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Report on Winter NAMM 2005
January 28, 2005
Well, I am back from California. Once again NAMM was just an excuse for me to get out of my shop. I could never figure out what NAMM was supposed to accomplish. Its very expensive for the exhibitors and it is not really possible to really play any instruments or even talk very much. Its noisy and crowded. The Major companies do not need any dealers and are not looking for any. They can communicate with existing dealers outside of NAMM. The small and startup companies don't get much interests or even exposure so that leaves me wondering what the purpose of it all is. Its not even as wild and flashy as it was in the past. Some may even say its boring. Now, if they let in the public at least one of the days like they do in Frankfurt and if they allowed for sales right at the booths, then it would become an interesting and worthwhile event. Turn it into a giant flee market, isn't that what its all about. It ultimately is about the customers, the end users. Without them all the big shots would be driving cabs.
What's really shocking to see is that a very few companies. Gibson, Fender and Yamaha come to mind that virtually own the whole industry and all of the major brands.
Eli has this to say:
H how was NAMM? Or should I say how EVIL was NAMM? I am part of a couple recording forums and such and all the pros basically say that NAMM has nothing to do with professional level work. The actual professional market is just a tiny little fraction of the biz and as a result NAMM is just marketing to people who do not do any serious work and are just looking to blow $$ and talk about gear instead of really being either professional or creative. So NAMM just gives salespeople talking points. -EliYes, this is an accurate description. Most people at NAMM are not musicians and don't even care about music really. Its just the business they are in. It could really be any other business, they wouldn't care. I am mainly talking about the larger and most successful companies. They are the ones who have little connection to the actual music. The smaller unknown companies are usually found in the basement, the "freak show basement". That is usually where they stay year after year, if they make it back the second year. If I displayed at NAMM, I would most likely be in the freak show basement and its where I belong anyway.
Bobby Simcox to my regret did not come to NAMM this year. He said something like he was always uncomfortable there. He said its just a facade. He noticed that there is an inordinate amount of fake optimism and pretension. He said its more of an artificial environment of what music store people would like to pretend the music business is like, but it only lasts for 4 days. Bobby summed it up as "Disneyland for music store owners".
I did see Bobby however. We landed in San Francisco a week prior to NAMM and Bobby came right over to the hotel room and brought me a very nice old guitar I always wanted. He did me a great favor and personally picked up this vintage archtop, which I had purchased from a seller in the SF are. I was too leery about paying for it before someone seeing it first. Bobby checked it out for me and I trusted him. He even paid for it out of his own pocket and for that I owe him an Z2-8 string. This archtop guitar is from 1952 and was very hard to actually get. There were too many complications involved and I could not have gotten it if it wasn't for Bobby. It was a stressful experience and it even caused Bobby to start smoking again. I hope he quit again and for good this time.
Here is a bit of personal info I found out about Bobby. He goes to sleep at 6 AM and wakes up at 1 PM and he only eats once a day (I will not tell you where he eats but its a popular restaurant chain in CA).NAMM brings out many idiots, like a long time Guitar Player writer and editor, who one year was drooling over and kissing butt at the Brian Moore Guitars booth. I overheard the conversation and made the comment, "its too bad they are all plastic and feel and sound like plastic as well". He gave me the most sour look and wondered who the hell I was.
I have a whole bunch of cards which read "Zachary, Guitars with Balls" on them but I never remember to bring them. When I ran into some really intellectually deprived individuals I scribbled my website on a piece of paper and gave it to them without too much explanation. I am sure they will be freaked out if they find this site. I just like to educate sometimes.
As I am walking around I run into things and don't even know where I am. I usually see these long lines and I don't know where they lead. There was this one long line and I also heard people talking on a PA system inside this covered big black booth the size of a house. I heard the unmistakable voice of Carlos Santana. He is unmistakable because he is very spiritual when he talks. Like listening to a native medicine man. He was explaining the religious experience he has every time he picks up a PRS guitar. How these guitars transcend all mortal expectations of what a guitar should be and how the heavenly tones will transform anyone to find their inner voice and elevate their soul to a new spiritual level, or something like that. Only the press was allowed into the both so everyone was listening from the outside. Dave Navarro and Mark Tremonti (who I am not familiar with, since I am grew up in the 70s), echoed Santana's experience with their own emotional stories and they all said that finding the PRS guitar had changed their lives completely and they could not even image being without one. Is it just me? I was really confused and felt lonely in that crowd of mesmerized followers. Then Paul Smith himself gave a speech and said that PRS did 25 million dollars worth of business last year, the overseas business being very strong with the three main countries being UK, Germany and Japan. Are you listening Ludwik? After this I got really sick and looked for the bathroom.
