Optek Music Systems, Inc., the makers of the Fretlight guitar, has announced the release of a new PC interface, Fretlight Studio, for its Fretlight series of electric and electric-acoustic instruments. Fretlight Studio combines four previously separate software packages (M-Player, Improviser, Lesson Player and Video Player) into a single application that serves as a gateway to the four modular features. This means that Fretlight users can play songs, take video lessons, practice chords and scales or improvise a solo from one screen. "We wanted to accomplish two things for our customers with this release,” says Rusty Shaffer, president and CEO of Optek Music Systems. “First, we wanted to simplify the interface for our key Fretlight applications, and second, we decided to make this software package free to our customers,” a savings of nearly $100 according to Optek. A Mac version of Fretlight Studio is expected later this year, but until then, the separate Fretlight software modules are now free to Mac users. More »

The concept behind the FMan guitar is simple: Why should a full-bodied electric guitar playing rock 'n' roller be limited to the size of the guitar he plays? What looks and feels good to a gangly teenager might not always be a perfect fit. Enter the FMan guitar from Charlie Farren. Says Farren:"...I was playing the same guitars that I played 25 and 35 years ago - the '68 Tele I bought when I joined The Joe Perry Project or the Washburn G15Vs Washburn provided when Farrenheit toured the United States with Boston in the 1987 Third Stage tour. I realized those guitars didn't "fit" me anymore. They still sound great and they looked great on me when I was a 170lb boy, or a 180lb young man. My clothes looked great on me then too, but I don't wear those clothes anymore so maybe I should try to find a guitar that "fits" the grown man version of myself." More »

On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, the London branch of Christie's will conduct a Pop Culture, Rock and Pop Memorabilia Auction that includes a 1970 Fender Stratocaster associated with Jimi Hendrix; a 1958 Hofner Senator acoustic guitar owned by John Lennon in "the early days of Liverpool" according to documentation from the late George Harrison; and a Harmony Stratotone electric guitar owned and played in the early '60s by founding member of the Rolling Stones, Brian Jones. The sale is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Christie's South Kensington facility (85 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3LD), though a personal appearance is not required for bidding as Christie's offers a number of alternate methods for bid placing (see the auction ecatalogue for details). The instruments, along with other items from the 193 lots to be auctioned, will be available for viewing at Christie's in South Kensington from June 27 through two hours prior to the auction during hours set-forth in the catalog. More »

There’s a sign at Bonnaroo that says, “Being happy doesn’t mean everything is perfect. It means you have decided to look beyond the imperfections.” This quote encapsulates the complicated feelings I’ve developed toward the visceral, diverse and sometimes overwhelming experience that is Bonnaroo. Although Bonnaroo has evolved from its hippie, dreadlocked roots of years past to a tightly packaged, well marketed mainstream icon, the bones beneath the skin remain the same. It’s more than the music. It’s the circus. The eighth annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival took place June 11-14 on a 700-acre farm not far from Nashville, Tennessee, and was attended by almost 80,000 people. Headlining this year were Bruce Springsteen, Nine Inch Nails, Phish, Snoop Dog, Al Green, Wilco, Public Enemy and David Byrne. We drove to Roo through intermittent rain showers and were given just enough of a respite to set up camp when we arrived. Not long after, we ventured into the main camp to check out the mob, the shops and the mud. We barely made it to the center of the camp when the skies opened and the rain came down in buckets. More »

The Ponderosa Stomp is the brainchild of Dr. Ira Padnos, better known as Dr. Ike, and a group of co-conspirators known as the Mystic Knights of the Mau-Mau. The Ponderosa Stomp Foundation/MK Charities is a 501(c)3 cultural organization “dedicated to presenting and preserving the rich history of American roots music.” The Stomp is held every year in the Big Easy the week between the two weekends of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. In recent years, in addition to the two nights of performances, several day time conferences featuring panels of musicians, artists, writers, industry insiders, etc., have been added. These have grown from rather casual gatherings to standing room only events. There’s even a record fair where fan(atic)s can buy, sell or swap records (yes, vinyl LPs, 45s, and 78s). More »

For over twenty years I have had the pleasure of attending and photographing the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and for the last eight years I have attended and photographed the phenomenon called the Ponderosa Stomp. Both events occur late April through early May and are New Orleans musical highlights. This year, I spent a wild week enjoying and covering both. The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival is a national institution and a national treasure. It brings all things Louisiana (music, food, culture, tradition) together with the best of mainstream and world music into a whirlwind of sounds, sights and other pleasures. The Festival is huge, with multiple stages, ranging from small solo acts and interviews, tents featuring jazz, blues and gospel, to vast stages hosting Louisiana and roots music legends or big name rock, hip-hop, or country artists. That’s the beauty of it. More »

