Happy New Year!!!

Well, 2010 is coming to a close and 2011 is fast approaching. I just want to wish everyone in the North Country a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! To my wife A, I love you more today than yesterday, but less than tomorrow! Thank your for a fantastic year and many more to come! I love you with all my heart and soul!

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Merry Christmas to all in the North Country!

Well, it is that time of year. The snow is falling the hustle and bustle of Christmas shoppers can be witnessed in everytown and in 24 hours from now people will be with their families preparing for the festivities of Christmas. I love this time of year when I am with A in our home relaxing and spending quality time as we celebrate the miracle of Christmas. I know that I am truly blessed to be married to such an incredible wife who supports my profession and also my passion for music. So, I want to wish everyone in the North Country a very Merry Christmas! To my beloved wife A, you are the best Christmas gift I could ever hope for. Your love and just everything about you makes every day Christmas for me! I love you!

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The making of Detroit

Every once in a while a song takes hold of you and really drives you to be better. Better as a writer, better as a musician and better as an engineer. Last night I had an amazing session at Indian River Studios working on "Detroit". I was amazed at how this song is taking shape and really challenging me as a musician and writer. What I originally heard in my head has translated into something much bigger than I thought it would be. of course, I have found some spots where the lyrics need some polishing but other than that this is a song I am really proud of and excited to finish.

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A new Song

In my last post I wrote about my experience in Detroit a week ago. Out of this has come a song which I can honestly say I am really proud of. I took it from the point of view of a man who moved there to make a better life for his family and now is scared of what the present has become and what the future might bring. The picture is of the old packard plant in Detroit. The picture has a special meaning for me because when I married A, she was chauffered to our wedding in a 1939 Packard Limo. I am going to go into the studio over the Christmas holiday and record this new song. Once it is done I will post it.

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Holiday Season

Well, it is official the holiday season is here. We are done shopping for our families and only have to finish up our shopping for each other. I am amazed at how this year we are done so early in the season. I was up in Detroit this week for work and could not help but feel the sadness of the once great Motor City. I thought of the great music that came from up there...everything from the Four Tops to Bob Seger. I felt this sense of sadness for people who live there and remember a once great city which is now but a shadow of its former self. It made me realize just how lucky I am to have the life I have with security and more important a wonderful loving wife and home. I hope that this season finds us thankful for what really matters in this life...our family.....the ones who we love and love us in turn. A, I am so thankful that you married me and that you are my home!
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Veteran's Day

Tomorrow is a day that finds its origins from the Armistice of World War I. Many people see it as just a day off from work and do not truly reflect in what the day is about. I would like to take the time to Thank all the veterans from past wars and present. As a two war veteran tomorrow will be a day of reflection and rememberance of men who fought before me, the men I have lead in combat and the men who never made it back. God Bless our Soldiers! To my wife A, I humbly thank God for you everyday for your gentle way and for your grace to accept all the difficult times which come with being an army wife! I love you!

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Album Name

Well, I have 15 songs..the majority of the guitar and bass tracks done, now is drum tracking for the album. I do have a name..."Ring Bell for Service" I have to give credit to my incredible wife A. She came up with the name the other night when we were talking about album names. So, hopefully within the next few months all the tracks/overdubs and mastering will be done and the album will be up on iTunes. Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
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Simple Gretsch Guitar maintenance stuff

The two guitar companies that I play and really love are Fender and Gretsch. Both have an incredible history for quality instruments that in my opinion defined popular music in a distinctive way by not only their sound but by their style. I have a Grestch 5120 Electromatic Hollowbody guitar that A got me for our 6th Anniversary. This guitar is an amazing instrument. I never had a hollowbody before so at first I was not sure about the set ups and maintenance so I was a little concerned. Well, as with all FMIC companies Gretsch has a fantastic web page with loads of information on it. So here it is for anyone who would like some top knotch help on how to maintain and set up your guitar!
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www.gretschguitars.com/resources/techtips.html