Well that experience was quite intense. 25 million is too mind boggling for me to even comprehend. Its freaky when both God and 25 million dollars are mentioned in the same speech. This really must be one hell of a guitar, they must have literally hundreds of endorsers who play it simply for the love of that guitar and because of how amazing it is. Just like the customers of Zachary Guitars but multiplied hundreds of times. Am I right? I am not sure if that was 25 million in the US, overseas, or total. What does it matter. I am sure they must have spent 24 million on advertising alone. I will never pay anyone to play one of my guitars. That would be false advertising and deception although many would actually fall for it.
Soon after I ran into another long line. Again, I wondered what this was all about. I don't stand in any of these lines, so I went to the front and guess what, I saw both Steve Vai and Joe Satriani sitting there on stools signing pieces of paper. I have to mention that Vai looks very menacing. He is a strange sight, with his tall skinny body, black long hair, aged dominant features, his attire, just the whole package is theatrical. I hear he is strict vegetarian. He looks like a scary witch. Very much like someone in costume on Halloween night. I think he is sort of intimidating for people to approach but that gives him the image of being a star. He gives off an aura of theatrics and looks like he stepped off the stage from a Shakespeare play. He must be dramatic in concert because of his dramatic appearance, it helps.
His brother Joe Satriani is quite the opposite. He is shorter and comical in appearance. He has a bald head so he always wears a hat. Why shave your head and not show it off? If I had a bald head I would show the world, especially the Dean girls in the next booth. His smile is cartoon-like and unlike Vai, he looks like someone you could just chat with on the street. His hat made him even funnier. It was a type of beech hat or something. Totally opposite to Vai who would be too intimidating to approach. I can hardly believe they are brothers. They must be. They are always together aren't they? Or could it be that they are married? They are both from SF after all. I wonder if that means anything.
Speaking of Vai and Satriani what really bugs me about NAMM is seeing celebrity or at least accomplished players enforcing and praising really crappy guitars. I can understand them choosing good stuff to get paid to play but when they settle for crap just for the money, I am sad to see that and wonder what drives them to such desperation. I really feel like giving Vai and Satriani some descent guitars. They are top players and those artificial things are way beneath them. I even saw much nicer stuff in the Ibanez booth. They deserve some very nice resonant instruments. Take the chrome plating off Joe. Steve I once saw one of your guitars in a music store and the paint was chipped off and I was shocked at how thick that plastic was. Strip it all off. Get those Japs to make you something descent. They sure have the resources, you made them rich. I am just trying to help.
Next I met Michael Angelo at the Dean Guitars booth. He does not look like a regular middle aged guy and Bobby told me that he is both a phenomenal player and a freak show at the same time. I heard Angelo talk about some guy who actually clocked him and he is the fastest player ever. I had never seen or heard him play and was hoping to watch him play but Michael Angelo said that NAMM does not allow him to play any longer because he attracts crowds that are too big. Even bigger crowds than the Dean girls? Actually those girls look as fake as all those Polyester finishes on 99% of guitars at the show including the ones in the Dean booth. I also scribbled my website address for Michael Angelo and he said that he will check it out but warned me that he only plays Dean "because he loves them". I can't argue with that. I am not trying to sell him a guitar. If he wanted one he would have to buy one. I just want to enlighten him. Seeing new things does not hurt anyone. He may even find out he is missing something but then again, how can I compete against a Dean.
This time I checked out more guitars than I usually do. All I can say is that every major brand has their own PRS. Now you can buy a PRS from every company big or small. Complete with the grossly figured tops, the terrible feeling necks with the huge gross heels and the thick plastic paint. After all, this is what people want, isn't it? They even get spiritual about it. I believe that someone in the market for a PRS-tyle guitar would be quite confused about what to buy. The other thing I can tell you is since cheap guitars and ultra expensive boutique guitars are made on the same CNC machines and virtually constructed the same way, they are the same guitars but with different names on them. In terms of quality, the differences have totally vanished. It used to be that a cheap guitar was very different from an expensive guitar. No longer, they are all identical now. This is why many of the Epiphones are better than Gibson at 1/3 the price. So make sure you don't spend more than $500 when buying mass produced guitar because its all the same stuff. Another interesting thing is that Fender and Gibson have it all backwards. Their Custom Shop models should really be their regular line at regular prices.