Albert King never got the mass recognition he deserved. He always seemed to be in the shadow of B.B. But among blues guitarists and fans of the craft, he was the master. Austin, Texas’ Stevie Ray Vaughan, 31 years King’s junior, exploded onto the scene in 1983, first as guitarist on David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” followed by his own smash hit “Pride and Joy.” When the two met onstage at Antone’s in 1973, they formed an ongoing friendship. This bond culminated with the December, 1983, live recording titled In Session, originally produced for the Canadian TV concert series of the same name. The recording, originally issued on Stax Records, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s blues album chart, selling more than 300,000 units. On June 30, 2009, Stax Records, the imprint upon which King made his most legendary recordings in the ’60s and ’70s, will reissue In Session with digital remastering and three sets of liner notes by Fantasy and Stax Records’ Bill Belmont, and journalists Lee Hildebrand and Dan Forte. More »

Have you ever wanted to study with one of the best guitarists in the world but couldn't afford to take the time to travel across the country, let alone the cost of the lessons themselves? The Mike's Master Classes website aims to alleviate these problems by bringing your favorite players to you through live video streaming and downloadable archived master classes taught by some of the biggest names in the business. While most of us will never be able to study with our favorite jazz or blues guitarists in person, Mike's Master Classes delivers the next best thing: streaming, interactive guitar classes with world-class players and teachers. For the price of a method book, or a one-off private lesson with a local teacher, you can take part in a master class with players such as Paul Bollenback, Sid Jacobs and Vic Juris. Classes are offered almost every week and cover a wide variety of guitar related topics in the jazz, classical and blues genres. Mike's Master Classes offers everyone the chance to study and interact with some of the best players on the planet at an affordable price from the comfort of home. More »

Founded in 1983 by Dave Smolover, the National Guitar Workshop has since grown from its humble roots in South Kent, Connecticut, to become one of the top guitar workshops in the world. The NGW has built its strong reputation by providing guitarists the chance to study with some of the top names in the guitar world in an educational, though relaxed, environment. Students who attend any of the Workshop's week-long sessions can expect to spend time everyday in clinics with big-name players, jamming alongside fellow musicians of similar levels and musical tastes, getting one-on-one instruction from a private teacher and basically eating and sleeping guitar the whole time they are there. Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, the National Guitar Workshop is moving forward into its second quarter century by adding a new campus, bringing in legendary artists and adding several new courses that are sure to be hits with students and faculty alike. More »

On May 12, 2009, country music artist Big Kenny of Big & Rich fame, presented 20 Guild acoustic guitars to students at Mt. View Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee, as part of the Little Kids Rock program, which will see Big Kenny's donation of 140 Guild acoustics distributed to five schools in Nashville. During the event, students performed songs for Big Kenny, engaged him in a question and answer session, and presented the performer with an award for his generosity and support. Little Kids Rock is a nationally-recognized nonprofit organization that transforms children’s lives by restoring and revitalizing music education in the nation’s public schools. Over 3,000 students at 36 schools in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools receive free instruments and lessons from the organization. More »

Epiphone, in cooperation with the Gibson Guitar Custom Shop, has announced the second in its series of Epiphone Custom Historic USA guitars, the 1962 Wilshire Reissue in White. The first guitar in the series, a 1962 Wilshire in Cherry, sold out immediately according to Gibson. The series is made in Nashville, Tennessee, and limited to 100 instruments worldwide. The instrument should be available and shipping to authorized retailers now and includes an original style hard case, numbered Certificate of Authenticity in a leatherette binder, commemorative picks, a commemorative t-shirt and a 1962-style thing leather strap. The manufacturer's suggested retail price in the United States is $4,832. More »

Christopher Parkening and Pepperdine University have announced the winner of the second triennial Parkening International Guitar Competition. Emanuele Buono, 21, of Italy won the prestigious competition through his performance of "Concerto No. 1 in D Major" by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at Pepperdine's Smothers Theatre during the final round on Saturday, May 30. He received the $30,000 Stotsenberg Prize and Gold Medal from benefactor Dorothy Stotsenberg of Malibu, California. "It feels like a dream. I can't believe it," said Buono. When asked about the pressure in the final round, he replied, "I was less tense after the performance because I felt I played very well." More »

