Modern Guitars has three copies of Erik Mongrain's Equilibrium CD to give away to lucky readers on December 20, 2008. Canadian-born Mongrain's second CD includes nine tracks, with the title track, "Equilibrium," a flourish representing the sensitive, yet critical balance between mankind and our planet. In 2007, Erik performed at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and later at the Place des Arts of Montreal. 2008 has included Mongrain's live performances around Europe and North America and he recently filmed four clips for iVideosongs.com. More »

Modern Guitars has three copies of Gary Moore's Bad For You Baby CD to give away to lucky readers on December 15, 2008. Gary's impressive guitar licks spin on the title track, "Bad For You Baby," as well as a cool cover of the Blood, Sweat and Tears tune, "I Love You More Than You'll Ever Know." Moore's been a member of Thin Lizzy, Colosseum II, and BBM (Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Gary Moore) and the powerful blues-rock-jazz influenced crew, Skid Row. Here's what Modern Guitars reviewer Brian D. Holland has to say in his review (includes two full-length streams of tracks from the album) of Bad For You Baby: "Like its recent predecessors, Bad For You Baby is a fine blend of traditional blues songs and Moore originals, all of which are performed in the diversely interesting approach that’s today’s Gary Moore. He covers all the bases on the Moore blues spectrum, with an edge that’s both electrifying and unique, and his tone and phrasing get better with each release." More »

Modern Guitars has five copies of the newly released Tommy Emmanuel Center Stage DVD to give away to lucky readers on November 20, 2008. Tommy Emmanuel’s performance at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Big Room in Chico, California, was filmed for his new Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage DVD. The video firmly reinforces Tommy's world-wide reputation as one of the finest instrumentalists to step on a stage. His personal charm, musical virtuosity and adeptness at selecting captivating melodies guarantee his fans memorable performances. The SN Brewing Company DVD presents Tommy alone with his three guitars, two of which are face damaged by his inclination to pummel them with percussionist abandon. One of Emmanuel’s most remarkable and inspiring displays of guitar-percussion is “Mombasa.” His hands slap all over the acoustic in a conga-beat before he slips in some sweet strums and melodic magic. More »

When D.C. photographer Michael G. Stewart and I arrived at the gathering at Paul Reed Smith’s home on Thursday, September 18, in Annapolis, Maryland, we scanned his living room and recognized a few of the faces. PRS artists Bugs Henderson, Johnny Hiland, Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge and Creed), Howard Leese (Heart), Paul Jackson, Jr. (American Idol), Ricky Skaggs and other guitar aficianados were enjoying the scene, along with other members of the guitar media crowd and PRS distributors from around the world. More »

Jackson Browne is back. The troubadour arrived in Washington, D.C. on September 15, 2008, to kick off his American tour at the Warner Theater. The place was packed with fans who cheered when he walked on stage and began a set that offered up some of his classics. But, for the most part, this was a setting where Browne wanted to highlight a set of songs off his new Time The Conqueror CD. Few artists capture the romantic rhythms of the human heart like Jackson Browne. It’s been six years since we’ve heard any new material from Browne. And as he rolled out his new tunes, it was a pleasure to hear them all wrapped in the colorful tones of his musical serape. More »

Modern Guitars is pleased to announce the addition of master shredder Matthew Mills's new column, Guitar Shredding, to its pages. Matt's column is aimed at intermediate and advance level guitarists who are looking to conquer their fretboards with clarity and speed. Matthew discovered his love of guitars after hearing Yngwie Malmsteen run herd over his scalloped-neck Stratocaster. By practicing more than eight hours a day for years, Matthew gained enough speed and talent to be named one of the "Fastest Guitar Players of All Time" by Guitar World magazine (July 2008). His shred work is a as articulate and frenetic as it gets and can be heard on his solo albums that include: Neoclassical Rock Guitar, and Neoclassical Rock Guitar Part 2. More »