So much for NAMM. Each year it is getting more and more boring. Speaking of colorful characters, I even missed seeing Ed Roman this year. He was at the show I hear but his huge motorhome and Vegas-style, long white limousine (with pictures of flashy guitars on it) were nowhere to be found. I did see his limo driving around but they were no longer parked in front of the Hilton. They must not have allowed him to do it this year. NAMM used to be colorful. I believe it should be like the Porn Convention in Los Vegas. Maybe I will go to that next year instead. The Porn convention and NAMM should be one in the same.
Lake Tahoe, California 2005The highlight of NAMM for me is always the night at the Hilton where a lady who I think is so hot holds her All Star Guitar Night. Muriel Anderson, the sexiest lady at NAMM is also one of the best guitar players I ever heard. I say this because I just find women who play guitar totally sexy? No Dean girl can touch her. How about if a girl plays better then you? I am struggling with that one myself. Something to think about.
Muriel Anderson is phenomenal. Most of us mortals write a composition every few months or every few years if we are lucky. She is just unstoppable, music just flows from her. She must have such a repertoire its not even funny. She has such control of that instrument and can make it sound like anything she wants. Its always mesmerizing to watch her play. At times like this I fell such anger against guitar magazines who virtually ignore these great players. They should be on the cover of every issue, instead of some looser like Sheryl Crow or something. Guitar Player Magazine, shame on you. You should dig a hole and bury yourself for not showing these great players so that everyone can know about them.
I remember last year Muriel Anderson played a piece she wrote which showcased the instruments in a bluegrass band. She made her classical guitar sound like a banjo, mandolin and maybe even a fiddle. It was amazing. This year she wrote a piece while in Japan and she made her nylon string sound totally like a traditional Japanese instrument.She had a great lineup this year.
Kaki King
You ever heard of this young woman? She is in her twenties and is amazing. Most of us don't realize how good women can be when playing the guitar. I remember seeing Liona Boyd some 20 years ago and was blown away. I didn't even think women could play the guitar before then.
Kaki is an exciting guitarist/composer with an impressive style all her own that includes thumping basslines and tapping melodies. Kaki King played several tunes but the show stopper was the last composition where she played the guitar like a piano with her hand inverted. She was tapping and slapping and it looked impressive. This is a very accomplished pro player who is a true natural. She already has her own CD on Sony. You will hear more of her I am sure. www.kakiking.comMonte Montgomery
Monte is an acoustic wild man. He looks like the regular slob next door but can he play like a maniac and sings too. He has an old beat up acoustic which is refreshing after seeing all these endorsers of mega dollar acoustics by Taylor, Martin, Breedlove, etc. Even acoustic these days have figured wood, they too caught the PRS disease. Monte is very intense when he plays, which hits you right in the soul. www.montemontgomery.comLaurence Juber
I hear that as a young working musician in London, England in the 1970s, Laurence Juber got an extraordinary, life-changing break when Paul McCartney hand-picked him to become Wings lead guitarist on their last tour I believe. Juber spent three years recording and touring the world with the band, and during that time he also won a Best Rock Instrumental Grammy Award for the track "Rockestra" from the Wings album Back To The Egg. After Wings disbanded in 1981, Juber embarked on a career as a solo artist, composer and arranger, and soon developed a reputation as a world-class guitar virtuoso, recently being voted #1 by Fingerstyle Guitar magazine. He has released 10 critically acclaimed solo albums, including "LJ Plays the Beatles" and his latest, "Guitarist."
This guy is definitely overqualified as a guitar player. He is Muriel Anderson's male counterpart. Music and new compositions just flows from him. He played a new composition which of course blew me away but its just natural for him. It was both beautiful and technical at the same time. I can just imagine what it would be like if Juber was married to Muriel Anderson. What a guitar couple that would make. Sort of like Satriani and Vai I guess. http://www.laurencejuber.comArtie Traum & Friends
I did not know much about Artie but heard his name many times over the years. He has very tasteful and warm sounding music. Blues oriented folk is how I would classify it. Artie Traum played with virtually everyone and has been featured on many major label releases. He had a great band with a very good Dobro slide player and a bass player playing an original Steinberger. Very impressive This isn't flashy technical oriented stuff just great solid playing which never goes out of style. www.artietraum.comJames Burton with Jeff Burton, Nokie Edwards and Seymore Duncan
These guys really played up a storm. Three Tele's and one Mosrite-style guitar on stage all twanging away doing Elvis and Ventures style rock & roll.
