Where is the muse
To light the fuse
Something to use
To enjoy the views
Find the colors and hues
‘Cause if you have the clues
You cannot lose
Don’t forget to amuse
And bring on the woo hoo’s!
Without relying on booze
How do you find the muse?
The Great Unknown Guitar Player?
A few folks are serious Rory Gallagher fans (like me), but most people probably shake their heads in confusion when asked about Rory Gallagher. Is that the comedian with the big hammer? Is he the young Irish golfer? Nope and Nope.
Rory Gallagher played some of the rockingest blues based guitar of the baby boomer generation. He turned down a request to join the Rolling Stones because he did not want to be boxed in. In addition to his brilliant guitar work, he wrote scads of top shelf songs and raged through different leads each time he performed them. His enthusiasm is evident in each performance. He jumped around the stage like Angus Young of AC/DC, but with less manic movement. He drew his band members in with eye contact and brought out their best like a good football coach.
In his trademark plaid shirt and jean jacket, Rory was not quite Jimi Hendrix wearing a feather boa, but for a regular guy he made you want to watch, listen and move. Legend has it that when Jimi Hendrix was asked how it felt to be the greatest guitar player in the world, he said “ask Rory Gallagher”. High praise indeed.
His brother Donal created and has been the caretaker of a fabulous website www.rorygallagher.com. Youtube videos are many. For my money, I like Bullfrog Blues and A Million Miles Away. A Blu Ray edition DVD was recently released of the Irish Tour ’74 including documentary footage. He comes across as a very humble man who loved his craft. Unfortunately, he passed away too early in 1995, but thanks to videos, he still lives on. Rock On Rory!
My Favorite Music Club: P.B. Scotts Music Hall in Blowing Rock, NC
There are the big name music clubs, famous in folklore and popular culture…The Fillmore West in San Francisco, The Fillmore East in New York, CBGB in NY, Tipitinas in New Orleans, The Fox in Atlanta, The Royal Albert Hall in London, the Whiskey A Go-Go in L.A. I’m sure you can add to this list. Once upon a time, high up in the Blue Ridge mountains, there was a club in little ol’ Blowing Rock, North Carolina that was the center of the music universe for many of us that were lucky enough to be there. It was called P.B. Scotts Music Hall and almost 30 years after it closed, it has a Facebook page (Remembering P.B. Scotts) and an annual party to celebrate its reign from 1976-1983.
What made it so special? Did it happen to exist in the golden era of great music? Was it the geodesic dome-shaped wooden building and the feng shui? Was it the high quality performers? Was it the stage? Was I at the age where everyone finds their favorite music spot? Was it the sound man and state of the art Bose sound system? Was it the crowd that came every night expecting great things and ready to make a party happen? Was it the beauty of the Blue Ridge mountains? Was it the party in the parking lot? Heck Yes! It was all of these things. At the time, the disco craze was sweeping the country and I think most people who were there would agree that P.B. Scotts was just the opposite of Studio 54 (the infamous disco club in NY). You did not have to be a celebrity to get in and there were no disco balls.
I saw some incredible, big time performers that played there including Greg Allman, J.J. Cale, Ramsey Lewis, Molly Hatchet, Papa John Creach, andThe Nighthawks (!). B.B. King also played there but somehow I missed that one. My all-time favorite show was the Dixie Dregs. Don’t let the name fool you because they played more styles of music than a jukebox on steroids. Their playing was very dynamic, taking you up and down, fast and slow and they could turn on a dime. This all-instrumental band was fronted by guitar player extraordinaire and band leader Steve Morse. He is probably more famous now for his stint as the latter day guitarist for Deep Purple. But I bet his heart will tell you that The Dixie Dregs at P.B. Scotts was as good as it gets from a musician’s standpoint. The audience hung on every note and beat while dancing, swaying and jumping to the music, only a few feet away from the band. And let’s not forget the regional bands that played there like The Spongetones, Sidewinder, Razz Ma Tazz, etc.! Did somebody say Snuff?! Herein might be the key to P.B. Scotts rating as my favorite music club of all time. It did not matter who was playing. It was always exciting and I don’t remember an off night. Watching and listening to a musical performance there was a very zen experience. You became totally absorbed in the here and now. Tomorrow did not matter.
