Experience PRS 2009 on a Roll…Page Two

Guitarist Extraordinaire Dave Grissom

by Rick Landers

While touring the PRS grounds, everyone had opportunities to stop and meet some of their favorite guitarists. I bumped into the formidable Celtic guitarist, Tony McManus, who would later play some of his Celtic riffs. Johnny Hiland clicked out some accelerated riffs in one of the tents and afterward took on questions from the crowd.

Earlier in the day we saw David Grissom arrive and walk into the main stage area, with his guitar strapped on his back. Later, I had a brief chat with Dweezil Zappa who was munching down some lunch and later I ran into some of the folks that I’d met at X-PRS 2008 and we had a laugh. The following day I met, Randy Melser, Platinum Room Accounts Manager in Hallandale, Florida and his friend, the, Guitar Center District Manager in Orlando. We grabbed some lunch and talked about guitars, business, kids and rock ‘n’ roll.  Then we headed to the  Tiki Bar where Alexandra Berge was handing out free non-alcoholic beverages and a cash bar.

(Name to be added) (L) and Randy Melser (R) from Guitar Center "Live at the Tiki Bar"

Alexandra Berge ran the Tiki Bar for the X-PRS 2009

The Paul Reed Smith Band played some great rock ‘n’ roll and Paul held his own cranking out some turgid riffs to the crowd’s delight. Smith isn’t a rock poser. He’s got some licks and he played his heart out with sweat dripping off him under the sweltering hot kleigs.

PRS Paisley Amp and 10 Top Meister Cake Builder with Gear!

Guests had the good fortune to have a catering service set up by PRS for lunch and dinner.  And the caterer smoothly and quickly served up enough grub for the large crowd that lined up for each meal. Next to the food service area a few people had gathered and were looking at what appeared to be an old PRS amplifier, but with the new brown paisley cover. A closer look revealed it to be a cake with a heavy layer of brown, gold and orange frosting. Later, the amp cake “builder” showed up and he and I talked about the cake that he said was a “ginger and green tea” concoction of ingredients.  I’d discover that the taste was good, but a bit heavy, apparently to keep the amp and the guitar that was added later, intact.

Maybe It’s Time for a Guitar Gallery

PRS guitar for charity autographed by Joe Walsh.

A "Triple Threat" of PRS guitars at the Sales Area.

A set of celebrity autographed PRS guitars auctioned for charity.

Check out PAGE THREE with our final coverage of X-PRS 2009.