I haven't seen James Burton for 25 years after I saw some Elvis concert footage on TV in the seventies. He is now an old guy but in great shape. He is as you know a Telecaster wizard and could imagine him playing my new F1.
James Burton has been in the recording business for 45 years and he needs no introduction. He has played with the best acts in the business - Elvis, Rick Nelson, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, The Everly Brothers, Frank Sinatra, Emmylou Harris, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Costello and Johnny Cash and - more. James has more performed on more than 300 albums during the course of his career. As I mentioned he is also well-known for his Telecaster sound. His son Jeff Burton also played with him. Jeff is also a very talented person. Plays great Telecaster as his dad and sings great as well. Jeff Burton sang Elvis' part when they played the song "Chain Gang" (I believe is what its called). I talked to Jeff about Telecasters a bit after the show, great guy.
Seymore Duncan played his old Tele with humbuckers in it. This is his personal instrument. Seymore plays a mean guitar himself and plays with his fingers, not a pick. I talked to him the next day at his booth, complimented him on his playing and told him I fixes up the Tele, I am not sure he knew what I meant to say.Nokie Edwards
Nokie Edwards also played with James Burton and friends this night. He is best-known for his work with the legendary instrumental group The Ventures. Playing lead with The Ventures, Nokie has been a part of some of the best-known themes of all time. He has been playing guitar since the age of 5, professionally since the age of twelve. I am not too familiar with the Ventures music but when when I heard a signature tune they played, I knew it right away. It immediately transported me back to the 60s. Man what great music they had back then. I could identify those instrumental solo lines immediately. This is another old guy who plays a mean guitar. Great to see and hear that experience. He has been at it a few years. www.nokie-edwards.comSteve Bailey
You say you haven't heard of Steve Bailey, well you have not seen bass guitar playing until you have seen this freak show of a guy. Imagine a six string fretless bass being played like a guitar. This is a very technical player who can do anything on his instrument and I mean anything. Puts guitar players to shame. Just an amazing talent. He must be one of the best bass players in the world.
After Steve played a few solos it got even more unbelievable. He invited two of his friends up on stage. One was also a young bass player playing a six string fretted bass and the other was an awesome young jazz drummer. This one long jazz fusion composition was like it was from outer space. Three aliens who had just landed were doing all this extraordinary gymnastics and pyrotechnics on 6 string basses and drums. Imagine one fretless 6 string and one fretted 6 string trying to outdo each other. The drummer then took a solo as well with just as much intensity. Enough to piss your pants. www.stevebaileybass.comJohnny A.
This is a guy who I could identify with the most. All I can say is that its all in his fingers. His touch is extraordinary. He can get so much emotion out of his fingers. He played his hollowbody signature guitar from Gibson, through a pair of Marshall combos in stereo. He also had an extensive pedal board. He was really rockin' out. He even played a Hendrix medley which was unreal. Voodoo Child, Little Wing and others all mixed into one tune. This guy can play and goes from totally clean mellow to melt down overdrive in the same tune. Just an amazing player. He played with his trio of bass and drums. He is a mixture of country and rock but like I said, it does not matter what he plays its all in his delicate touch and the guitar sings for him. He is a down to earth guy and sets up his own equipment before the show.
He was by the stage after the show and I had a few words with him and scribbled my website down for him as well. I got to remember to bring those cards next time. Johnny A seemed interested when I told him what I do. Needless to say, he is qualified to get a Zachary Guitar any time.
I rushed out and bought both of his CD's the next day but he does not come across on the recording as well as he does live. The intensity and even the tone is not quite there. Make sure you don't miss this guy live if he comes to your town and try to sit in the first row to see his fingers. You must see him in concert. I am still shaking from this experience. www.johnnya.comThere were several other friends of Muriel Anderson also invited to play. One was a female fiddler from Nashville and she was playing a tune with Muriel and the other was an old guy from Nashville who played a mean archtop, Gretch-style twang rockabily solo tune. Great stuff.
If this concert wasn't scary enough I had another interesting experience.
