Reunion Blues Backstage Banter

The Reunion Blues Blog

Yearly Archives: 2008

Reunion Blues Vintage Guitars Road Show – Part 3

Have you seen the videos? Check out Part 3, also posted for your viewing pleasure on the Premier Guitar Magazine web site.

In the third segment of Reunion Blues’ Vintage Guitars Road Show, the show hits up Bananas at Large in California. Highlights include:

  • A very rough ’69 Jazz Bass with so many modifications – including removal of the binding, and the owner’s name and SSN etched into the hardware – the appraisers get a little upset. Still, the bass’ value will surprise you.
  • The single prototype of Fender’s Gold Custom Shop Strat. There was a limited run of 100, which was commissioned for NAMM’s 100th anniversary in 2001.
  • Near-perfect 1961 SG-style Les Paul Jr.

"Passion" and the New Economy

It’s safe to say that the Economy is on everyone’s mind these days. Money is getting tight, credit is getting tighter, and everyone from CEOs to the lowliest mailroom employee are looking for ways to cut back and save money.

Music is something that transcends the economic situation because for most of us, it’s not just another item to be “consumed”. We eat, drink, sleep, breathe, and swim in it. Music makes our lives richer, it fulfills our need to create, and for most of us it’s a big part of who we are as human beings. It is Passion.

So I guess I’m curious. How is the new economy affecting your musical life? Are you finding it necessary to scale down, or are there certain things you can’t live without despite the economic situation?

Rickey Minor… My kind of music hero.

I’ve added a new music hero to my short list. His name is Rickey Minor… and because he’s a long-time Reunion Blues endorser, I’m going to shamelessly plug this guy and his great work.

rickyminor2

Through the years, my heros have included John Lennon, Stevie Ray, Bonnie Rait, Jeff Beck, Harry Nilsson, Billy Joel and Keb Mo… all great fronline personalities. Rickey Minor is not known as a front man. Instead, Rickey has proven himself to be one of the most versatile music directors in the music business. He’s collaborated with Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Celine Dion, and Sting. He’s produced music for the GRAMMY Awards, American Idol, the MTV Movie Awards, HBO... Most recently, he produced the music for Super Bowl XXXVI with the Boston Pops. He’s also one hellova bass player. – Check out his web site at www.RickeyMinor.com

A touring band guide created by touring bands!

It’s been years since I played music on the road but the memories linger, with the good stuff being the performances, and the less than good being the hassles of getting from one gig to the next.

Let’s face it. Planning a tour can be a daunting task. Unless your name is Eric Clapton or Britney Spears, you or some other member of your band is strapped with picking the right venue, negotiating with the booking personnel, finding hotels, arranging transportation, food, gas, insurance… Nowhere near as fun as just plugging in and rocking a crowd.

Going on tour is the ultimate road trip experience for a band, and we want to help you get on your way. Presenting The Reunion Blues Touring Band’s Guide.

Don't look back. Hit the road and rock on!
Reunion Rearview

Help your fellow musicians out there on that road.

We are starting with 16 premier US cities that you can add to. Submit your favorite clubs, hang outs, diners, and hotels; either local or ones you have come across in your travels and we will feature you and your band in return. Be sure to include a brief description of the place and why you like it. Include your website or MySpace page for us to grab photos and link to your music on the tour guide.

If you have any crazy stories, tell us and we will feature them in the Backstage Lounge section of each city page. The Touring Band’s Guide is what you want it to be, so don’t hold back. We will be rolling out new features soon, and we will make the announcements here. Happy travels!

"May The Strap Be With You"

So last weekend I was playing my friends Danelectro and I got to finally use one our new Merino Wool guitar straps. From what I have been told by both Brett and Dave, these Merino Wool straps have been selling like hot cakes.  (What are hot cakes anyway?)

Playing my friends Danelectro
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Playing my friends Danelectro

After playing last weekend with the strap I totally understand why these are flying off the shelves. Honestly, it was the most comfortable strap that I have ever used. Don’t let the Merino Wool thing get to you either, they’re not itchy. The full genuine leather tabs on either end also means you don’t have to worry about your heavy guitar tearing through it.

