"GUITAR GODS: 'Blind Dog' Gatewood"

I first experienced Blind Dog Gatewood a few years back at a multi-artist gig in Louisville, KY. By my reckoning, he stole the show. No one was expecting this mild-mannered guy to explode when he hit the stage...but he did. Exploded a delta-blues fury of strings, harmonica, and vocals that left the crowd stunned and amazed.

Hailing from Detroit, MI, Blind Dog has been a professional performer and guitar instructor all of his adult life. He is an award-winning one-man act who has polished his chops in places as diverse as the Sierra Foothills, the Mojave Desert, Mississippi Delta and the streets of New Orleans. In September 2002, he took the first prize in Colorado at the Telluride Acoustic Blues competition. First place winners are honored with a performance on the main stage the following day at the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival for over seven thousand attendees. That same year he won the Kentuckiana Blues Society’s Blues Challenge out of Louisville Kentucky and represented the Society at the International Blues Challenge on Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee. In 2004 “Blind-Dog” was a Finalist for the first Annual International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA) in the category of AMERICANA/ROOTS/AAA, for his song “TELLURIDE”. In addition, a Simi finalist in 2006 in the International Song Contest (ISC), Blues category, for his song “Monkey On My Back”.

"Guitar Gods: LIVE!" debut's with Diana Chittester

The Guitar Gods interview series has been trucking along since about 2002 when I took a decade old interview I had done with acoustic wizard Michael Hedges and began a series around it, featuring unknown gurus to Grammy Award winners, published at the now defunct Tinfoil Music Magazine.

Not too long ago, I transferred all the old interviews (except a few that were lost when Tinfoil died) to this magazine - Skinny Devil Magazine.

Now, the interview series comes to the concert stage.

That monthly live show is taped for our new "Guitar Gods: LIVE!" web series.

We kicked it off in April (International Guitar Month) with a 60 minute show that includes a single-song opening act followed by a guest, who goes through 20+ minutes of solo performance/clinic, a sit-down one-on-one interview (same questions asked in the print/web version of the series), another song, audience Q&A, and wrap up with either another song or a 2 guitar jam (me holding down the rhythm while they shine).

Our debut show featured Cleveland-based Diana Chittester (opened by All The Little Pieces), Part one is now on-line.

Please watch...and share.

Thank you for your years of support!

Guitar Gods: LIVE!

"Dead River Scriptures" released by Gregory

Gregory has released a new album: "Dead River Scriptures". This is his 7th release, and a follow-up to last year's "Apostacy".


We'll provide a review soon, but for now DIG IT:

http://gregoryfrancis.bandcamp.com/album/dead-river-scriptures

"GUITAR GODS: Diana Chittester"

She has opened for the likes of Melissa Ferrick, Catie Curtis, Kim Richey, Bitch and Ferron, blues guitarist Kelly Richey, to classic rocker Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown and shredding guitarist - and fellow Guitar Gods interviewee - Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck).

Critics have called her "...intelligent and articulate artist..." who "...demonstrate(s) prowess on the guitar and (a) penchant for wrenching vocals..." and who possesses "...an intensely unique acoustic guitar style … pounding out explosive rhythms and intricate leads...".

She is one woman, one guitar, and no gimmicks...and she is, according to this writer, one of THE most important artists on the scene in years, and one to watch closely for years to come. And, for guitarists, one to study closely. I witnessed a clinic where, on her first song, she played finger patterns so quickly they audience thought she was strumming, flawlessly executed metric modulations, and still left space for the instrument to breathe. Oh, yeah - and she has an awesome voice, too!


She just completed the recorded of a new album in New Orleans with engineer and producer Andrew "Goat Boy" Gilchrist and is about to hit the road on a 20 city tour across the eastern US and Canada.

You can visit her on-line HERE.


I had a chance to chat with Diana recently. Check it out!

New Tori Amos!

Tori Amos has released a new single (with ablum and tour to follow).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EAVmVijVw4

Music Therapy

Amazing.....

Watch and listen!

RIP Paco de Lucia

The death of one of the most celebrated flamenco guitarists was announced by the mayor's office in Algeciras, southern Spain, where he was born.

He is said to have died in the Mexican resort of Cancun.

Famous for a series of flamenco albums in the 1970s, he also crossed over into classical and jazz guitar.

He also worked on films by Spanish director Carlos Saura, notably appearing in his 1983 version of Carmen, which won a UK Bafta award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1985.....full story

9 Lessons You’ll Learn Playing in a Rock and Roll Band

From Trailer Park Ninja....

Most people have entertained the fantasy of becoming a wealthy rock star, and a lot of them buy an instrument to fiddle around with. Most folks eventually just throw that instrument into a closet after they move to another hobby, while a few become proficient players but never leave their bedrooms. This leaves a small number that actually form bands and take a stab at playing live to real audiences.

 So what are some of the lessons that these aspiring rock stars are likely to learn or encounter on their way up (or down) the ladder of live music success? It’s not all mountains of cocaine and groupie gang bangs on the tour bus water bed, is it?

Let’s explore this further.....

Read it all here:  http://trailerparkninja.com/2013/12/16/9-lessons-youll-learn-playing-in-a-rock-and-roll-band/

Exploratorium: The Science of Music

"What is music? Is birdsong music? How about the tap-tap-tap of a hammer, or the wail of a creaking door? Is playing a garbage can different than playing a drum?

"Explore the science of music....."

http://www.exploratorium.edu/music/

"Artists at the Edge: Tonya Kay (part 2)

-- David "Skinny Devil" McLean
originally published at Tinfoil Music 

Monday, 10 March 2008 23:54            

Last month we began our discussion with Tonya Kay, dancer, actress, model, stunt-woman, environmental activist, and more. This month we conclude or discussion with 10 more questions. Check it out (and see part one HERE and visit Tonya on-line)!

11) So, you converted your 2001 Jetta into a waste-veggie oil consuming machine. The question everyone has is: How hard is it to get a fill-up?

Whether running gasoline, diesel, biodiesel or waste vegetable oil (like myself) the most important aspect of purchasing an automobile is to get one with extraordinary fuel economy. Now, you can purchase a hybrid vehicle that touts 50 mpg, but personally, I don't see that as "advanced technology" and is definitely not worth the investment. After all, in the nineties I was driving a Ford Festiva that got 50 mpg and it only cost $8K off the lot! Today I drive a 2001 VW TDI Jetta and it, too, gets 50 mpg. And none of those miles are on petroleum products - now that's a real clean air vehicle!