Since it was a full house at the Hilton, I decided to sit on the floor right in front of the stage. They allowed me to do this. I sat with the people filming the show. I was about 12 feet away from the players. I sat there for a while but noticed that about 6 seats in the first row were empty and looked like they were reserved for someone. They had yellow tape over them. Nobody sat in these seats the whole half of the show so after the intermission I decided, what the heck, I was going sit there. A few minutes later someone who works there told me that these seats are reserved for Steven. I thought, who the hell is Steven, so I just pushed over a bit to another seat. Then this huge menacing guy arrived in a kimono with a tall gorgeous oriental beauty. He started coming toward me and looked at me mean and impatient. He said something about these seats being reserved for him. He looked huge and scary and I still did not know who he was. I didn't thing he was anybody. Like I said, he had the most gorgeous oriental girl with him and I was more interested in her. She must have been about 20 and the likes of which you only see in the movies. She looked like a goddess. I say this purely as a compliment in wonder and with envy. So there was room for them and for myself and I sat beside them the whole second half of the show.
When James Burton came on before playing a note he said he would like to introduce a very close friend of his who is attending the show and is in the audience, his name is ......Steven Segal . My jaw just dropped to the ground and I was thankful he did not crush me earlier for sitting in his chair or for admiring the beautiful girl he was with. What an experience. Between this awesome looking girl and the awesome players on stage, I was pretty freaked out as if you can imagine.
Let me know if you want me to make you a guitar Steven. You have huge hands and those cramped vintage Fender necks must be torture for you. Also, I think a Stratocaster simply does not suit you at all. Now, a Zachary Z2 with a wide Samurai neck is totally you. I hear you are a serious player and I hope you join the others on stage next year like James Burton said you should.I just thought I would share my NAMM 2005 experience with everyone.
Just read your NAMM report, pretty funny stuff.
I remember meeting Steve Vai back before he developed his "persona" when he was just a regular guy wearing sweatpants and counting his pennies to buy music at the record store I worked at (seriously). Some time after that, he landed the David Lee Roth gig and went from being a "musician" (with Zappa) to being a "Rock Star" (with Diamond Dave) and it's been downhill for him ever since. His "image" is so atrocious that I cant even begin to consider listening to any of his mucis! (Hey, that was supposed to say "music"!)
One thing I thought was funny-when he played for Alcatrazz (just before the Roth gig), he had a big endorsement from Carvin, ads where he had five stacks of Carvin amps, right? I was looking at his website the other day, and it's got a picture of his "rig" from the Alcratrazz tour-and it's ALL Marshalls!!! You don't suppose he got PAID to stand in front of those Carvin amps for a couple of pictures, do you? (I understand Carvin actually gave him a mixing console as part of his payment...)
I've got some live Nokie Edwards stuff that just kills me! Had no idea he was so great until he came through Texas a couple years back. I've heard of some of the other players you mentioned, I'm looking forward to checking out the others. The fact that truly great players go unnoticed might mean big things are in store for me though!
The PRS thing still eludes me...I've always liked "nice wood" (being sort of an apprentice woodworker myself) but those guitars never seemed to be worth a damn. Plus that guy is soooo pretentious. I figure that the "religious experience" of owning a PRS (notice I didn't say "playing" a PRS), is akin to the "religious experience" you get from a televangelist-you gotta have faith-and even then, it's gonna cost ya.
Deans used to be great before the 80's came along and everything got painted hot pink! Remember, Dean himself sold out the company and wound up as a FURNITURE MANUFACTURER for several years before getting hired back on at his former company as a token luthier. Nonetheless, in their heyday, he was building some quality stuff, at least compared to the other junk on the market at the time.
So yeah, just hadda get my two cents in about NAMM, which I've always looked at as just another paid vacation for whatever industry you care to mention. Here in Austin we have SXSW which is a big phony music festival that preys on the hopes and dreams of unwitting aspiring musicians. Iit's a laugh as far as making any real connections but it's also a pretty good party soooo....and by the way, the Porn convention in Vegas IS the best of all conventions! It (coincidentally?) happens at the same time as the NAB (Nat'l Assoc of Broadcasters) convention, how convienient!
How about that new archtop? Looks pretty cool, now put it down and go back to building Zacharys!
Allright, take care, save some wood for my Z-2!