Tommy Emmanuel’s performance at Sierra Nevada Brewing Company's Big Room in Chico, California, was filmed for his new Tommy Emmanuel: Center Stage DVD. The video firmly reinforces Tommy's world-wide reputation as one of the finest instrumentalists to step on a stage. His personal charm, musical virtuosity and adeptness at selecting captivating melodies guarantee his fans memorable performances. In 2005, Modern Guitars saw the Australian guitarist at Carnegie Hall where he was one of many featured guitarists to pay tribute to Les Paul on the guitar innovator's 90th birthday. That evening, two artists received standing ovations - Les and Tommy. His reputation was confirmed when we read that he was named a Certified Guitar Player by the late, great Chet Atkins, who limited that certification to only three guitarists. The SN Brewing Company DVD presents Tommy alone with his three guitars, two of which are face damaged by his incessant inclination to pummel them with percussionist abandon. More »

Imagine a world where there is no electricity, a world where instruments have to be performed acoustically, where performers must rely on stage presence and personal bravado as much as musical ability to win over audiences and earn a living. Imagine performing without amplification for a concert hall audience of a thousand people and wowing them with every note. This is the realm of the classical guitarist. Even today, in a world full of electric pickups and amplifiers, the vast majority of classical guitarists prefers to perform acoustically. The result is a deep connection between the performer and his or her instrument, a bond that can only be produced by years of practice and performance, while giving the utmost attention to tone and clarity, allowing the guitar to become an extension of the musician. More »

From the review by Michael Shea: On August 9 and 10, 2008 I spent two exhilarating days at the San Jose Jazz Festival. There are nine stages – I counted them – with the main stage located at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose, California. It’s impossible to listen to every artist playing concurrently on those nine stages. I was in pretty good shape, having just returned from a 60-mile hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains, but three stages per set was the best I could do. My strategy was to review the program and pick the acts I most wanted to see, listen to a few songs, and then move on to the next venue. During the two days I was there, I did manage to hear 19 different artists, including The Manhattan Transfer, James Hunter, Joe Bonamassa, Tony Lindsay, Javon Jackson with Dr. Lonnie Smith and Les McCann, George Brooks and Zakir Hussain, John Desnmore’s Tribal Jazz, David Sanborn, and Dayna Stephens. More »

Modern Guitars had high expectations when we picked up the new Paul Reed Smith maple top Mira guitar from the factory in Stevensville, Maryland. We had played an early Mira (unplugged) when the model was unveiled at the 2007 Experience PRS trade show. At that time, we were duly impressed with how the company produced a new distinct personality, while embedding some traditional PRS trademark features like the signature PRS scooped headstock and a glistening finish. One of the first things we look for in PRS guitars is to see if the company has attained the “Wow” factor or benchmark that Smith reaches for in his instruments. Upon opening the black hard shell case, the new Maple Top Mira shined with success and enough magic or “Wow” to persuade us to give her a go. More »

Fans of the Battlestar Galactica reimagined television series and followers of the work of visual artist Pamelina H. will be pleased to know that the two forces joined to produce a Battlestar Galactica Stratocaster that is available in an eBay auction that ends September 4, 2008. The instrument is a made-in-USA Stratocaster donated by Fender that bears BSG imagery airbrushed by Pamelina and the autographs of many of the show's main cast members, including Edward James Olmos (Cmdr. William Adama), Mary McDonnell (Laura Roslin), Jamie Bamber (Cpt. Lee "Apollo" Adama), James Callis (Dr. Gaius Baltar), Tricia Helfer (Number Six), Grace Park (Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii), Katee Sackhoff (Lt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace), Michael (Mike) Hogan (Col. Paul Tigh) and Aaron Douglas (Chief P.O. Galen Tyrol). All of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. More »