Right now these straps are only available in black, brown, and white pinstripe. However, Dave and I have just recently come up with new designs that should pique your interest even more. We got some samples of these in and they look awesome. Lets just say that after Winter NAMM in January your strap collection is going to have some attitude added to it.
All right, time for me to get back to work (if I must, sigh). In the mean time happy playing and happy holidays.

RB – The "Holy Grail" of Gig Bags?

The first ever Reunion Blues Vintage Guitar Road Show took place at Bananas Music in San Rafael last month, and Team RB was there.

Part of the fun was setting up a display featuring our new Designer Series guitar and percussion bags, right above the table where customers registered to have their instruments appraised, free of charge, all day long.

RB Exhibit at the first-ever Vintage Guitars Road Show
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RB Exhibit at the first-ever Vintage Guitars Road Show

During this event, I was struck by the expressions on their faces as they salivated over these new designer colors. It was then I realized how only the Reunion Blues gig bag can have the same effect on a guitar junkie as the instrument it protects. Sure, a ’59 Mary Kay makes ‘em crazier, but I wish you could have seen some of these guys gawking at the Nutmeg bass bag with the Chestnut brown leather trim, like they found another holy grail. It does a body good.

Alan Poster, John Maher, Rob Williams, Brett "Guitar Face" paley, Andy "Heavybag" Justin
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Alan Poster, John Maher, Rob Williams, Brett "Guitar Face" Paley, Andy "Heabybag" Justin

The next RB Vintage Guitars Road Show is scheduled for this Saturday (tomorrow) at Guitar Showcase in San Jose. Videos from last month’s Bananas Road Show can be seen on the Reunion Blues MySpace page and on the Premier Guitar magazine web site, co-sponsor of the event.

I’m heading for San Jose in the morning, so stay tuned for news from the Guitar Showcase RB Road Show, coming soon.

 

- JM!

Busking the Santa Arrival

Pushed the piano down to Western Avenue & Petaluma Blvd. last Saturday and donned the traditional Santa hat for the annual arrival of the Clause by boat at the river turn around. Tens of hundreds of parents and kids swarmed the downtown area while Petalume Pete wailed on ragtime versions of Jingle Bells, Rudolph and, yes, even Silent Night with a swing beat. The tip jar overfloweth. Later discovered the event was captured and blogged by a Petaluma Citizen, who provided the reader with the attached photo.

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Started wearing the gloves on colder days. Now I can’t play without ‘em!

I also discovered something all buskers can use. It’s the employment of a “remote” tip jar, because some people are reluctant to approach you with money, but are happy to pop their bucks in a jar that is at a safe distance about 20 feet away. I made a very secure remote tip jar that I will share with you soon. Do you have any tip garnering ideas you can share with our fellow buskers?

Of Chinese Democracy, The Dream, The Answer & AC/DC

 

So as you probably know there is an awful lot of hullabaloo on the webbernet and elsewhere these days about the long-awaited, much-anticipated,  ridiculously-delayed release of Chinese Democracy, the not-so-new Album from Guns & Roses or NU GNR or The Axl Rose Solo Band or whatever you prefer to call them.  Most of the reviews that I’ve read have been positive and I like what little I’ve heard so far.  Axl’s voice sounds good (well sounds like Axl anyway), the riffs groove and the songs rock. There’s a touch of an industrial sound here and there and the lead guitars, while stinging and soaring in their own right, are much different from Slash’s bluesy burning which I miss.  Other than that some of the material could almost be Use Your Illusion era Guns with Axl attempting his best Freddie Mercury ala November Rain.  I’m sure it will sell by the boatload and I’ll probably find it in my Christmas stocking! One certainty is that the live show, with Reunion Blues endorser Richard Fortus (also of Psychedelic Furs fame) laying it down on rhythm guitar amid the musical maelstrom of Axl, Dizzy, Richie, Bumblefoot, Frank, Chris, Tommy and possibly even Buckethead???, will be a spectacle worth beholding.  www.myspace.com/gunsnroses