Computers, Software and upgrades

I will be the first to admit that I really love modern technology, be it online banking to recording on my laptop. I am amazed at what can be done in this digital age. I will also be the first to admit that computers and software updates or hardware transfers/upgrades etc baffle me. I spent the majority of today transfering files to an external hard drive and the remainder installing Windows 7 and MS office 2010. It took all and I mean all day....kind of made me realize how impatient we all have become with the technology. What would be several file cabinets full of paper is now a few files on the old hard drive....imagine how long it would take to copy that stuff...LOL So, I guess I will be more patient and really TRY to learn the mysteries of computers one of these days! Have a safe and wonderful weekend!
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Bell Tone

Last night I was down in my studio just rehearsing on my favorite Tele Brooklyn when I came to a realization. With the pick up selector in the middle position my Tele gives the most clear Bell like tone. I was able to go from a really great clean to a smooth overdrive tone. It could be that this was my first Tele and there is a special emotional attachment to it or maybe it is just that awesome. I also was just marveling at how clear the bridge pickup cuts through the mix. I have Strats too and they are sweet sounding, but nothing in the world sounds like a Tele. There is just something about a Tele which just gets into you and never lets you go! I equate it to my wife...I knew the minute I saw here she was the one for me! Thanks heavens I found both of my number ones!!!:)
I love you A

Recording Studio Frustration

Yesterday I spent the majority of the day in Indian River Studios South. I was recording a song I wrote for my wonderful wife A. I was a little frustrated because I just couldn't seem to get the lead guitar right where I wanted it. I had all the rhythm guitar parts down cold on the first take. The same with the bass guitar parts. But for some reason the leads were not coming out as I wanted them to. I would do one take and then add another track and another until I had somewhere in the neighbor hood of 12 different takes. That is the one joy of digital recording...you can add unlimited tracks and never lose a take. Hopefully on Thursday evening when I am back in the studio I will get this song finally done. On a high note the Trans Atlantic recording I have been doing with Buckfast at Tiffany's is done and on the way to Belfast for Kevin and Sean to finish up.
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Tribute to the Heroes

I still can see the day as if it was yesterday. I was in my office at Stratton AFB when the reports of the planes hitting the twin towers was reported. Moments later my commander LTC C called and asked me how quickly I could have my Cavalry Troop assembled and ready to move to lower Manhattan. Now it is 9 years later. In that time we deployed to Iraq and fought in the Sunni Triangle and have all come home to be back with our families. But, there are the brave souls of the NYPD and FDNY who did not make it out of that day. I would work closely for over a year with those fine organizations as I helped with the security of the bridges, tunnels and train stations of NYC. It was an honor to serve with such fine people. For the brave souls who did not make it back I bow my head and offer up a prayer for you and your families. For you are all truly Heroes!
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Multi Effects Processors

I have always been the type of player who never used a lot of effects. Some Reverb a little Chorus and life was great. Well, I have a beautiful Digitech RP 355 and have been fooling around with making up my own user presets. I have to admit, having the ability to string together several effects into one preset and then putting them in the order I want for when I play and record is a really great feature. Today I was playing around with my favorite effects and came up with two new presets to cover the majority of my playing style. I have them right next to each other so now when I want to solo I just toggle up and when I want to go to rhythm I just toggle back down. This is so awesome, I no longer have to waste time switching on and off several different stomp boxes! I really love advances in gear!
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Caring for a Legacy