In December 2007 Hal Leonard Corporation added a guitar instruction website, GuitarInstructor.com to its publishing quiver. Jeff Schroedl took the lead to help launch the company's guitar focused site. Jeff''s recording and performance experience, along with his background in music publications, serve as solid foundations to help grow the new HLC instructional platform. His driving lead guitar work can be found on rock and jazz CDs with The Blue Machine, Tambora, Altered Five and the Ben Hans Trio. He's also released a solo CD named Prevue, where he unwinds a bit to punch out some blistering rock guitar. Before joining Hal Leonard, Jeff's writing and editing skills were highlighted in Guitar One magazine, where he served as Editor-in-Chief. His FastTrack Guitar Method and Hal Leonard Jazz Guitar Method publications feature well thought out instructional guidance for guitarists. More »

Modern Guitars has an Epiphone Les Paul Junior electric guitar signed by performing artist Warren Haynes to give away to a lucky reader on October 15, 2008. Classic styling combined with a lustrous ebony finish makes the Epiphone LP Junior one hot-looking first guitar with a fast neck and resonant tonewood body with a single humbucker in the bridge position. Legendary guitarist and true Gibson man Warren Haynes has found fame and fortune time and time again with the likes of David Allan Coe, The Allman Brothers Band, The Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh & Friends, and now with his own project Gov't Mule. Having written, produced, mixed and played on more than 20 albums, Warren has been featured on numerous TV shows, charity benefits and music festivals, and has performed in almost every city in the United States and almost every country in the world. More »

From the review by Ronny North: "When I was doing a demo for my sponsor, AMT Pedals, at the Summer NAMM in Nashville this past June, I noticed these cool guitars at a booth a couple spaces down from where I was playing. I was rushing to get to the AMT booth on time to do my demo, so I told the guys at the guitar booth that I would like to come by and check out their guitars after my demo. As always my demo ran long, so I only had a few minutes before my next demo on the far side of the convention center. I did manage to go to the booth with the guitars and got the low down on them. The company is called The Alternative Guitar and Amplifier Company. The founder of the company, Mal Stich, and his son Lothar talked about their guitars while I tried one out acoustically, before plugging it in. Mal worked at BC Rich Guitars during their heyday in the '80s, so he knows a thing or two about guitars. After chatting for a few minutes I had to run to get to my AMT demo." More »

Modern Guitars is pleased to announce the arrival Nick Sterling to our pages as our newest columnist. Hailed as a "guitar prodigy" in his early teens, Nick is now a young adult who's smartly pursuing his musical ambitions. At 14, Nick produced his first full length CD where he played all of the instruments, wrote the compositions, sang on all tracks and took the helm producing and engineering the project. The 2005 CD release, Life Goes On, gathered critical acclaim from the music industry. By the time Nick reached 16 years old he was performing with Buckcherry, Eric Johnson, Lit, Live, Cheap Trick, the Doobie Brothers, Government Mule and Blues Traveler. Sterling has moved beyond the “child prodigy” phase to build a solid career based on great musicianship and lively performances. Nick's column, On Axis, will feature Sterling's take on guitar and gear he test drives, new projects he's taken on, recording and production and other interests that he's found himself immersed in as a performer and musician.

A full house at the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, on July 24, 2008, warmed up quickly to Tele-wacker Redd Volkaert and swing steel artist Cindy Cashdollar as the two traded electrying riffs throughout the club. A bit later, another Tele-giant, Bill Kirchner, emerged with The Hammer of The Honky Tonk Gods to lay down some dazzling string swing. Whenever Cindy Cashdollar’s name is on the billing, you can bet on a great show. But, when you fill the bill with a couple of Tele players of Redd’s and Bill’s caliber, you trigger a frantic run on tickets. The evening was flush with Western Swing including Redd’s tribute tune to Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant, “Diminishing Flames,” that swung low and deep. But, it took a hearty Volkaert belch to set things right with an audience that roared with laughter when he offered up, “We just ate. So, 'scuze me!” From that point forward, everyone was, well, family and the porch belonged to Redd, leaving Cashdollar shaking her head and smiling. More »

