider I found myself moving along in perfect time with the music. It really is fun. "Gliding is completely different from rocking. The Glider is an even flow action that can be controlled. You can't control a rocker." I think that there's a bumper sticker in there somewhere.

From the looks of this crowd in Bert's booth, you won't be alone.