Just wanted to say hello :)

I always introduce myself on forums when I first join. My name is Tom and I'm age 16 from Liverpool, UK.
My story goes like this;
Feb 08 I woke up with a sudden urge to play guitar
Later that week I bought a Squier Strat, like most beginners.
Even though it was advised to me that I learn scales etc. I just really didn't want to. I also decided not to learn chords for the sake of knowing chords, I learnt all the chords I know from attempting to play other peoples songs.
I didn't bother to apply for music lessons in school because teachers don't really allow me any extra privileges (I am not exactly a model student). So I basically sat in my room most nights learning various songs. At the time I was an avid Rap/Hip-Hop listener but I had always allowed other music to slip into my iTunes library. I began getting more into guitar music.
I discovered the greats, mainly Jimi to be honest. Then one day, I was sat in my cousins house and he was strumming away at his strat next to me. He started pulling off some really nice sounding riffs and some quite bluesy licks. I asked him what he was playing and he told me John Mayer. It turned out I became this huge Mayer fan (hence the name).
The more Mayer I learned, the more I felt my guitar playing slip into blues. I soon realized thats where I felt comfortable and memories of hearing my dads old BB King CDs in the car flooded to me. Everyday i felt as if I was getting alot better.
For my birthday near the end of the year I got a new VOX amp and a Tubescreamer. And I realized how much guitar was becoming a big part of my life,  even after less than a year.
At christmas I decided i wanted a new guitar. On quite a tight budget I struggled. I'd always craved a Les Paul but I couldn't quite afford a Gibson, I did find models for like £450, but they where not where I wanted tone wise. I looked at SGs but they just where not suited to me. Then, I saw this guitar, it was a Fender but with humbuckers :S. I picked it up out of pure curiosity to see an F shape carved into its natural finish. It was a Fender Telecaster Thinline '72. I had to play it. As soon as i strummed that first chord (an A it was) I knew this guitar had potential. I got it.
For me its been able to achieve a sound comparable to a les paul while still allowing me to get a single coil like sound from the bridge, thus making it very versatile.

My love for guitars and playing led to me to sign up to the Fender & Gibson forums which is where I heard about Joe B. I checked him out on youtube and subsequently bought a few albums the next day.
I have been nothing but impressed by them and they are all I can play on my iPod ever since.
Its nice to see such a good community in support of him here.
Can't wait to maybe see him in the future!
Thanks
Tom