The reason why I play guitar is because of my brother Bill. When we were kids growing up he was my hero. Bill was popular, funny, smart, an exceptional athlete and a great musician. I always wanted my brother to think I was cool so I could hang out with him and his friends. As things would have it when I was 13 my brother bought a beautiful Ventura D30 Acoustic guitar. I remember up in our room he would work away at learning chords and playing that guitar until his hands cramped up. I was not allowed to touch it...that was Bill's pride and joy. The way I learned to play was when he would go off to work his job at the local pizza place. I would sit in our room and work as hard as I could to learn a song. The song I learned was "New Kid in Town" by the Eagles. One day Bill and a few of his friends were hanging out at our place and Bill was hacking away on his guitar when one of them said why don't you let E play. Well Bill said I couldn't play and that was that. here, finally is my opportunity to be cool so I said, "Yes, I can play" So Bill being the good egg he was handed me his guitar. I break into New Kid in Town and jaws drop. Well, as the years go by, Bill moves out to the west coast and I got involved in a few bands a couple did really well and in one I did some touring having a blast as I was growing up. Well, I joined the Army and got to see the world and found the niche I was always meant to be in. Music never really left my life. I still would noodle every now and then. One terrible October night I got a call that my brother had been killed in a car accident. Bill's fiancée Linda had the terrible task of getting all of Bill's stuff to us. She called me and said that Bill wanted me to have his guitar. I was floored. I know how much this guitar meant to him. Linda explained how impressed Bill was that night when we were kids and I played for him and his friends. She said that he felt I should have this to remember him by. Now, This guitar is old, has been around the world and needs to be refinished. As a tribute to the legacy of my brother I am going to do this myself to ensure that the job is done right. I will post pics once the job is done.

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The Joy of a Quality Guitar

Yesterday was a great day for many reasons. First I got to spend a relaxing day with my gorgeous wife A. Second I got to tie up a bunch of loose ends before my surgery this Tuesday and last but not least I go to do some amp comparisons for my next purchase. I already have some really incredible amps a Fender Champion 600,  a Fender Super Champ XD and a Fender M80 Bass combo. I went in and was looking at several different amps. The Fender Bassman 59, the Fender Blues Jr, the Fender Deluxe VM and a Peavey Classic 30. I am a huge Fender man and the first to admit it, but I was impressed with the Peavey. Fantastic sound and build. I took my favorite Tele my 2009 Honey Blonde Highway 1 Telecaster because it is just such a fantastic guitar. From the incredible ALNICO V pickups to the nitro finish this is one amazing guitar. Well, I was truly amazed at how great it sounded in the Peavey...but when I plugged into the Fender amps, I was blown away! I will be honest, I was totally drawn in by the Deluxe VM. My Tele just shines through that amp! Now alot of finding tone is in the amp the other huge part is the guitar. My Tele is just an amazing guitar. I did some minor adjustments on it based on my style and taste but Fender really hit the ball out of the park with this one!! So it is easy to play when you have a quality guitar! Play on!
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Some serious down time

Well, on August 3rd, I will be going under the knife to get my shoulder and bicep repaired. The Doctor said that I will have my right arm strapped across my chest for 8 weeks. So, I am sure that not being able to play will give me more time to write and to heal up. Lately I have been putting a lot of playing time on my new Strat Olympic. I must say it is an amazing guitar and feels more like a custom shop guitar than a mass produced guitar. The action is low the neck plays like butter and the sound is absolutely gorgeous. I will admit, I am missing my Teles and will have to put some time on them prior to the surgery. Hope everyone had a great weekend and has a better week!
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Olympic has arrived!

Well, yesterday the little brown truck arrived with my new guitar. It is a 2010 Fender Standard Strat in Lake Placid Blue. Being from upstate and planning on retiring not too far from Lake Placid the name Olympic seemed fitting! Thanks A for this gorgeous work of art!
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NGD (New Guitar Day)

I must admit, I am a guitar addict! To make matters worse...my Awesome wife A lets me be one, heck she even encourages me to be one LOL. Tomorrow the latest addition to my collection will arrive. It is a 2010 Fender Stratocaster in Lake Placid Blue. I chose a Maple neck and standard single coil pickups. I am now able to cover  every possible sound I want with my collection!! Thanks A! You are awesome!
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Farewell to my Little Friend!