Guitarist Steve Vai will release a five-CD boxset this week titled Naked Tracks that consists of play-along recordings of tunes from seven of his albums. The tracks are designed for guitarists that would like to learn and practice some classic Vai. “Through the years, whenever I would mix my records I would usually do a mix of specific songs without the lead guitar. This allowed me to play along with the track or make loops to jam to, and because I figured perhaps someday maybe others would like to do the same,” explains Vai. “Voila! We have arrived at someday!” The five-CD boxset will be sold exclusively at the Guitar Center chain, with liner notes, transcripts, TABs, lead sheets and scores available soon at www.vai.com/nakedtracks, where Vai will also provide information regarding the key, scale, time signature and more of each track as well as guitar solo transcripts and TABs. More »

Modern Guitars columnist Dr. Matthew Warnock reviews a concert by the Allan Holdsworth Trio that took place on May 14, 2009. From the review: "It was a warm and windy evening in the quiet little Chicago suburb of Palatine, Illinois. Several hours before the concert started there was already a line of people outside Durty Nellie's Bar and Restaurant who had come to see one of the most respected, and often underexposed, guitarists of the past half-century, Allan Holdsworth. As they waited to enter the club, conversations popped up about their favorite Holdsworth song or album and anecdotes from previous concerts dating all the way back to the early '70s when the young guitarist first stunned jazz-fusion fans all over the globe. While many people in attendance were long-time fans of the British guitarist, there was a surprising number of teenagers and people who were talking to their friends about how excited they were to see Holdsworth perform for the first time. The mixture of fans, old and new, is a testament to Holdsworth's appeal as a composer and guitarist." More »

Florida-based visual artist Jeannette Parssi decided to bring something extra to the table when invited by Gibson Guitar to participate in the second installment of Gibson's Miami GuitarTown Project. After painting the naked Epiphone Casino electric guitar Gibson shipped to her for the event, Parssi was able to have the instrument autographed by all seven members of the Allman Brothers Band, which will no doubt add to its value when auctioned for charity later this year. “The band was more than happy to help,” says Parssi, “as it seems they always are when it comes to supporting worthy causes. I really appreciate all of the band members signing the guitar for me. It turns my artwork into a real collector’s item, which will benefit some very worthwhile charities in Miami.” More »

Modern Guitars has three copies of the the new Days Before Tomorrow CD The Sky is Falling to giveaway to lucky readers on June 25, 2009. Days Before Tomorrow is a New Jersey progressive melodic rock group that delivers on all fronts: music that appeals to serious music lovers tired of the same old boring radio fare, and music with catchy melodies and strong hooks that casual listeners and rock lovers alike can latch onto. The Sky Is Falling was produced by industry legend Ron Nevison (Led Zeppelin, The Who, Heart) and mixed by Grammy-award winning engineer Earl Cohen (Usher, Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Pink, Cyndi Lauper, Tina Turner, and more). The CD is a full hour concept story capped by amazing illustrations by artist Steven Bentley in a collectible 20-page full-color CD booklet. More »

While visiting Paul Reed Smith Guitars last year, Joe Knaggs, Director of R&D and Private Stock, took us on a tour of the new PRS operations building and spent time showing us some of the company's new models, including a sweet little custom-made mandolin. Joe has been an integral member of the PRS Guitars team for a few decades now and his legacy as the Director of Research and Development, coupled with his oversight of the Private Stock line, give him some impressive credentials and offered him opportunities most guitarists can only dream about. We were impressed with the stunning acoustics that not only were visually appealing, but had the feel and sound to meet the needs of guitarists, whether they like to flail or caress music out of their guitars. Our first impressions were confirmed when the new PRS acoustics won the Musikmesse International Press Award (MIPA), known as the "Grammy" of the Musical Instrument/ProAudio industry, for Best Acoustic Guitar. More »