Richie Rockin' out
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Richie Rockin

 

On a less grand scale but no less important, I’d also like to briefly mention another new release by yet another Reunion Blues endorser, a local boy and personal friend Josh Ramos.  The CD is called The Dream and it’s a collaboration between Josh and Hugo Valenti. Some of you may remember Josh from his time in The Storm which featured former members of Journey and Santana including Gregg Rolie, Steve Smith and Ross Valory and also the SoCal based hard rock outfit Hardline.  Hugo started out fronting Valentine which later became Open Skyz but might be best known for fronting Evolution, the pre-eminent East Coast Journey tribute act.  So as you might have guessed buy now, The Dream bears a strong resemblance to Journey in many aspects, but all in a positive way.  It’s the best collection of Journey songs from a band not named Journey that you’ll ever hear. The songwriting and arrangements on this album are rock solid and memorable and Hugo is a terrific singer with great range and passion. But the highlight of this cd is Josh’s playing. He really rips it up all over the disc with ferocity, feeling and an innate sense of melody not many possess.  The Dream is being released primarily in Europe so it might be a bit hard to find but for fans of outstanding melodic rock guitar playing it’s well worth seeking out. www.myspace.com/ramoshugo

Josh Jammin
josh-jammin

Josh Jammin

Brett’s Music Bag: You’ve also got to check out The Answer www.myspace.com/theanswerrock. These bad boys from Northern Ireland are really bringing it hard the wayyy old school way. I’ve had their initial release Rise for close to a couple of years now after hearing about them in Classic Rock Magazine.  Anyone who caught them on The Late Show with David Letterman recently knows exactly what I’m talking about. The singer Cormac Neeson reminds me of a heavier, more aggressive Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes and the guitarist Paul Mahon is pure Gibson/Marshall hard rock glory.  Catch The Answer  live in concert opening for AC/DC on their Black Ice world tour. Never toolate indeed…    

The Answer Rocks
the-answer-rocks

The Answer Rocks

 Speaking of AC/DC, kudos to the Brothers Young & Co.  whose Black Ice recently went #1 in 29 countries, shifting 1.5 million units in the first two weeks of release in the US alone and over 5 million copies sold worldwide so far. Brings a tear to a crusty old rocker’s eye. Good on ya mates! www.myspace.com/acdcDistinguished Gentlemen

Free Voodoo Daddy & Asleep at Wheel Autographed Bags

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Asleep at the Wheel
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Asleep at the Wheel
Remember the Swing craze of the mid 90′s? In an era of grunge rock, it was a rare offering and adoption from a sub-culture of a sub-culture. (Say that two times fast!)

In ’98, I was working for NAMM (International Music Products Association) and put in charge of hiring the bands for the convention. We were incredibly lucky to be able to book a new jazz swing group by the name of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, along with the King of Country Swing, Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Of course, everyone knows about Asleep at the Wheel, and I had heard of these Voodoo Daddy cats but hadn’t seen their live show. I guess I didn’t know what I was in for!

Voodoo Daddy opened the set followed by Asleep at the Wheel and then both groups performed together for an incredible finale! When was the last time you’ve seen that? The crowd was knocked out and there was a sense of music history in the air.

That was 10 years ago. It never happened again and probably never will, simply based on the chances of both bands being available at the same time for the same venue. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to witness what, to me, was an unforgettable night.

To commemorate, we chased these guys down on the road and asked them to autograph a couple of our premium bags; one for sax and the other for acoustic guitar… and now, we’re giving them away! Both bags are made with full grain leather and feature the dual-density foam interior and luggage-grade hardware that has made Reunion Blues famous.

You can sign up here for this Voodoo Daddy random drawing. If you want to go for the Asleep at the Wheel bag, sign up here.  If you’re a fan, or just like free stuff, this giveaway is for you. ;-)

Thank you Scotty from Voodoo Daddy and Ray from Asleep at the Wheel for making this happen.

You guys swing.

JM!