Still wearing sweatpants and counting my pennies, John "breakfastime" Hancock (Austin, Texas)
Report on Summer NAMM 2005
I just returned form Summer NAMM 2005 a few weeks ago and the show was a bust. Regardless of what you read anywhere, it was unexciting, both attendance and exhibitors were down severely and the whole thing just felt deserted. You could walk through the whole thing in 2 hours. Some of the big shots even boycotted this summer NAMM, protesting the move away from Nashville to Indianapolis. Gibson was one of these who did not show up. This is too bad because Indianapolis is very convenient for the show and its a nice city. Its clean and has a very friendly, almost cozy downtown. Great for walking around.
What does "A" stand for?
Walking around downtown is exactly what we did in the evening after the first day of this uninspiring show. I saw this large tent set up on the street and heard some music coming from it. I thought, here we go, some crappy local band. Then as I got closer I heard the sound of a Gretsch. That's a Gretsch, I said. I know a Gretsch when I hear it. Well, I was almost correct.
It turns out that if you had a NAMM badge you could walk in for free, watch the show and buy some beer. A free concert with some local band playing a Gretsch? Fine with me. The best concerts I ever attended were either free or cost only $5. As I got closer to the stage the playing sounded better and better. It was almost a Gretsch and guess who was playing it? The person I saw and told you about in January of this year, Jonny A. There was Johnny A. playing his hollow body Gibson signature guitar with a Bigsby.
The cool thing about these guitar concerts is that they are just wonderful if you are a serious guitar fanatic. They are quite unique in being able to watch great players do their thing. Another good thing is that you can squeeze yourself right to the front, so I sat on the ground about 10 feet away from the performers, looking straight up at them as they performed.
I wonder what the "A" stands for? He is such a toneful player and has such an organic tone. A natural and pure tone, not a processed sound as you hear in much of today's pop music. Some people have this organic sound. The epitome of this tone is Jeff Beck who plays without a pick even, just his fingers. Flesh against strings. This is the type of high quality tone I strive for in my guitars, amps and my playing.
So there was Jonnie A again. After the show I went to talk to him at his merchandise table. I told him we met and talked at the Winter NAMM. He did not remember me but as soon as scribbled my website on a piece of paper he said he did remember me. Again I told him what I do and encouraged him to go to my website as I did in January of this year. He politely agreed once again but I could tell that he did not take it seriously at all. I told him, I wanted to build him a guitar. He diplomatically said fine. I think he thought I would give him one for free or something like that and just tried to be polite. So I said to him, "I have a deal for you." I was curious as to what he would say. "I will build you a guitar as a straight trade for one of your signature Gibson guitars." His face immediately changed with objection. He said he would never do that. I was then puzzled at his reaction and asked why? Before waiting for him to answer I said, "I am sure you get those things for free anyway and I thought it would not be a bid deal for you". As hyper as I am I did not let him talk and started putting words in his mouth. I said, "I get it, you are under contract, right". He nodded. I then said, "fine, go visit my website anyway, I think you will find it entertaining". Again, I don't think he took me or my website seriously, and I am still not totally sure why he would not consider my guitars which he has never seen. He also has no idea that the Zachary hollowbodies are coming up. His loss.
I then told him that I have both of his CD's and I will put in a plug for him here anyway. He will have a DVD out in the fall that my be a good one, I don't know. Truthfully, don't bother with his CDs because he does not come through well recorded but I do recommend you check him out live for sure, you will really enjoy it. He even plays some Hendrix at his shows, in his own style. It is very unique these days to see a guy just sit on a stool and play guitar with great tone. I happy to see players like him even around. He is so good that he should be screwing Angelina Jolly of Cheryl Crow.
Check him out at: www.johnnya.comWe shall meet again Jonnie A. That is not a promise but a threat. Once you play a Zachary, there is no going back, no matter what Gibson is willing to pay.
The "Kid"
During the Jonnie A concert, I looked over behind the stage and could not believe my eyes. I saw "the kid". Uncle Fester sent me a link a few months ago of an amp manufacturer and there was a video on this website of this little kid demonstrating the amp with his awesome playing. It almost looks comical seeing a little kid play like he is a mature rock star. Its usually supposed to be just a bad impersonation seeing a young kid play but in this case its not. This kid is for real and its damn shocking. What was weird about it is that the kid looks really young and he plays like a pro. He is about 14, is really skinny and has long straight blond hair to his knees. He looks like a young girl. I would recommend that he cut his hair short and grow a beard instead. He may not be able to do that yet. When I was 14 I had just got a cheap department store guitar and was trying to figure out if I was supposed to play it with my left or right hand. I came very close to becoming a left handed player even though I am right handed. I never had any lessons so I had to figure all this out myself. Anyway, keep an eye out for this kid, he may be going places. He may even get to screw Angelina Jolly or Cheryl crow one day. Something most of us will never have the chance to do. I hope for his sake the world rediscovers guitar music because at this time most kids his age have never seen a guitar, nor do they want to. Sad world we live in when all I see is cool teenagers driving around with loud rap coming from their car speakers, instead of Led Zeppelin or AC/DC. I would have never thought this would happen, what a downfall for humanity in such a short time but that is a whole other discussion.