P.B. Scotts only held about 800 people. In front of the chest high stage was a dance floor. It seemed like the perfect height for a stage. There was a 2nd level balcony and a smaller 3rd level balcony. My favorite spot was the 2nd level, but the dance floor was a good place to go crazy.
Soon after it opened in 1976, I attended my first show. I don’t even remember who played that fateful night, but when I walked through the front doors I felt like I had entered the coolest place in the world. That same feeling came over me every time I went in. Fast forward to 1983. I moved to California and about one month later P.B.s (as we liked to call it) closed, finally succumbing to some funky local laws requiring establishments to serve more food than alcohol. So I got to experience pretty much the whole spectrum of people and music. I will venture to say that I hung out and attended more shows there than anyone, other than employees, and more than some of them. Like that old saying goes, “no brag, just fact”. I welcome any friendly challengers on this.
One special night in 1982, they had a “Local Band Night”. My band, Crash Landing, performed along with another local band called Justus. What a thrill! Our opening number was the Van Halen version of “You Really Got Me”. During the intro, we almost blew the place up with our homemade pyrotechnics/light show consisting of photographic flash powder in Maxwell House coffee cans. Just a little too much of the flash powder, but what an intro! It sounded like a bomb went off throwing a huge rush of warm air across the room, and the flash powder blinded everyone for a few seconds. On guitar was Karl Tellekamp, myself on bass guitar, lead vocals by Doug Buttner and Joe Helms on drums. We specialized in tunes by Jimi Hendrix, Van Halen, Robin Trower, ZZ Top and we even had a few original songs. You know Karl had some serious chops to cover those guitar heavyweights.
So how did a music club like this spring up in the Blue Ridge mountains of NC? In 1976, the population of Blowing Rock NC was about 500 year round residents (that’s right, 500). But, it was an affluent part of Watauga county with many summer homes, and in 1976 it was the only town in the county where you could buy alcohol. It was the go-to place for entertainment and nightlife. At first glance, an outsider might look at Blowing Rock and see Mayberry. There were certainly some of the good elements of Mayberry, but it was more complicated than that. Consider the demographics of the region’s population. There was a strong local community, going back for generations, who had a great appreciation of music. There were also many “alternative” people running away from cities to retreat into a simpler mountain lifestyle. Can we call them hippies? There were also the Florida tourists and transplants. But mostly there was Appalachian State University in Boone NC (only 8 miles away) which accounted for the bulk of P.B. regulars…students from all over North Carolina. Swirl all of these people around with a lot of beer and primo music and you had something magical. If I could bottle whatever it was that made it so special, I would be a rich man. But, I am definitely richer, having spent so much time at P.B. Scotts. And short on a few brain cells.
There can never be another place like P.B. Scotts, at least not for me. It was definitely a product of the times. If you were lucky enough to be there, cherish it.
Have any of you had similar experiences with a music club? Let me know about it.
Is the Guitar Dying?
What would our world be like without guitars? Ever since the last century, the guitar has been the western world’s most popular instrument (based on my opinion, not from any kind of study). Is it just me or are computers and midi synthesizers (that can imitate all kinds of instruments) taking over? How many parties, weddings, etc. do you attend now where there is a DJ instead of a band of guitar players? From an economical standpoint, it makes sense. One person with a laptop and some speakers can play, mash up and produce layered music that never stops (as opposed to 4-6 people with a bunch of instruments and a PA).
Although I’ve never tried the DJ thing, I’m sure there is some skill involved. And, if someone requests a song, it doesn’t matter if you know it or not. Just dial it up and push play. But where is the soul? Another of my humble opinions: There is nothing like watching or listening to a guitar player build a solo to a crescendo.
A lot of us parents who play guitar hope that our kids want to play guitar so we can jam with them, bond and they will love us because we are so cool. But, in many cases it probably doesn’t work out so perfectly. When I taught my daughter to play the guitar at age 8, she picked it up quickly. I was in heaven on that day when we played “Brown Eyed Girl” together. But, I had 2 conflicting thoughts in my head: “This is great, we will play music for the rest of my life and share something very special…and/or…Enjoy this now because it will not last”. Turns out that the latter came to bear. She could have taken up the guitar with enough natural talent to have some fun with it. But, I just don’t think the guitar is the ultimately cool instrument it once was.
What do you think? Is the guitar losing it’s luster in the musical world? Leave a comment below and let us know.