This week was a very difficult week. Our beloved cat Patch had a stroke and we had to put him to sleep. many folks say well, he was a cat what is the big deal? I have to sit back and think about what  they mean before I reply. I then say, he was more than just a cat. Patch was in many ways like a son, a best friend and a buddy. He was originally my wife's cat for 7 years before I came into the picture. He was A's protector, friend and warming blanket :) When I came into the picture, he basically chose me to be A's man. From the moment I first laid eyes on him I fell in love with this little guy. He had one eye, he was skittish around strangers and he would hide under the couch until he got to know you. Not long after A and I were dating I had to have surgery on my elbow. Well, as I was recovering at A's place old Patch would climb up on the couch and ever so gently lay down with me so as not to disturb me or hurt me. If I was feeling pain he would give me little kisses and a sweet meow to let me know he was trying to make me feel better. There are so many memories I have with him that I could write a book. I just feel very blessed to have been a part of his life and to have been loved by this sweet little guy. We were with him to the very end at the Vet's. It was such a painful thing yet it was beautiful for him to have us with him knowing we were there as he slipped on to a better place. He knew he was loved and will be sorely missed. So to my little guy , Patch, we miss you and love you. You made us all better cats! The world is a little colder with out you here my little Patchie boy!
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Challenges of Trans-Atlantic Recording

I have to admit, I am very blessed to have my own studio in which I can write and record just about anything that I want. Two friends of mine are in Belfast Ireland in a fantastic band called Buckfast at Tiffany's and I am working with them recording a song called  "All Along Alone". I am recording a bass line for them and then sending it back across the Atlantic to them. One of the issues that we have run into is the nut on my Bass cracking and me having to make a new one. Now, that has put our recording schedule back a few days. Then add to this the delay in knowing if the bass line is good or not...LOL can make for some interesting times ahead. I won't post the finished product here because it would not be fair to my friends Kevin and Sean who wrote the song. However, once it is on iTunes I will let everyone know.
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New Addition to the Guitar Family

Well, as all of you know I am very lucky to be married to my wonderful wife A. She has been not only my wife,lover, buddy and best friend. A, has been my biggest supporter in any and everything that I do. For our 6th Anniversary A bought me a beautiful 2010 Gretsch G5120 Electromatic Hollow body Guitar! Being a dyed in the wool Fender guy, I didn't feel guilty because Gretsch is under the FMIC family. Let me tell you this guitar is tonal heaven. It plays like butter! The action is so very easy and the neck is fast and silky smooth! I must say, I am having a fantastic time playing her. The sound of a Gretsch is amazing. The lows are sweet and resonant and the highs are bell like almost angelic. When I plug her in...wow!!! Even sweeter! I am so very lucky to have a wife who loves me so much and encourages me to pursue my music in the way I wish. Thank you A. I so love you!!
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Six Years of Wedded Bliss

It is amazing how fast time goes by. Six years ago on the 23rd of April my gorgeous wife said I do. I am such a lucky man to be married to a woman who is always there and encourages me in everything that I do. I just want to thank you A, for being the most wonderful friend, wife and soul mate that a man could ever hope for! You are my dream come true and I adore you now and forever! I love you!
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You Have Got to Love Fender Amps!

As many of you know A spoils me all the time. Well, today I was talking with my sales engineer at Sweetwater and he told me that the Fender Champion 600 is on back order until July. He recommended doing a pre-order to ensure I get one and not have to wait. Well, A was like Oh yes, this is your Anniversary present (Our Anniversary is this Friday April 23rd) So now I am  totally excited for this amp. I am a dedicated Fender guy and I love their amps as much as their guitars! This little gem is the perfect recording amp! Several of my friends in the music business have them and are using them exclusively in the studio! I can't wait to get her and fire her up! This will be the amp I record on and my Super Champ XD will be the gigging amp. Nothing in the world like Fender Tube Tone! Thank you A!! You are an incredible wife and the last 6 years of marriage have been the best years of my life because of you!
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A new tool in the musical tool box

Well, today my Boss ME 20 arrived. I must say, I am really happy with this unit. Boss pedals have always been one of my favorite brands. I still have a lot to learn about this unit but so far I really love the different tones I am able to get from it! As always this is a gift from my awesome wife A! I was having fun setting up my own user preset chain effects. I was able to set up a really nice chain of blues overdrive with chorus and a slight bit of delay. Wow, what a sweet tone I got from that!! I will give a more detailed report this weekend after I have had a chance to really dig in!
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A day in the studio with the Politician