While the relationship between guitars and cars has been well documented over the years in numerous songs, music videos, and even in the form of a guitar trophy for the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR race, we have a new addition to guitar lore – a functional guitar and bass built out of car parts. At the 2008 Monterey Blues Festival, brothers Ryan and Kyle Perry of the Homemade Jamz’ Blues Band played instruments made from car mufflers. The instruments were designed by their father, Renaud Perry, and were built by Renaud and his sons at their home. The Homemade Jamz’ Blues Band is a family affair, featuring 16-year old Ryan on guitar and vocals, 14-year old Kyle on bass, and their 9-year old sister Taya on drums. Although father Renaud plays harmonica with the band, he keeps to the background to encourage the younger Perrys to stand on their own as a band. More »

More news briefs... »

by Matthew Mills.
During the 1980s, guitarists were stunned by the innovative riffs of a new herd of guitarists, including those with their pedal to the metal playing that entailed ripping fretboards to shreds. But, no single guitarist of the time had more shock impact on the guitar world than the Swedish sweep accelerator, Yngwie Malmsteen. In late 1982, Mike Varney, owner of Shrapnel Records, brought the demon shredder over to the U.S., touting Yngwie's amazing grip on sweep picking arpeggios and high velocity harmonic minor scale runs. Having listened to a tape Yngwie had given him, Varney pushed to have Malmsteen play solos with the group Steeler. The guitarist eventually left Steeler and moved in with the group Alcatrazz. It didn't take him long to roll out on his own to record 12 studio albums and two live albums that serve as inspiration to guitarists who aspire to not only shred, but to play the guitar with turbocharged melodic intent... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Slash…the name alone conspires to attract and enthrall a cult following of guitarists and fans. Add the nonchalant tilt of a black top hat, a skull and bones talisman, a classic Les Paul, exotic good looks and voodoo charm with monster music talent and you’ve mixed the cauldron with a roll of the dice to conjure a rock god. Oh, okay, so during our interview I suggested he joined the “soccer mom” league, not with disrespect, but to highlight the tectonic life altering shift he's experienced from that of a singularly focused rock star to husband and father. Life changes and Slash [Saul Hudson] is now the father of two boys, London Emilio and Cash Anthony, and married to the lovely Perla Ferrar. His paternal love shone bright in his recent autobiography Slash, and it seems he’s handling the father-rock god balance with finesse... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Modern Guitars had the good fortune to catch master bluegrass guitarist and guitar builder Wayne Henderson while at a gig in Maryland. Henderson has played all around the globe and getting an opportunity to see him in an intimate setting was something we didn't want to miss. Bluegrass and guitar lovers sat quietly in a church, while Wayne and his long-time partner, Helen White, pulled out their instruments for a delightful set of bluegrass. Henderson guitars are superbly and painstakingly built by hand in Rugby, Virginia, a speck of a town in southern Virginia with a population of 7. Wayne's lived in the Appalachian region his entire life, but his his guitars are considered masterpieces throughout the world. Guitar players lavish praise on their craftsmanship and tonal qualities and ache over the ten year wait to own one. Wayne's guitar building craftsmanship gained worldwide interest in 2005 when Allen St. John's book, Clapton's Guitar: Watching Wayne Henderson Build the Perfect Instrument, was published... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Guitarist John Petrucci calls it fate that he and bassist John Myung happened to run into drummer Mike Portnoy at Boston’s Berklee College of Music in the mid '80s. Though the convergence led to the formation of Majesty, the name was eventually changed to Dream Theater because of legal issues. Enduring the typical yet untimely inconveniences that many rock bands go through, creative differences leading to member changes in particular, these three have sustained that common bond for almost twenty-four years. Add into the picture Canadian vocalist James LaBrie, who joined in 1991 for the recording of Images and Words, and Julliard-trained keyboardist Jordan Rudess, who replaced Derek Sherinian in 1999, and it’s the Dream Theater brew of excellence that fans have come to respect and adore... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Modern Guitars caught up with photographer Randy Jennings a while back to check out his inventory of rock and other live-music photography. His body of work includes photos of major rock guitarists that have grippped our imaginations over the years. His Captured Live Photography website gallery attests to his ability to click at the right moment to get the shot. Jennings' work can be found in Rolling Stone, Hal Leonard Corporation publications, Guitar Player, Hot Licks Productions, VH-1 Music Television, Goldmine, Genesis, Alligator Records, and Taylor Publishing. His photos have been featured on several TV stations' music features, high fashion clips, sport news and other hot spot assignments where dynamic photos are essential to tell the story. Randy's artistry can be found in books like Keri Leigh's Stevie Ray - Soul to Soul, and Craig Hopkins', outstanding biography,The Essential Stevie Ray Vaughan. He's also a Strat player and given his SRV inventory of shots, we expect he's a fan of the Texas guitar slinger. His photo "fix" offered him opportunities to get close to a slug of hot guitarists and other musicians including: Albert Collins, Eric Clapton, The Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, the Who, Warren Zevon, Gregg Allman, Lonnie Mack, Rod Stewart, Albert King and other icons of music... Read »

