The Life of Kid Grayson (part 1)

WHEN VENGEANCE COMES, THERE WILL BE RESPECT AND LIFE GIVEN,

WHEN THE VENGEANCE COMES, THEY WILL CEASE THE SMILES AND STAND,

WHEN VENGEANCE COMES JESUS WILL LEAVE THE ROOM IN DISGUST,

WHEN VEGEANCE COMES LIFE TURNS TO RUST..DIRTY..BLOODY RUST.

"THE LIFE OF KID GRAYSON"

by BARRY MILLER

ONE

His name is Grayson Mayfield, a tall boy of seventeen years. He sits by his father who was said to have killed a man some ten years before this night because his Daddy was drunk and mean. He got over being drunk in about a day but he kept the mean. The boy like his father is quiet. He possesses long fingers and arms, good for guitar work. He was close to drunk one night when he took three quick drinks of Daddy’s whiskey while he was playing down at the local joint. He likes the taste. He has seen the mean side of life already in his young age. He is known to fight when cornered and has been suspended from school for fighting. Some boys there said things about his Daddy.

(get the entire book HERE)

'GUITAR GODS: Eric Roche''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Thursday, March 17 2005 @ 14:57:58 GMT

 
(Editor's note: This interview took place in early 2005, and was published March 2005. Everything was looking up for Eric, but by the end of summer, his cancer took a turn for the worst and he died September 6, 2005.)

Eric Roche is not a well-known name outside of acoustic fingerstyle circles, but it should be. He is among the most eclectic, versatile, and gifted guitarists walking the planet.
 
The following interview took place last year, and since then the book "The Acoustic Guitar Bible" (complete with forward by fellow "Guitar Gods" interviewee Tommy Emmanuel) has been released to lavish praise, and Eric has performed to even more astonished audiences...audiences spell-bound by his amazing technique and beautiful music.

Performer, composer, instructor...Eric writes a regular fingerstyle column in the international magazine, "Acoustic Magazine", "Guitar Techniques", and "Guitarist". He is head of guitar at The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) in Guildford, is also author of numerous books, and has given workshops & master-classes all over the world. You can get loads of info, hear soundclips, and more at his web-site, so surf over for a visit. It's well worth your time!

Check it out!

'GUITAR GODS: Nick Martinelli''

- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
Originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Wednesday, March 16 2005 @ 13:32:50 GMT 

Nick Martinelli is a wicked guitar player, instructor, web designer, and owner of the extreme guitar site, The Shred Zone!

While Nick's guitar playing skills are considerable, most of the press he receives is due to his company, Net Fusion Designs, (he's created sites for Rusty Cooley, TD Clark, German Schaus, and other shredders) and his instructional shred-site, The Shred Zone, which has thousands of daily visitors interested in improving their guitar technique.

I had a chance to speak to Nick last year - check it out!

The DRUMMER SESSIONS - Steve DiMartino

- Barry Miller



I PICKED STEVIE DI, AS I KNOW HIM, FOR MY FIRST DRUMMER SESSION. WHY? BECAUSE HE IS THE EXEMPLAR, THE MODEL, THE MOLD, OF ALL DRUMMERS I KNOW. HE IS WHAT DRUMMERS NEED TO BE OR SHOULD BE, IN MY OPINION. HE IS THE MONSTER ON THE MUPPET SHOW. HE IS THE FIRE BEHIND THE BAND THAT BURNS THE GROOVE. HE IS THE DRUMMER WHO MAY CALL OUT A BASS PLAYER BECAUSE HE IS MISSING THE GROOVE; BUT HE WILL PROBABLY DO IT WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE - ONCE.

HE IS THE DRUMMER WHO STARTED AS A KID BECAUSE HE HAD THE PASSION, THAT
INTANGIBLE TRAIT THAT SETS THE GOOD DRUMMERS AND MUSCIANS APART FROM THE REST OF US.

''GUITAR GODS: Chris Poland''

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 15 2005 @ 14:59:10 GMT

If you are a fan of Megadeth, you need no introduction to Chris Poland - the man who ripped out half the guitar work for the band along with founder Dave Mustaine. You've heard his playing on the classics "Peace Sells...but Who's Buying?", "Devil's Island", and more, and know all about his flowing, legato style. Then again, you might know Chris as the west coast fusion player instead, who tore through the clubs 20 years ago with his band The New Yorkers.

If you're new to Chris Poland, you might only have heard his amazing work with Damn the Machine or his solo project or maybe his main gig, OHM:. Even many a Poland fan don't know about the wide scope of his career, but Chris Poland is pouring out fresh ideas faster than they can be recorded.

Learn all about Chris at his web-site! I had the chance to speak with Chris recently - check it out!

''GUITAR GODS: Neil Zaza''

- David :Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Monday, March 14 2005 @ 02:36:28 GMT


Neil Zaza is an amazing player who has been a staple on the guitar hero scene for over a decade. He has performed across the globe, holds more endorsements than you can shake a stick at, has released 8 solo albums and is featured on 2 compilations, and has shared the stage with the like of Joe Satriani, and was recently featured at the NAMM All-Star Jam, hitting the stage with Nuno Bettencourt, Tom Morello, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, and more!

Neil's playing is lightning fast and he knows every trick in the book, but the prime element is how melodic and soulful he can be. Give a listen to his new disc, "Melodica", and you'll be astonished with his lyrical approach to instrumental guitar music! Tracks like the opener, "On With the Show", the gorgeous title track, or the quiet "Good-Bye" will have you asking why Neil's face doesn't grace the cover of every guitar magazine across the globe with more regularity!

SDML Instructors Speak: 10 Best Live Albums of All Time!

We'll have an on-going series from SDML certified guitar instructors talking about all manner of music trivia (and non-trivia). Thought we'd start light-hearted but controversial (hahaha!). What "best of..." list isn't? So I asked several of our instructors this question, and I give you lists from Cris, Davey P, JD, Luke, Matt, Paul, Tim, and yours truly below....with wrap-up at the end.

Should be noted that opinions vary greatly...and often! Meaning, most of these guys would have handed me a different list if I'd asked 2 weeks before or if you ask them 2 weeks from now. No worries - nothing in stone and nothing sacred. We march on.....

Donna Lee

"Donna Lee" by Elizabeth Beck
Living With Memories - elizbeck.blogspot.com

-for Almira

''GUITAR GODS: Ron 'Bumblefoot' Thal''

- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music
Date: Tuesday, March 08 2005 @ 13:26:28 GMT
 
(editor's note: Ron has since gone on to join Guns-n-Roses)

Ron Thal. They call him, affectionately, "Bumblefoot". He is a god of the underground rock guitar scene, fusing heavy rock sounds with all manner of esoterica, experimenting effortlessly with weird harmonies, blazing speed, odd sounds, near-criminal abuse of his gear....

In The Neighborhood

 - Elizabeth Beck
Living With Memories -  elizbeck.blogspot.com

 










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