Well, it has been a while since I have been able to go into the studio and record. Yesterday I was able to get into Indian River Studios south and lay down the drums, Rhythm guitar and bass tracks to a new song I wrote called "Politician". I must admit, I was a little nervous getting plugged in and set to record. Once the red light went on it was purely magical. I have never had such a flawless and fun time in the studio. It is one thing when you are in a band and have a producer to coax you along. When you are doing it totally solo and have to be the whole band and producer it tends add some pressure. I have found that I am able to control the whole process of recording this album and also it is really nice to not have the drama of being in a band! I am not against being in a band by any-means, I do enjoy the ability to have the songs I think they should be with out having to argue about it. Well, enough of that. I am just really happy with the results. More to follow!
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The Pain is Over!!!

Well, yesterday was the end of the most painfully boring course I have had to ever take in college! In a worst case scenario I will finish with a low 90s average for the course. I can only say that I am so glad this course is done and I can move on to the stuff I enjoy. The best part is I can now put more time into my blog and into recording. I have had to pretty much lay off of those things since this class started back in February. This weekend is a long weekend so I know I will be at Indian River Studio South to lay down some tracks to a new song that I wrote. I will keep you all posted!
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The Joys of Higher Education??

I have to admit, lately I have not been on here writing as much as I would like to. I have been inundated with work for a Masters in Transnational Security matters. Well, I will be honest, it was not my first choice but what the Army said I should do. After this class I am saying no way! I am doing what I want an MA in Military History with a concentration on World War II. So, in 2 weeks this class will be over and I can breathe a sigh of relief. This has been the most boring tiresome class I have ever had to take. So, now I will be able to apply more time here on general music stuff and not so overwhelmed with school work.
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New Mandolin Day!!!

Well, as you all know I have an obsession with stringed instruments. Yesterday, A, and I were  looking at the Musician's Friend Stupid Deal of the day and low and behold they had Mandolins for a ridiculous price. So, A says why don't you get it? I was so excited! I have always wanted a Mandolin and now I finally have one. It is a Rogue A style with an oval sound hole in a beautiful sunburst finish. It will arrive on Friday and I will give a full review this weekend. Hope everyone had a great day and an even better tomorrow!
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Guitar Workshop

I am always amazed at how setting up and maintaining a guitar seems like a huge mystery until you actually do it. I remember how I used to be afraid of doing anything other than changing strings on my guitars. Now, I am at the level where I can take them apart and do any work I need to and reassemble them. Today was no exception. I noticed that my awesome Highway 1 Tele's action was sort of high. I am really lucky because A pretty much lets me get whatever gear I want and she also listens to what I talk about and she then goes out and spoils me by getting these items for me. One of the things that A got me for my birthday was a string action guage by Stewart MacDonald. I felt it was time to show A how to do a set up! She was a great sport. It was exciting because she was asking questions and showing a genuine interest! Well, a long story short I now have a well set up Tele. Thanks A for watching and making it fun!

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North Country

It is amazing how and where inspiration comes for a song. The last couple of days I have been just noodling around on my Telecoustic and out of this came a new song which I will be recording in the next couple days. After kicking around with song titles my wife said why don't you call it North Country. I am blessed because I am married to such an incredible woman and inspiration is never hard to find!So in honor of  my wonderful wife and the area we love to call home "North Country" is going to be recorded. It is an instrumental acoustic song so I am really looking forward to laying down the tracks! Once I have it recorded and mixed I will post it here. I hope everyone has a great President's Day tomorrow!
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Different type of session

Lately I have been sequestering myself in the studio to record. I was having some serious challenges with timing and overall quality of my playing. I came up with a new technique. I started out by plugging my ipod into the board and warming up playing songs I used to cover in my band in college. It may sound silly but having the luxury of owning my own studio I am able to do this and not have to pay excessive studio fees. By doing this I have found that I am much more relaxed once the red light is on and the tape is rolling...(well digital signal)..LOL This has helped me a whole bunch for my timing and my playing is spot on.

