Posted December 13, 2006 at 3:54 am | No comments
by Rick Landers.
Cliches sometimes ring or twang true it seems, as the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree when talking about the leader of the Jay Kaye Band. The son of legendary Hawaiian First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll guitarist Mary Kaye (Mary Kaaihuei) and grandson of Johnny Ukulele, Jay Kaye’s musical heritage is close to the bone when he roams the stage with his black Strat and a swagger. Jay told Guitar International that he grew up on the road, sleeping in the back of his parents’ car as they toured the U.S., surrounded by some of the hottest musicians on the planet. More often than not, he watched his mom wow the crowds with her “White Beauty”, a white Stratocaster with gold hardware that would later be known as the “Mary Kaye” Strat by Fender fans around the world. Mom was also named one of the outstanding jazz artists of the year (1957/1962) by Playboy magazine…
Posted in: Interviews
Posted December 4, 2006 at 8:11 am | No comments
by Mary Ellen Gustafson.
I’ve known the people involved in creating what has become this massive entity called Trans-Siberian Orchestra and the core rock band they started with, Savatage, almost since they started in 1996. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to have conversations and interviews with Paul O’Neill, Bob Kinkel, Jon Oliva, Chris Caffery, meet John Lee Middleton and Jeff Plate and at least see Al Pitrelli play live with both bands. And, after all these years of attending the TSO’s West Tour and feeling like I know Al as well as all the others involved, I’ve never actually met or talked to him. When I hooked up with the guys in Savatage in 1998, he wasn’t around at the moment, but I still remember him and Chris playing off each other to the songs on the Wake Of Magellan Tour and thinking it was one of the most awesome guitar duos I’d ever seen. Actually, it’s still right up there at the top to this day. Bottom line; I’ve got a lot of history with and respect for Al Pitrelli and I finally got a chance to meet him…
Posted in: Uncategorized
Posted November 27, 2006 at 7:30 am | No comments
From the interview by John Foxworthy: Not many bands had Skid Row’s impact on the scene in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Between several monster hits, a volatile yet charismatic front man and adversity in the face of grunge, it’s amazing any of the members even lived to tell the tales. Now, with a new record on the rack and a renewed sense of self, it looks like the guys might have the power to reclaim their place in the annals of rock stardom.
Skid Row guitarist Scotti Hill isn’t looking back to the old days. Even though there’s a lot of history behind him and the band, his focus is on the here and now – and the future. Interview »
Posted in: Other News and Information
Posted November 21, 2006 at 7:38 am | No comments
by Tom Watson. « Page 1 Page 2
Posted in: Uncategorized
Posted November 21, 2006 at 7:36 am | No comments
by Tom Watson.
Janet Robin is a working musician. She plays guitar, sings, writes, produces, records, promotes and spends time on the road. She’s a professional. Music pays her bills. It feeds her stomach and her soul. Robin’s career reflects the decades it’s been through: garage bands in the ’70s; rock (mild to heavy) and a touch of glam in the ’80s; touring with Lindsey Buckingham, a shift to singer-songwriter mode and Lilith Fair in the ’90s; and now, in the ’00s, a commitment to DIY writing, producing, recording, promoting, and purusing new opportunities in those fields via the digital revolution. She’s born (1966) and raised in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley, so I have to wonder: What turns a potentially straight-up Valley Girl into a music business…
Posted in: Interviews
Posted November 2, 2006 at 8:40 pm | No comments
by Tom Watson.
Call it serendipity. I’ve followed the Gibson digital Les Paul guitar story since 2002 when I read in a press release what I think was the first official word from Gibson about the instrument. Over the four years between then and now I’ve read more press releases and media stories about the digital Les Paul, several of which included market release dates that didn’t materialize. Prototypes would be displayed at NAMM and various electronics shows but it never came to market. Until now. Following is the digital Les Paul portion of today’s interview with Gibson Chairman and CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz…
Posted in: Interviews
Posted October 30, 2006 at 2:37 pm | No comments
by Tom Watson.
The career of classical guitarist and educator Lily Afshar can be summed up by the phrase “the world is her oyster”. Born in Tehran, Iran, she emigrated to the United States in 1977 and now lives in Memphis, Tennessee, where she serves as the head of the guitar department of the University of Memphis. In July, 2006, her fourth album, Hemispheres (Archer Records), was released and the following month found her giving master classes at the Tehran Conservatory of Music and solo recitals at one of Tehran’s premier concert venues…
Posted in: Interviews
Posted July 28, 2006 at 5:23 pm | No comments
by Matt Baamonde.
Go back in time and catch Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure then guess who played those fiery guitar riffs flying off the fingers of George Carlin’s character, Rufus. If you answered, “Stevie Salas,” then a big, “No way, yes way!” to you. Considered by many to be one of the top fifty guitarists of all time, Salas has gained the attention of musicians around the world as well as classic rockers like Mick Jagger, George Clinton, Billy Gibbons, Zakk Wylde, Billy Idol, Rick Neilson, and Rod Stewart…
Posted in: Interviews
Posted July 6, 2006 at 12:58 am | No comments
PHOTO: GB FORMAL – CREDIT TO DENISE PASSERETTI
Hailing from Boston, Gerry Beaudoin first took up the guitar at ten years old and has since evolved into one of the finest jazz guitarists and music arrangers in the country. He is the recipient of a 1992 National Association of Independent Record Producers award for best jazz recording, a 1994 Cadence Magazine Editor’s Choice Award for his CD Sentimental Christmas, as well as a submission for a 1998 Grammy nomination.
Posted in: Uncategorized
Posted July 6, 2006 at 12:26 am | No comments
COVER PHOTO: JSUKE (Courtesy Michael Bloom Media)
Not only does Hawai’ian born ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro make his little four stringed axe gently weep, he can also make it sweep, soar, and shred. When in his grasp, his ukulele roams the halls of folk, jazz, flamenco, rock, funk, the blues, bluegrass and classical music. Along with his astonishing talent, Jake’s winning smile and generous personality has been recognized by the State of Hawai’i that has named him a Goodwill Ambassador for Hawai’ii.
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