-Jay
Photo Credit: Jsome1
Review of Phil Angotti and the Lazy Apple Orchestra-People and Places (Our House Records)
What do you get when combining a golden voice, clever songwriting, incredible musicianship, lush harmonies and a love of music? You get Phil Angotti’s new CD release “People and Places”.
Phil draws from American and British power pop influences from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s but he has crafted his own style. Phil wrote all the songs, and if you like melody, you will like this release. You also get some great grooves and all the extras. I suggest that you get the whole CD (don’t just download a song or two). None of the songs sound the same and they each help build a total work of art. And with the Lazy Apple Orchestra you get a lot of different instruments on each song that you don’t want to miss.
As song # 6 says, “What happened to the songs with the grooves?” Well, I think he answered his own question. Click HERE.
Alabama High School Band Tornado Recovery Help
Large areas of our country have recently been hit with some big natural disasters like the floods in Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana and tornadoes in Alabama and North Carolina (I’m sure I’ve missed some states and apologize for the omission). Many of us want to help but don’t know exactly what to do and where to do it. Big disaster agencies like The Red Cross certainly do a great job. However, I was looking for a way to help on a more local level. Sometimes I feel like we lose control over where the money goes and whether it actually gets to the people in need, versus going into a big general pot eaten up by administrative costs.
In speaking with James Counts of Counts Brothers Music in Muscle Shoals Alabama, I was moved by his sincere assessment of the damage in his state. I asked James what he thought was the most direct way to help the people in his area. Being in the musical accessories business, I wanted to try and help in this arena. We provide a lot of our products to students and we believe that school music programs are very important in shaping young lives for the positive.
James sent me this letter from Bobby Patrick, Band Director of The Phil Campbell High School in Phil Campbell Alabama. Click here to read it. Phil Campbell Letter (Please be patient. It takes a minute to download.)
They were hit hard in terms of lives lost, which can never be replaced. Their supply of instruments, accessories and equipment for their band program was wiped out. I read the letter and, bingo, I knew this is how I wanted to help. Attached is the letter. If anyone is looking for a way to help, here is good one. I chose the Phil Campbell High School in Alabama because it was presented to me by a good man and I know that my contributions will go directly to the band program.
We all wish we could do more, but as simple as it sounds, every little bit helps. I believe it’s not only the money but the moral and psychological support that will help them move forward from this tragedy. Let’s do it.
Music Ed and Desert Fun with School Music Dealers at NASMD
National Association of School Music Dealers
The National Association of School Music Dealers NASMD knows how to combine industry education, motivation, networking and good old fashioned fun in their conferences. This year’s event in Palm Springs was spectacular! Bringing together the leaders of this segment of the music accessories industry, NASMD ensures that their business is heading in the right direction.
West Music's John Feldman and Nate Ersig with Reunion Blues' rep Jay Lewallen - Photo Credit: Music Inc. Magazine
Business sessions with titles like “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Instrument Rental Programs”, “Future Trends in Retailing”, “Changing Technology and Your Business” and “Saving Music From the Chopping Block-Politics” helped conference attendees stay at the forefront of critical issues. Events like the Road Rep Olympics (including an Obstacle Course, Van Schlepping and Loading and Equipment Repair) and the Golf Tournament ensured that everyone had a rollicking good time. Throw in a few cocktail parties and poolside receptions and you’ve got the perfectly complete conference. Madeleine Crouch with NASMD has to be the hardest working, nicest event organizer in the world. She was everywhere and did everything.
Equipment Repair winner Chris Behrens from Summerhays Music stands atop his RocknRoller Multicart first prize while Madeleine Crouch looks on. - Photo Credit: Music Inc.
A Road Rep Olympics contestant navigates the dreaded NASMD obstacle course! - Photo Credit: Music Inc. Magazine
One of the highlights was “Rep-Ardy”, a take off on the Jeopardy game. Hosted by George Quinlan “Trebek” of Quinlan and Fabish with industry leaders as participants, this event tested industry knowledge amidst much laughter and good sportsmanship. The panelists were Steve West of West Music, Jim Kidder of Kidder Music, Bill Harvey of Buddy Rogers Music, Roger White of White House of Music and Scott Summerhays of Summerhays Music. Everyone who witnessed the game was a winner.
