GHS "Boomers" Van in Downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota

I just happened to be in the right place at the right time to snap a picture of the ghs "Boomers" van that was parked (in the incorrect direction I must add) in downtown Minneapolis, Minn.  I love the tribute to the white on black Stratocaster.. and since I just picked up a Starcaster of the same color, I was feeling inspired by the van... 

Diary of a Journeyman Guitar-Player ~ My Wife Likes this Guitar!!!

I've considered adding a 10th guitar to my collection.  So, the last time I was at the music store with my wife, she actually picked this out...Here is sort of how it happened...my wife looked around the store looking for the guitar she found to be the prettiest.  Of course the pretty ones are expensive, and this one will run about $600.  Well, I'm going to keep my on it...

...I do like the finish, and the wood is nice.  I need to sit down with it and play it a few times to see if I like the way it handles...

But, it would be a nice addition to the family...

The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo...Is that Cool or What?!!

Post coming soon...

Journal of a Journeyman Guitar-player: Recital at Captial Guitars

Here's couple of pictures of the guitar recital at Capital Guitars on Saturday, November 20, 2010.  I was one of the strummers that evening, playing an all acoustical rendition of "Norwegian Wood."  However, given my son's new tastes in music, I think next time I would play this version of "Elmo's Song" (just kidding...maybe).  It was funny when Jack, my guitar teacher, told the small crowd that I had played internationally after playing in my brother's wedding...hmm, I guess this show has been on the road.  In total, there were seven performers that night ranging from classical guitar to self-written grunge songs played by a 12 year old on vintage 1950's Gibson... 

There was great sorbet punch...which would have been great with some Jamaican rum (I wasn't the first one to say THAT...).  It was nice set up.

The wall of guitars that puts my collection to shame...there are couple on that wall that wish were hanging on mine.

The staging area...Jack, the guitar instructor, help get the equipment set.  This young guy ended up playing a version of "Flight of the Wounded Bubblebee."  When he started to play, my son started spinning around in circles like the themed character in the song.

"Flight of the Wounded Bubblebee"

One of the owners...Eric...watching the performers...and passing out the best wish list ever:

I'm adding the Les Paul below and this guitar to the wish list!!!

An ode to the Les Paul that I can appreciate...when I was in Jamaica this month, I pickedup a painting that could compete with this one...Later, Jack played a jazz version of "My Life" by the Beatles...it is definitely a metric to measure my distance on this guitar journey.

My Guitar...Then

My first electric guitar was a Peavy.  It was the '80's when the hot colors were in, and this wood and black model was out:

I just didn't like the wood and the way the black pick guard rapped around the guitar on the bottom.  It had a great sound...from what I remember...

A Reminder to those on the Guitar Driven Journey to Keep Practicing

I love Minneapolis!  As I was heading back to NoMi from a picking up "this and that" (which means 'beer and beef'), I warmly greeted by this billboard .. an homage to journeyman guitar-players.  For me, its less about the "adhesive" and more of a remind to keep practicing! 

Happy Father's Day to the NoMi Dads!

I just want to say "Happy Father's Day" to all the NoMi Dads out there!  It has been so uplifting to hear the folks on the street greeting each other with this salutation.  I truly have been fortunate to join the ranks of fatherhood and now, with my son's first father's day gift in hand, I join the other fathers in receiving the traditional "Father's Day" gift of the THE TIE.  I have truly joined the club. 

My son also gave me an awesome card that featured the Picasso painting "Guitar 'I love Eva'."  An homage to all the Journeyman Guitar-playing dads...