By: Rick Landers
Dave Grissom at X-PRS 2012
For the sixth consecutive year, Paul Reed Smith Guitars is hosting its Experience PRS trade show (Sept. 13 – 15), with an expected attendance of over 2,000 friends, fans and associates.
PRS aficionados have been looking forward to the trade show to find out what new products will be offered, as well as to get together under the Experience PRS big tent to hear some of the world’s top guitar talent.
The company continues to innovate and broaden its appeal to guitar players, from novices to professional players. And we’re looking forward to get our hands on some of our favorite PRS models, as well as check out the company’s new gear, including its impressive tonnage of amps.
Last night, Paul greeted the crowd in an informal get together with PRS Signature club members, authorized PRS dealers, international distributors, celebrity musicians and members of the press.
Dinner was served with an array of drinks, as people began to gather to hear the evening’s offering of music by several PRS endorsees.
Hanging around were other members of the music press, including author, Jon Chappell (“Blues for Dummies”, “Guitar for Dummies” etc.); Tom Wheeler (Former Editor-in-Chief, Guitar Player magazine); and a group from Guitar World magazine.
The Dave Grissom Band under the big tent at Experience PRS 2012
Simon McBride, wowed the crowd with an acoustic set, where he showcased songs from his latest album. The Irish rocker is considered by many to be the heir apparent to Rory Gallagher and Gary Moore.
Although, Simon’s set was brief, he displayed some split second, high speed finger work on a PRS acoustic, including a version of Jimi Hendrix’s “Crosstown Traffic”.
The Dave Grissom Band served as the official opening act. Dave’s worked with Paul Reed Smith for decades and in 2007, a Dave Grissom Signature PRS guitar was announced as part of the company’s line-up of new models. Dave’s highly respected session work has received accolades from many quarters, as well as his work with The Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Lucinda Williams, The Allman Brothers, and many more.
Dave and his group unleashed a crunchy set of rocking tunes that showed off not only Dave’s guitar credentials, but the talents of his very tight crew. As much as we dig all of his PRS guitars, he grabbed an angelic white PRS axe that looked particularly alluring under the hot lights.
The headliner of Thursday night was rocker, Mark Tremonti, well known as the guitarist for Creed, as well the axe-master of Alter Bridge. Mark’s been honored by PRS with three Signature models, the Tremonti SE, the Tremonti I and the Tremonti II.
Mark Tremonti at Experience PRS 2012
Paul handed out ear plugs to his PRS family, a forewarning of what was to come. And the opening whiplash riffs of Tremonti’s band broke the decibel record for the night, unleashing a full force gale of muscle rock off Tremonti’s solo CD, “All I Was”.
Experience PRS will open up at full throttle this morning, Friday, September 14, 2012, with guitar building clinics, seminars, factory tours, a historic display of PRS guitars, and performances during the event by some of the world’s finest musicians, including John McLaughlin, Neal Schon, Ricky Skaggs, Tony McManus, the PRS Band, Brent Mason and Cody Kilby.