George Quinlan, dressed in his Alex Trebek costume, congratulates Rep-Ardy winner Jim Kidder - Photo Credit: Music Trades Magazine
NASMD Professional Standards are:
• To Help Teachers Develop Successful School Music Programs
• Help Parents Support Their Child’s Active Participation in School Music Programs
• Help Students Enjoy the Benefits of Making Music in their School
Based on the Professional Standards listed above, NASMD is doing a great job. It is becoming widely known that students who participate in music programs score higher on tests, develop higher IQs and build social skills and lifelong self-motivation. Much of this can be attributed to NASMD dealers who work closely with schools and band directors to keep the music programs marching onward and upward.
The final evening festivities included Grayson and Kristina Zeagler of Zeagler Music passing the plaque to new NASMD President Joel Menchey of Menchey Music. - Photo Credit: Music Trades Magazine
What Was It Really Like to See The Beatles In Concert?
The Beatles
Most fans are aware that The Beatles last concert was at Candlestick Park in San Francisco (August 29, 1966). My understanding was that they grew tired of not being able to hear themselves on stage and decided to focus on studio recording (a good idea as “Sgt. Peppers” was the first result). If Candlestick was the straw that broke the camel’s back, it was obviously not the only concert appearance where the crowd screams overwhelmed the band and the meager P.A. systems of the time. To get an insider’s view of an actual Beatles concert, I consulted my go-to guy for the 1960′s. (One day I might reveal the name of my source-for now we will call him LD for Lucky Dude). He did the things I wanted to do like attend a Beatles concert AND Woodstock. Here is his story, in his words. It really puts you there. Snap the chinstrap on your time travel helmet and here we go:
I saw The Beatles in August of 1966, Suffolk Downs Racetrack, East Boston MA. I went with a girl I grew up with…she bought tickets for herself and her girlfriend but times being what they were, her parents wouldn’t allow her to get on the bus/train and go to a “concert” without a proper chaperone…so she and her folks suggested me…and I took her…the show was life-changing. The acts were The Remains, who were the support band for The Ronettes and Bobby Hebb (Sunny), and The Cyrkle (Red Rubber Ball)…all were received warmly..but then there was this commotion behind the stage and once the shadow emerged, chaos commenced. Two Boston radio station DJ’s were jockeying for position to announce the boys…it was actually funny…but once the boys hit the stage, it was like sticking your head into a jet engine, it was that loud. Bedlam. I couldn’t hear a thing…for 25 minutes it was just screaming….the only thing I could hear was when one of them would talk between tunes to announce what was coming next…my girl friend was a mess…just sobbing the entire performance. It was all I could do to get her out of the venue to catch the bus back home…
That, is Rock and Roll history my friends.
Rockin’ the Scene at NAMM 2011
Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Justin Meldal-Johnsen autograph
At the EBS Sweden booth I met with Justin Meldal-Johnsen, an amazing guitar player best known for touring with Nine Inch Nails. We connected with Justin by way of Robin Finck (also of NIN and Guns n Roses fame). I will be sending Justin some straps straight away and hopefully hook him up with gig bags soon.
Tommy Duke & Rick Thorne of Good Guys in Black
Chris Holmes of WASP
Phil Sandoval of Armored Saint
Robb Flynn, of Machine Head, debuted his Epiphone
Robb Flynn of Machine Head
Dave Navarro autograph
I waited in the line at the Gibson booth for over an hour to meet Eva Gardner, the bassist for PINK, as well as Cliff Williams of AC/DC. There was a huge line behind us.
Cherie Currie aka “The Chainsaw Chick” of The Runaways fame, was a must-see at the Hohner booth, but she was running late. They posted her time at 2:00. I couldn’t possibly pass up the chance to meet John 5, so I was very bummed to have missed Cherie!
Steve Brunner of Suicidal Tendencies
Michael Tobias and Steve Brunner
John 5
The best part of the whole day was meeting John 5! Not only is he one of the most incredible guitar players of our time, he is shockingly kind, humble, and generous. He has an amazing rap sheet including lead guitar for Marilyn Manson. I asked him how he handles his crazy busy
John 5 autograph
DJ Ashba
Tim Yeung, Morbid Angel and Vinnie Paul, Hell Yeah
I had to get creative at this point because there were so many artists and so little freaking time! The Hell Yeahs were there so I shot a bunch of pics of them. Tim Yeung, of Morbid Angel, was also at the booth.