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Mic Techniques

This is the first in a series of articles to help with mic techniques for your recording. This is just one of many different techniques and can be done anywhere and with any type of mic. Some of the other equipment for example the baffles can be made with blankets and any material that absorbs sound. The basics are like this. Mic one is a typical dynamic mis it could be a Sure SM 57 or 58. I generally place this about 48" from the amp and about 50"above floor height and pointed down at an angle towards the amp. Both mics are great solid mics for any purpose recording. Mic 2 I prefer to use a Condenser mic usually spaced about 18-36" from the front of the amp. The Condenser mic which I currently use and really love is the MXL 990. This mic is reasonably priced and has a fantastic response. Mic 3 another Dynamic mic (SM 57 or 58) depending on the room size I like to place it about 36" from the wall. This picks up a really nice slapback reverb from the room. The Baffles are just to add some deadness to the room. This is personal taste. If you like a really live room then omit the baffles Again, this is just a technique and the distances and mics are all dependent on what you have and your room. Have fun experiment and good recording.
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Fender Telecoustic Review

Yesterday my new Fender Telecoustic arrived.  I was more than plesantly surprised as I unpacked it from the box. The guitar is an Acoustic-Electric. The top is made of spruce and has really great bracing. The sides and back are fiberglass. The neck is a bolt on Telecaster neck with Rosewood fingerboard. The tuners are standard tuners. There is a nice little electronics set up of a BG3N pre amp with Tuner built in. This is one incredible guitar. I chose the Black finish with white binding. This is a very loud guitar when unplugged. It has a nice acoustic balance. Not over powering and not weak! When finger picked this guitar has some absolutely beautiful tones. With a pick this is a really nice strong toned guitar. I played unplugged for a good while and then plugged into both my amp a Fender Super Champ XD and then into the board of my recording studio with no effects added. Plugged in I felt like I was playing one of Glenn Frey of the Eagles guitars. I was absolutely amazed at how gorgeous this guitar sounds! The neck is fast which I truly enjoy and the action is perfect for my style of play. I have heard some folks say that this is a head stock heavy guitar but mine seems to be perfectly balanced. This may have been solved in the new design. The only issue that I see which is really no big deal are the strap buttons. They are a little small but a few Grolsch rubber washers will solve any issues that might arise. I was extremely excited to see that this fit into an extra Fender Deluxe gig bag that I have. The verdict 5 stars out of 5. Fender has made an incredibly nice guitar for the budget conscious person. In my case it is for a guy who is more of an Electric player than an acoustic guy. This guitar is fun to play and sounds great! I can see many hours playing this up in our beloved North Country!

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Some direction changes

I have decided to make some changes to my blog. I am going to start posting some weekly articles on such topics as Recording/mic techniques to live sound reinforcement. This might help some folks and then again it might not. With each post I will have diagrams to assist in some of the techniques. On another note, I will be starting my luthier certification so when I retire back home to the North Country in 6 years there will be a reasonable place to get gear fixed AND teach folks how to do basic guitar maintenance. That said, the first article which I will publish will be on Monday's blog. It will cover close in miking of smaller tube amps in the studios to get different ambient sounds from several different mics.
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Great Birthday!

I have been off the net the last week because we had my parents down and to celebrate my birthday. It was a really nice time and A totally spoiled me. She gave me a beautiful Gator Pedal Tote that I have wanted for some time and a case for my Boss BR1200CDR case to cover my Studio and a Stewart MacDonald String Action Gauge for doing my set ups. Needless to say I was really really excited because I am able to keep my pedals all nice and clean and protected. I am also able to do accurate setups on my guitars with this new gauge. I am always touched because A is so thoughtful about the gifts she gives me. Today in her class she was talking with her professor and she was telling her because I am so good to her she has no problem supporting my "guitar habit"...LOL She is an incredible lady and I am a very lucky man! I love you A!!!
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The Twang Factor