More news briefs... »

by Brian D. Holland.
Though some rock fans might still be in the dark about this, and they've certainly got to be an isolated and diminutive bunch, The Answer is the hard-rocking foursome out of County Down, Ireland. The group has been touring the globe over the past year opening for AC/DC on the Black Ice Tour. By definition alone, one might think that a label as bold as The Answer is a reference to something that's the real deal, or the actual solution to something. If you're wondering if that's the case in this situation, many rock fans seem to think so. The truth is, and it's not exactly a news flash, authentic hard-rock bands aren't what they used to be in numbers. Sure, there are a few around, the paradigm being the above mentioned tour headliner. But, not many young bands possess the invigorating power and surging force that Led Zeppelin, Thin Lizzy, Humble Pie, and others exerted back in the '70s. It's unfortunate, because a prevailing thirst still exists for that particular style. AC/DC and their mega sold out tour is evidence of it... Read »

by Rick Landers.
On May 3, 2009, fingerstyle guitarist Pete Huttlinger and the lovely LeAnn Rimes shared the stage at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., as part of the 2009 Kennedy Center Spring Gala presentation, A Celebration of Women in the Arts. Pete and LeAnn have performed together before with Pete's guitar work a perfect complement to the singers vocals, much like Pete's work during the '90s with the late John Denver and with many more of the world's finest troubadours. But, one thing that sets Pete apart from the crowd is his strong work ethic and precise professional focus. Although born in Washington, D.C., early on after his father passed away his mother moved the family to California. Soon enough, Pete would discover the world of guitars and practice, study and perform his way to a solid music career. After high school, he moved to Boston to study at the Berklee College of Music where he graduated cum laude in 1984. He and a friend would plant themselves on Beantown street corners to make some loot and gain some streetwise insights into... Read »

by Rick Landers.
When we saw that famed guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady of Hot Tuna were headed to the Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia, we knew it wasn't an opportunity to miss. Rarely does Modern Guitars get a chance to catch up with musicians who have performed together and stoked a full steam of friendship for 50 years. Since the early ‘60s, Jorma and Jack have shared their love of music and experienced the spirited upheaval of rock stardom as members of Jefferson Airplane, the group that featured vocalist Grace Slick who belted out the rock classic, “Somebody to Love,” and melodically droned the phantasmagorical reverence of “White Rabbit.” It was the age of psychedelia and as much as drugs pierced the veil of the status quo, the music itself was mind altering with Jefferson Airplane searing hot in the klieg lights of the moment... Read »

by Michael Shea.
Chuck Loeb grew up in Nyack, NY, a suburb of New York City and at the age of 11, decided music was what he wanted to do with his life. After teaching himself guitar and playing in local bands for several years, his talent was so evident that, before he graduated from high school, he was studying with jazz guitar legend Jim Hall. After high school, he attended Berklee College of Music for two years before heading to New York City to work as a sideman for a number of jazz artists. In 1979, when he was 23 years old, Chuck joined the Stan Getz band, where he was able to hone his skills as a musician, performer, composer, and musical director. During this period, Chuck met and married Carmen Cuesta, a singer-songwriter from Madrid, Spain...Chuck currently records for Heads Up International. Modern Guitars talked to Chuck just before the March 24, 2009, release of his latest recording, Between 2 Worlds... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Mali-born guitarist Vieux Farka Touré's musical inclinations come naturally. His father, Ali Farka Touré (1939 - 2006), was an internationally acclaimed musician who weaved together the complex rhythms and traditional style of Malian music with American blues, and was listed at the 76 spot on Rolling Stone's compilation of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Though his father urged him to join the military, Vieux discovered that he both loved and had a talent for music. It was to become his passion. Recognizing and valuing his son's talents, Ali asked his friend and legendary African kora player, Toumani Diabaté, to professionally mentor his son. The die was caste and Vieux Farka Touré began to make his mark in his native Mali and soon his name was on foreign tongues who were captivated by the young musician and spread the word worldwide... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Although Tony McManus clearly has a reputation as a leading Celtic guitarist, the ancient roots of the music itself are somewhat nebulous. Strains can be found originating in Ireland and Scotland, as well as other unexpected places such as Portugal. Whatever the origins, the music found its way to America and infiltrated the melodic intentions of Appalachian musicians, as well as gained popularity around the world. Irish born McManus delights in the sparkling guitar tunings of the genre and his league of world-wide fans grows with each new album. He taught himself guitar at an early age and after ending his academic pursuits he could be found as a session guitarist in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In 1996, Tony released his self-titled debut album on the Greentrax Recordings label. Next up was his Pourquoi Quebec that drew international attention. His reputation began to soar when Nashville’s Compass Records issued his Ceol More CD that featured arrangements of Charles Mingus’s jazz classic “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat”... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
It's easily understood that inspiration drives the music of JJ Grey & MOFRO, as influence radiates from it in an interesting and colorful manner. Though much of it is surrounded in a raw yet contemporary swamp rock ambiance, it possesses elements of southern rock, soul, R&B, folk, gospel, blues, and especially funk. The music parallels the lyrical image flawlessly in setting, emotion and significance. JJ Grey paints a picture of the rural South, especially the Florida backwoods, where images of alligators and cypress amid swampy terrain effortlessly come to mind. He grew up in and around Jacksonville, Florida, close to the wetland areas he sings about, and close to the Orange and Lochloosa Lakes as well. The rugged wetland environment comes to life in songs like "Florida," "Lochloosa," and "Turpentine," and haunting stories of poverty and misfortune ("Country Ghetto," "Ten Thousand Islands," and "Brighter Days") sit contently among songs of hope and affection ("Orange Blossoms," "A Woman," and "The Truth") in all four of the band's CDs. It's even very Southern Gothic at times, especially in the lyrical content of "The Devil You Know" and "Tragic." Via first and secondhand experiences of their narrator, the tales depict life's ambiguous and complex situations in a genuine and practical manner... Read »