Mick Thomson of Slipknot
Mastadon
Mastadon was signing at the Orange Amps booth. Nick, the barista at Petaluma Coffee & Tea, is such a huge fan of theirs that he puts them on as entry music when I walk into the coffee shop. They were generous with their time in allowing me to tell them my silly story of how I got turned onto Mastadon. I gave them our blue pinstripe guitar strap in hopes that they’ll be wanting more!
Mick Mars of Motley Crue with our Reunion Blues strap
Mick Mars, do I even need to say, of Motley Crue, was signing at the Marshall Amps booth. All that I wanted to do was hug him like an old friend. I grew up listening to the Crue and going to their concerts in Lincoln, NE, of all places. I was able to make eye contact with Mick after giving him our Reunion Blues guitar strap. His smile just about melted me … If nothing else his guitar should be comfortable on his frail frame, so I thought that was the least I could do after all of these years of Mick rocking my world! The guy is a badass, don’t let him fool you. 
Cheers to you Mick! I’ll be cheering you on forever!
Nikki Sixx Poster
Nikki Six wasn’t there but his poster was!
EMG was celebrating their 35th Anniversary at a cocktail reception held in the Avalon Room at the Hilton. Sorry kids, no photos. The artists had enough of that at the show, they came here to party, and I respected that. I was lucky enough to be the greeter … If you check out EMG’s site and you’ll understand why that was such a big deal! It was awesome to say “Hi Kerry” to Mr. King of Slayer! The original founder of Dean Guitars, Dean Zelinsky, was there and said hello like anyone else. I was floored. Jeff Loomis was also there and it was awesome to meet him and his hair! Thank you to Scott, National Sales Manager EMG; as well as Scott Ferrara, Artist Relations EMG, for helping us make so many Reunion Blues connections there! Congratulations to Rob Turner for 35 phenomenal years!
The night was closed out by Dave Lombardo (Slayer), and some extremely talented vocalists serenading the EMG partygoers with the piano player, performing renditions of “Stairway to Heaven”, “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “We Are the Champions”, and many more favorites.” Can you imagine Dave singing Bohemian Rhapsody … epic!
Random note: Congratulations to Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for winning the Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Score for The Social Network. They also won the Critics Choice Award for Best Score for The Social Network. Trent, you had me at “Pretty Hate Machine”.
And, Cheers to you, Michelle D, for making this a memorable NAMM for all these lucky rockers who got to hang with you!
Reunion Blues & Laurence Juber
As far as contemporary guitar players go, you’ll be hard pressed to find a player with more feathers in his cap than Laurence Juber. And those are some big, bright feathers. Laurence has done it all. He is the former lead guitarist for Paul McCartney and Wings, Alan Parsons Project, Carly Simon and too many other top stars to mention here.
Laurence Juber, now and then!
He has his own Laurence Juber signature model C.F. Martin Acoustic guitar OMC-LJ. He is a world renowned fingerpicking expert, composer, arranger and all around guitar virtuoso. He composed and performed music for Ken Burn’s follow up baseball documentary film The Tenth Inning. And he has recently completed LJ Plays The Beatles Vol. 2. These are just a few of his achievements and accomplishments in a hugely successful career.
And who does Laurence turn to for gig bags and cases for his prized guitars? Reunion Blues, of course! When I asked him about his squadron of Reunion Blues gig bags, he commented:
“I am indeed well-equipped with your bags, with my first purchased at Manny’s Music on 48th St in NYC in 1978.”
The Juber Squadron
Laurence sent us this photo of his Reunion Blues gig bags and cases titled: En Route to a Session (I bet that was one heck of a session! He added:
“As a traveling musician, I appreciate the value of a well-designed and functional gig bag. There are certainly some competitive alternative products in the marketplace, but none have the consistency of style, ‘fit’ and ‘finish’ that I associate with Reunion Blues.”
When asked about traveling with his guitars, he offered this comment which may be even more impressive than our famous drop test from the top of a 3-story building:
“I’ve been happy with the Reunion Blues Continental for my Les Paul and have checked it as baggage with no concerns.”
Laurence was one of the first people we showed our new RB prototypes to at the 2011 NAMM show. Here is what he had to say:
“The suede finish prototype bag at NAMM was cool – I particularly liked the zippered flap over the outside pocket.”
We are obviously thrilled to have Laurence as an official Reunion Blues artist endorser. To learn more about one of the most exciting guitar players of our time, just go to laurencejuber.com. Enjoy with amazement!