New Gear Reviews Coming...

It has been quite some time since I have posted a gear review so I have a few that are coming your way in the next few days. My first review will be covering the Fender Stratocaster '56 Relic and the Fender Nocaster '51 Relic. I also have a new Gibson Les Paul '58 VOS that will be up for review in the next few days. The Dr. Z MAZ 18 and 38 will be covered as well. These are a couple of my absolute favorite amps! They sound great with any guitar and are amazingly portable. So, check back soon!

Fender Contest...Help Us Out!!!

So April and I are involved in another contest and we need your vote! You can watch our video below:

And sign up for our fan club here...

Practice! This Ain't Guitar Hero!

For the past couple of years, more and more people have been getting into Guitar Hero. If you don't know what that is, I will do my best to fill you in. GH is simply a video game in which the player tries to hit buttons on a toy guitar/controller in time with a popular song...or some metal song no one has ever heard of. You might think that as an actual guitar player, I would really dig this game. Well, honestly, it is fun and I have had a great time playing it on a few occasions. However, I have noticed that many GH fanatics seem to believe they are actual guitar virtuosos. The ironic truth is that most GH masters could easily excel at the real guitar if they put as much time into practicing as they do playing Guitar Hero. Over the years I have had my share of video game binges. Those days of trying to get to the "next level" where one minute I am eating lunch and the next it is midnight have occurred more often than I would like to admit. In fact, when I got my first guitar, the year was 1988. That Christmas, my father hooked me up with an incredible Gibson L6 that was the coolest guitar I had ever seen. Unfortunately, I also received a couple of new games for my game system (NES old school...because I am really old!). The Gibson was cool looking but it did not offer the instant gratification of the Legend of Zelda 2, so I opted for the game while my poor guitar rested in the corner of my room gathering dust. I recall taking a total of two lessons. I had to memorize some chords and play them for the teacher while he just jammed and tried to show me how sweet he was as a jazz guitarist. BTW, he had a light purple Strat, so I was already turned off before he even played a note. Needless to say, I quit my lessons and went right back to my Nintendo. Instead of callouses on my fingers, I quickly developed blisters on my thumbs from playing so much! The old NES was way cooler to play than the Gibson my dad had given me, but I still longed to be a guitar player. It was just too boring!

So how did I finally put down the controller and pick up the 6-string? Well, by a total miracle some friends asked me to play in their band. I was so pumped but I knew I had no idea what I was doing on the guitar, so I tried the bass. I thought it would be easier. I was wrong. Fortunately, the drummer also knew how to play bass and was kind enough to teach me the songs. He also let me borrow his black Squire P-bass that I loved. From that point on, I never really played many video games. I love the occasional Nintendo Wii battle against my daughter but the guitar and music in general is where I feel alive. It is a gift that God has given me and I am so grateful for it.

Please don't get me wrong. I am not saying that video games are horrible and that Guitar Hero should be banned. I believe quite the opposite. GH has turned a whole new generation on to the guitar and I am thankful for that. I am simply saying that we need the next actual guitar hero to come forward. I want to hear new music that makes me wonder how someone is doing that with the same 6-strings that I am playing. GH has its place as a fun way to pass some time or blow off steam, but it can never take the place of an actual creative tool such as the guitar. That is why it is my job to encourage students and make the guitar fun! If it is not fun, we will make it that way. It can be a challenge to play this wonderful instrument, but we guitar players can't ever give up! There is so much to be done with that plank of wood that people have not yet accomplished. Who knows, maybe you are the next Edge or Eric Clapton. You will never know until you jump in and let that guitar talk to you. So, keep trying or start trying! Have fun and NEVER give up! Until next time guys and gals.

Instrumental Tracks Available!!!

Instrumental tracks have now been uploaded to my Garageband site! Scroll down on this page and look to the left-hand column for the link! Email me with any and all questions. Have fun my brothas and sistas! I'm off to play a show tonight with April. Later.

Video of one of my Relic Customs...

This is a customer of mine playing a guitar that a distressed for him. It is a 1952 Fender Relic Reissue made in the USA.

Instructional Videos...

Hey guys and girls! Due to the busy holiday schedule, I have not posted any new videos. What can I say? My little girl keeps me on my toes this time of year with all of her activities! Anyway, I will be getting some new videos up very soon. Keep practicing and having fun. Remember, never hesitate to text or email me with any questions you may have. See you all this week!

M