I have always thought that Teles were a really cool guitar. The only problem is that in my younger days they were not considered cool guitars. The bands I played in back in the 80s(Yes, I am dating myself) all had Jacksons, Hamers,ESP and LPs. I was a Strat man and then one day in the not so distant past I became a Teleman. There is just something so elegant about the design of a Tele the simplicity of design, clean lines that makes this one sweet guitar. The big thing that really makes me love my Teles is what I call the Twang Factor. I have found that depending on my mood the more I fiddle around with the tone knob the more intrigued I am. My Strat is a wonderful guitar, but it quacks..it sounds great but in many ways it blends into the  mix..not bad...but then again not good. My Tele, now that is a whole different story. I love to slowly creep up the tone knob a little bit at a time and before you know it...the Twang factor hits. What is the Twang Factor? It is that gorgeous distinctive tone that only a Tele can make!
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Great Sessions

There is nothing in the world like having a great recording session. Tonight I was down at Indian River South Studio and laying down the tracks to a song that I wrote years ago but never got around to recording.  I got all the drums recorded, the bass line down on the first take and two guitar parts down. i was really pleased because I got the perfect rhythm tones from both my Tele and Strat, which gave this song such beautiful depth. When I came out of the studio and got settled in with my wife she knew that I had a really great session. It is strange recording an album solo and not having bandmates to share a good night like this with. On the other hand, there is a sense of pride knowing that I wrote and created this song all by myself. It is a pure joy to be able to create something and then see it to fruition. I just have to lay down the vocals and the lead guitars and then it is final mix and I will be even happier.
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Acoustic Guitars

I have primarily been an electric guitar player my whole life. My brother was responsible for getting me into guitars. He bought a beautiful Ventura dreadnought D30 back in 1978. That is the guitar I learned to play on. When he graduated from school and went off to make his way in the world he took his beautiful guitar and that was when I turned to electrics. Well the years went by and in 1991 my brother was killed in a car accident. His fiancee Linda gave me his beautiful guitar. I have been carefully preserving this guitar and have not played it much because I am so afraid of ruining the only thing I have of my brothers. Recently my gorgeous wife A, said I could get any guitar that I want. At first I was thinking of getting a Stratocaster. But, seeing how I already have one and how I am really a Tele man, I opted not to get one. I have instead decided to get a Fender Telecoustic guitar. It is a sweet little gem with a spruce top a Tele neck and a nice set of onboard electronics so it is an acoustic/electric guitar. I am looking forward to getting this beautiful guitar and now being able to take my music anywhere in the Dacks. Thanks A, for being so awesome and letting me live the dream with you!
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The Forgotten Art of Customer Service

I have always been a firm believer of the old addage you get what you pay for. In this day and age of internet sales and big box stores it is really great when a company which is rather large goes out of their way to ensure accuracy and superior customer service. I deal with a few companies on line for the majority of my musical gear due to our current location (no music stores around). The company that I deal with the most is American Musical Supply . AMS has always gone above and beyond when I have dealt with them. Today is a perfect example. I placed an order with them back in October and received a price match of 20% off and Fender product. I made my order and all was well with the world. Today, I noticed that the 20% was never taken off of my order. As if they were reading my mind, I get a call from AMS customer service and what do they say? We are sorry that we did not take the 20% off. We have refunded that amount to your credit card and you will receive an additional 20% off of any guitar on your next order. This is why I love this company. They didn't have to do this! I would have been happy with the money that is being refunded. This is a fantastic company and I can't give them enough praise! Thanks AMS!!!

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Appreciating the gift of playing

I have always been a musical person. From the time I could grasp the theory of an instrument to this day I have always loved music. I recently injured my shoulder and have been put into the position of not being able to play for a while. It really gives you a new perspective on what a true gift it is to be able to play. While my shoulder mends I will work on the vocals for my recording that I have done so far. It is not the way I envisioned recording my album...I like to lay down everything then finish up with vocals but now a new method. I just hope that everyone out there in the North Country really appreciates this wonderful gift we all have.
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Happy New Year!

Well, it is now officially 2010. I just want to wish everyone out there in the North Country a very Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! May your Teles sound even better than last year!
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