To my regret I missed seeing the Kid play. He was up first and I only got to the tent half way through Jonny A. So I then snuck back stage, which I was not supposed to do and after I spotted the kid all by himself I cornered him. I told him he plays great and told him that I make the best guitars in the world and that he should be playing my guitars. This is exactly what I said verbatim. I try never to be too direct because I know that offends people and I am always very conscious never to offend anyone. Its just my nature. He looked startled and surprised. Visibly frightened, not knowing who the hell I was, he was polite however. He must have thought I was a freak or some delusional nut who wondered in off the street.
Since I don't have any business cards, I also gave him a piece of paper with my website address I just scribbled on it and suggested that he check out my website. He nodded but did not really know what to think or say so I let him be and got out of there. I think I scared him.
Check out the kid here: www.nicksterling.com/audiovideo/Wizard2.WMV and here: http://www.nicksterling.com/Actually, I approach players rarely and I only approach the very good players. I do it, not to sell them any guitar but mainly for my own amusement at seeing their reaction to what I present them with. It also gives me an incite into the attitude and personalities of these players. I try to spook them, expand their minds, shock them and hopefully educate them. Most pro players are just as ignorant as the average guitar enthusiast so the Zachary message is strange to them. Pro players are also under pressure to make a living, which is not always easy, so a big part of their income is endorsements. They really need the money and cannot always pick and choose how they earn it. I approach them for fun really, not for business purposes. I don't even have any cards to give out.
Its Angelina and Cheryl who I would really like to meet. I hear Cheryl plays a mean guitars and I used to be a bicycle racer as well.The Roadie
There was a third performer on the bill. He was the headliner and I have never heard of him. Mainly because the shit guitar publications make sure they don't showcase anyone who they cannot make money on or has not paid them in some way. That's a whole other discussion again.
I read the name but never heard of this player. I wondered what he was doing headlining. You may not have heard of him either for the same reason. It did not sound like the name of a star anyway. I did not take it seriously and was going to leave the show, it was getting late. Then I saw a collection of about 20 guitars being brought to the side of the stage. This was starting to look serious, so I figured, I better stick around. His name was Joe something (some ethnic name). Not a good name, he would never make it in Hollywood. Then I saw a guy who looked very ordinary, no Brad Pitt, he was setting up the guitars, testing them and tuning them before the show. Just a roadie I thought. Then the roadie started playing a lick exactly like that of Eric Johnson. The same tone and everything. Wow, I thought, these roadies can play, maybe the roadie should be on stage playing the concert.
Without any warning, the show started and who I thought was the roadie was the dude himself. A wall of sound just hit me like a brick. This dude could play like no other. He was freaking amazing, with all the tone, feel and content you ever dreamed of. He is a dream player, very much like SRV and Hendrix were. He was blues but more of a rocker. It was heavy blues. I again took my spot right in front of him and below the stage at ground level. The guy was just a few feet away from me. I would go as far as to say this guy was better than SRV. His sound was heavier then SRV and like I said more of a rocker, yet still blues all the way. Just a natural born virtuoso. This made me think that there are very few good players today compared to a few decades ago but the few out there are better than most of the famous players before them. Today's players are also far less appreciated and make peanuts compared to those guitar stars of the 60s, 70s and 80s. Remember guitar stars in the past, they were all screwing the likes of Angelina and Cheryl, not any more. This guy had tremendous feel and great natural tone. It was true honest blues rock, none of this watered down processed pop playing. Just plugged into a tube amp and turned up. He was in your face all the way. A rocking SRV. He is from Austin TX as well, but needs to be better looking and needs a better name and he would be screwing Angelina Jolly in no time or at least Cheryl Crow.
You need to check out Joe Bonamassa, you will be amazed: http://www.jbonamassa.com/ and here: http://bonamassabluesrock.com/
The human equivalent of a PRS guitar. For sale at Guitar Center. I want it!