by Rick Landers.
This past spring, jazz guitarist Pat Martino kept the crowd mesmerized at Blues Alley, a club that can be found in the heart of Georgetown, Washington, D.C. During the evening, Pat held the spotlight as he coursed his way through a steady stream of very cool jazz guitar. The day had been a busy one for Pat and his wife, Aya (Ayako Asahi), with Pat starting the day in conversation with a local D.C. radio host and an interview with Modern Guitars. Washington-based photographer Michael G. Stewart and I met with Pat and Aya Martino in their Georgetown hotel. Aya was busy on her laptop when Pat opened the door and greeted us with a smile. Across from a leather sofa sat two fine Gibson archtops that we would end up talking about. We would later learn that one belonged to Aya, who is also a fine guitarist who oftentimes shares the stage with Pat. The harmony on stage further deepens what is obviously a rich and rewarding... Read »

by Mark Rabuffo.
Mention the name Greg Howe to an aficionado of contemporary electric guitar music and aural visions of smooth legato runs, wah-laden solos and funky, syncopated rhythms will run through his or her head. Greg has garnered a well-deserved reputation as a guitar virtuoso with one of the most recognizable voices in the instrumental electric guitar pantheon. Greg has been making records since 1988 after Mike Varney heard the Howe demo submitted for Varney’s Spotlight column in Guitar Player magazine. The album, Greg Howe, featured drummer Atma Anur and bass phenom Billy Sheehan, and marked the beginning of a long and fruitful solo career. Greg has also lent his guitar prowess to well-known pop superstars such as Michael Jackson, Enrique Iglesias, *NSYNC and Justin Timberlake. Howe’s most recent CD, Sound Proof, on Varney's Shrapnel/Tone Center label, features a new band and further cements his position as one of the electric guitar’s most unique voices. I spoke to Greg on July 6, 2008, about Sound Proof and a number of.... Read »

by Matt Baamonde.
Steve Lukather has been called "the best musician on the planet." Though most often associated with the Grammy-award-winning band Toto, Lukather's association with Toto is simply the tip of his massive career iceberg. Over the past 30 years he has amassed credits on over 1,000 albums in every genre as a session guitarist, arranger, singer and composer, and has worked with a spectrum of artists that ranges from Miles Davis to Chet Atkins. Simply put, Lukather's discography is mind blowing. Quincy Jones’ favorite guitarist, "Luke" has contributed to so many classic albums and tracks his name should be household fare. On June 5, 2008, Steve made it official, "The fact is, yes, I have left Toto. There is no more Toto. I just can't do it anymore and, at 50 years old, I wanted to start over and give it one last try on my own. Honestly, I have just had enough. This is not a break. It is over..." Read »

