NAMM speech

During the weekend of the January, 2010 NAMM Show, Muriel Anderson asked me to say a few words about our industry following my performance at The All Star Guitar NIght. I was very flattered.

However, as the reality of my commitment began to sink in, I felt a growing sense of anxiety . I truly didn't want the folks who had come for a wonderful evening of guitar music to feel that they had been ambushed by "some guy preaching about the music business". It then dawned on me that most of the audience was just like me: their business was also their life's passion, Music.

Do we intuitively appreciate that what we do as an industry impacts our customers and our communities in ways that go far beyond just selling guitars? Yes, that impact can be extraordinary. We just don't take the time to recognize it.

My intension was to explain that, by allowing the natural power in music to define and drive a business, the profits will be automatic: and I believe that the power in music trumps all other industries.

Duet with Laurence Juber

To perform this song with Laurence Juber was surreal. I could barely concentrate on my own parts while listening to LJ's amazing accompaniment. In an age of instant idols, it's exhilarating to hear a lifetime of studio work and touring express themselves through LJ's hands and heart.

Greg's Boogie

Most fingerstyle tunes use a country bass but I thought it would be a change of pace to use a blues shuffle in the bass instead. Playing with Pete Huttlinger was a fantastic experience. When we rehearsed the tune, he seemed to have a limitless supply of the coolest, most drop-dead licks ever. All I had to do was sit back and enjoy.