by Rick Landers.
During his performance at the Inter-American Series of Concerts, Lectures and Films in Washington, D.C., in October 2008, Scottish guitarist Martin Taylor kept the show rolling with solo jazz guitar tunes that were technically complex, yet stylishly smooth and nuanced. Inspired since childhood by gypsy jazz legend Django Rheinhardt and his Quintette du Hot Club of France, jazz guitar has been the staple of Martin’s repertoire.He began playing guitar at the ripe old age of eight in his father’s jazz band and would later leave school at 15 to become a professional musician. A chance meeting with Django’s Hot Club violinist, Stephane Grappelli, eventually led to an invitation for Martin to join the group. Martin would grow as an artist under the wing of Grappelli and his guitar prowess blossomed while he gathered acclaim as one of the best jazz guitarists in the world. Taylor’s musical accomplishments have been recognized by many and have included... Read »

by Rick Landers.
When Badfinger's first record was released rumors ran amok that the Beatles were the artists behind the songs and that the Fab Four had playfully renamed themselves to see if the album would do well without the Beatles magic to help lift it up the charts. This wasn't a far fetched notion. The album, Magic Christian Music, was released in 1970 on the Beatles' Apple label and the harmonies and style captured the pop spunk of Paul McCartney's work. In fact, McCartney penned the group's first U.S. charted hit, "Come and Get It." Badfinger would enjoy all the spoils of fame, but would also suffer through a litany of stereotypical rock 'n' roll collapses from bad management, financial entanglements, legal disputes, poor record sales and the tragic suicides of Peter Ham (vocalist, guitar, keyboards) and... Read »

by Skip Daly.
Over the course of its 40-year history, Rush emerged as a rock band to become an institution of rock culture. They are one of the few bands that have not only survived for over four decades, but have done so with the same line-up of band members. That feat is a true anomaly in the turbulent and ego-driven world of rock music. With over 30 million records sold worldwide, award-winning videos and legions of hardcore fans, perhaps the most impressive thing about the band's career is the manner in which they have navigated their own course. While other bands worried about mainstream success, Rush focused on mastering their instruments and musicality to make the best records possible. Rather than focus on radio airplay, the group committed to making music that was, first and foremost, exciting to them, trusting that their fans would share their instincts and excitement... Read »

by Brian D. Holland.
Besides the fact that he’s one of the most important guitarists in pop music history, Steve Cropper’s career milestones extend far beyond that significant achievement. Throughout the prime years of Stax Records, when they were releasing some of the greatest soul and r&b music ever recorded, he was a crucial player, from the perspective of both musician and behind the scenes. Essentially, it began in 1962 with the release of “Green Onions,” by Booker T. & the MGs, the song viewed by many to be one of the greatest instrumental pop hits ever recorded. Though the funky and rhythmic framework was what the buzz was all about, the extraordinary talent of each member of the band had much to do with the recording's success. For fans of early rock 'n' roll, R&B, and funk, it was the first time ears were exposed to the amazing little riffs and funky chops that exuded from Cropper's blonde Telecaster. It was a trait that grew and solidified in vocal music as well, when his talent for filling in the holes and playing between the verse lines was realized. The fact that his name is displayed alongside many of the greatest r&b hits in history, in both the writer and co-writer capacity, more than substantiates his vital presence in the music of the era... Read »