by Rick Landers.
Modern Guitars met with Judy Collins at the Willard International Hotel in Washington, D.C., the day of her show at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. As one would guess, the artist that prompted the writing of “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” has a captivating gaze and an elegance and intellect that have been nurtured by her life’s journey. Many of us know that Judy was among the early folk artists during the ‘60s who thrived on the rich camaraderie among musicians, poets and street artists in Greenwich Village. Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, Phil Ochs and Jim McGuinn all roamed the local clubs to find their voices and hone their performances in that era where folkies and beatniks found their roots in traditionalism and strength in avant-garde expression. But, to Judy Collins, they were not only fellow artists, but friends. And today, the bond remains among those early folk revivalists who are now well known artists that the world has enjoyed and honored, over many decades... Read »

by Skip Daly.
Line-up changes, manager difficulties – you name it, the BoDeans have dealt with it. Of course, they have also done extraordinary things, including supporting U2 on the Joshua Tree tour, and scoring a breakthrough mainstream hit with the ubiquitous “Closer To Free” in the mid 1990s. In the process, they managed to largely define quality American roots rock in the eyes of many a music fan. It was sometime around 1990 when my cousin first turned me on to this great little band from Milwaukee. I was at his house when he said, “Check this out. I think you’ll like this band,” then played the BoDeans’ first album, Love & Hope & Sex & Dreams (1986, Slash/Warner Records; reissued 1990, Reprise/WEA). By the time “Still The Night” came on, I was hooked. The track called “Angels” clinched it... Read »

by Mary Shaver and Michael G. Stewart.
Late last year, Big Brother and the Holding Company performed at the campus of Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. D.C. Photographer Michael G. Stewart and I met guitarist Sam Andrew, who talked about the group, Janis Joplin, the band's history and about Sam's latest ventures. Imagine being a guitarist in one of the most successful rock blues bands of the '70s with your days filled with limos, women, drugs and the other temptations that go along with rockdom. Some hard hitting performers didn't make it through the '70s. Most, though, managed to steer clear of the cliffs and by sheer luck not only did they survive, they now find themselves thriving on the music that continues to energize each new generation... Read »

by Matt Baamonde.
During the past few years, Fall Out Boy has literally exploded over the pop music landscape. They've earned their keep by spending hard time on the road, building their music, giving it muscle and gathering a global network of fans. They hit pay dirt in 2005 with their breakout CD, From Under The Cork Tree. That early Fall Out Boy album ramped up to #1 on the Billboard Charts, gained momentum and went triple platinum, earning the group a 2006 Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Next up for the goup was, Infinity on High, released in 2007. Infinity debuted at #1, before going platinum a month later. Beyond their music, Fall Out Boy is recognized as a brilliant marketing team. Their strategy included rolling out a plan to show up in Antarctica for a show, but was stalled due to stormy weather... Read »

by Steven Rosen.
The year is 1983. Six albums ago (including the one yet to be released), Van Halen, the group, released its first record - Van Halen. It was dramatic, intense and bold. Within the 11 tracks was a feeling of "This is an important statement." It was. The energy, passion and technique of guitarist Edward Van Halen set the band apart from hordes of others, and now with the Pasadena-raised quartet about to release its sixth record, it is obvious that Edward stands as the main catalyst of the electric guitar's ascendancy in the '80s. Still staggering from the effects of the US Festival (1983), Van Halen sits in his home nestled in the Hollywood Hills feeling bitter about the performance. Ultimately, the show will be viewed as one of the grandest rock 'n' roll fests in history, but in the following conversation guitarist Van Halen clears the cobwebs, sheds real light on the concert, and describes the work thus far on the band’s upcoming album. This one will be called 1984... Read »