by Rick Landers.
On our way to the Martin Guitar Company in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Modern Guitars took a detour down a country road near Emmaus, to find the one-man shop of custom luthier, Matt Artinger. Matt met us in his driveway before leading us to his shop where he has staged his fine woods, inlay, tools, forms, clamps, glues, and other necessities that allow him to design and craft his exceptional guitars. Matt's one of those easy going guys with an abundance of spirited enthusiasm and good humor, that makes you feel at home. Another thing we liked about him is, the guy absolutely loves guitars. His guitar building journey started out in his parents' basement. Today, more than a decade later, Artinger's built his own custom home, complete with a lower level area to house his very impressive shop. Artinger guitars are as much about music as they are about artistic intent. The craftsmanship is without equal, the designs a mix of tradition and subtle elegance, and the tonal qualities precise and balanced. Before Matt reached the ripe old age of 30, the Martin Guitar Company worked with him to introduce the Special Edition Martin OMC Artinger 1 model, as well as to collaborate on other projects, including several "one-off" guitars for NAMM shows... Read »

by Rick Landers.
Author Marc Canter's new book, Reckless Road: Guns N' Roses and the Making of Appetite for Destruction, digs into the history of GNR from the inside. Canter's been a friend of the group's lead guitarist, Slash, since they were kids and documented GNR's explosive rise to fame in photographs, during the '80s. In Reckless Road, Canter, with Jason Porath, poured over a few hundred photos and interviewed friends, family and music associates of GNR to present a vivid and candid account of the famed rock band's conception and the making of their debut album, Appetite for Destruction, released in 1987. In 2008, the album went 18X Platinum with over 28 million world-wide sales. Guns N' Roses could trigger some ferocious rock 'n' roll, but just as easily slip into softer, sweet melodies. The wrecking crew of Izzy Stradlin, Steven Adler, Axl Rose, Duff McKagan, and Slash, knew they wanted a life of rock havoc before they reached their teens. Fueled by the music of Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Kiss and Queen, the five young rockers would lock and load, assaulting the world with their top selling debut album... Read »

by Steven Rosen.
Peter Frampton's musical odyssey has been graced with a series of pop hits and world-wide recognition. His career milestones have progressed from that of a mere guitar hero to a cultural icon. He has been referenced in everything from Wayne’s World to The Simpson’s. Frampton's acting credits include: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as Billy Shears; Baa Baa Black Sheep as Peter Buckley; and Reg in the coming-of-age rock movie, Almost Famous. If you live in the States, it's a safe bet that you've seen Peter recently in a Geico car insurance commercial, where he plays a black Les Paul plugged into a Marshall stack, and humorously sings his lines using his signature Framptone talkbox. Still, Frampton has never pushed to get into the limelight. Most often, he's more comfortable retreating from it so he can focus on his first love, music... Read »

More feature stories... »

(August 31, 2007) A story just published by the Kalamazoo Gazette claims that Heritage Guitar may soon be sold. Says the Gazette article: "'We're selling it,' said Marvin Lamb, one of four co-owners. Lamb started with Gibson in 1956 and was the factory's superintendent from 1974 until Gibson left for Nashville, Tenn." Lamb is also quoted in the article saying he thinks the company will most likely remain in Kalamazoo, but will know for sure "in a few days." According to the company's website, "Heritage has not closed its doors indefinitely. During the last week there have been many meetings to deal with how to structure the company to deal with its large amount of backorders. During the period these meetings are taking place, we have turned on our answering machine."

(August 2, 2007) The 23rd Cartier International Polo took place with 25,000 people descending on the centre court of Polo; Smiths Lawn. This prestigious annual polo tournament is the pinnacle of the English summer season and is held in the manicured grounds of Windsor Great Park at the Guards Polo Club. This year England took on the highly respected Chilean team which was sponsored by Gibson Guitar for the coveted Coronation Cup. This was the fourth year Gibson Guitar sponsored the visiting team and the second victory for the Chileans following their win against England back in 2004. Info and photos »

(July 30, 2007) To help readers navigate through the number of articles related to the 2007 Summer NAMM Show, Modern Guitars presents a coverage guide with article summaries and links. Check back often as more stories will be added. For those interested in the Eric Clapton Crossroads Guitar Festival, a similar guide can be found here.

(May 15, 2007) Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has named Jason Padgitt to the newly established position of Vice President, Public Relations and Corporate Communications. Padgitt joins Fender's communications team of Jason Farrell and Jeff Owens after more than ten years of successful experience with the entertainment PR firm Rogers & Cowan. “The addition of Jason Padgitt and the overall expansion of our communications team is proof of our commitment to improved communications at Fender,” said Andy Rossi, Senior Vice President of Global Sales, Marketing and R&D. “As a leading brand, we have important messages and we want to be heard and clearly understood around the world.” Press release »

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