by Matt Baamonde.
Nearly all of today’s blues-rock guitarists are Hendrix influenced to some degree. Few, however, are capable of developing a destinctive, ethereal, almost 'otherworldly' tone combined with the tasteful phrasing that characterizes Robin Trower's body of work. Once considered the heir apparent to Jimi, the ex-Procol Harum, Strat-wielding, English rocker blazed his own path over a long career. Trower has pulled his weight as a band member and on many occasions served as a band leader to plow new territory in the blues-rock fusion genre. Trower's sweeping and lush riffs on such masterful albums as Bridge of Sighs, Twice Removed from Tomorrow, Passion and other world-wide attention-getting albums have offered him a place alongside such luminary guitarists as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and others who have inspired guitar wannabes to pick up their guitars and play. Robin's signature sound is identifiable and unmistakably his own... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Arlen Roth, known to many as “The Master of the Telecaster,” recently released an album of classic rock songs and a couple of originals, entitled Toolin’ Around Woodstock. Along for the ride were friends Levon Helm, Bill Kirchen, Sonny Landreth, daughters Lexie Roth and Amy Helm, and more. The special edition release includes a bonus DVD of studio views, conversations, and performances, filmed at Levon Helms’ studio in Woodstock, New York. Over the past thirty years, the name Arlen Roth has been associated with global guitar instruction, to the point of overshadowing his status as a prominent touring musician and recording artist. In addition to a long running, prominent column in Guitar Player magazine (known as “Hot Guitar”) and numerous authoritative instructional books, in the late '70s he started one of the most successful guitar instruction enterprises of all time... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Performing alongside the likes of Jimmy Rogers, Jimmy Dawkins and Willie Smith certainly assisted Chicago’s Nick Moss in becoming a genuine Chicago bluesman. However, genuine is genuine, and that level of adeptness doesn’t come easy. Having been fermented and embedded into his soul, the music eventually solidified into an adoring passion that he doesn’t take lightly. Originally a bass player, Nick switched to guitar at the request of Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. The Muddy Waters drummer realized, when their touring guitarist suddenly departed, that it would be much easier to educate a new bass player than a new guitarist, as Nick was quite adept at both anyway. He’s never looked back since, because in due course the six-string instrument grew to be his natural comfort zone for performing... Read »

More feature stories... »

(August 31, 2007) A story just published by the Kalamazoo Gazette claims that Heritage Guitar may soon be sold. Says the Gazette article: "'We're selling it,' said Marvin Lamb, one of four co-owners. Lamb started with Gibson in 1956 and was the factory's superintendent from 1974 until Gibson left for Nashville, Tenn." Lamb is also quoted in the article saying he thinks the company will most likely remain in Kalamazoo, but will know for sure "in a few days." According to the company's website, "Heritage has not closed its doors indefinitely. During the last week there have been many meetings to deal with how to structure the company to deal with its large amount of backorders. During the period these meetings are taking place, we have turned on our answering machine."

(August 2, 2007) The 23rd Cartier International Polo took place with 25,000 people descending on the centre court of Polo; Smiths Lawn. This prestigious annual polo tournament is the pinnacle of the English summer season and is held in the manicured grounds of Windsor Great Park at the Guards Polo Club. This year England took on the highly respected Chilean team which was sponsored by Gibson Guitar for the coveted Coronation Cup. This was the fourth year Gibson Guitar sponsored the visiting team and the second victory for the Chileans following their win against England back in 2004. Info and photos »

(July 30, 2007) To help readers navigate through the number of articles related to the 2007 Summer NAMM Show, Modern Guitars presents a coverage guide with article summaries and links. Check back often as more stories will be added. For those interested in the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, a similar guide can be found here.

(May 15, 2007) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has named Jason Padgitt to the newly established position of Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Padgitt joins Fender's communications team of Jason Farrell and Jeff Owens after more than ten years of successful experience with the entertainment PR firm Rogers & Cowan. “The addition of Jason Padgitt and the overall expansion of our communications team is proof of our commitment to improved communications at Fender,” said Andy Rossi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and R&D. “As a leading brand, we have important messages and we want to be heard and clearly understood around the world.” Press release »

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