Well - where do I begin? I probably should say hello to all of you out there who happen to be interested enough to listen to what I have to say. When Rick [Landers] came up with the idea of me having an ongoing column in Modern Guitars, I thought about what could be of potential interest to you and more importantly, what it is I may have to contribute. I guess I've been around this industry for a while (30 years, to be precise) so I think that some of you might like to get my take on a couple of things that are going on in the Musical Instruments Industry or MI, as we call it.

I would like to start by saying that I like this industry. Whenever we get together, I like to call it "the gathering of the tribe". It's a small but very unique tribe that has a great deal of impact on what's going on in the world and how we deal with each other. At least that's what I like to believe. I'll get more into this topic as we move on.

I just got back from the latest gathering of the tribe (2006 NAMM show in Anaheim, California). This was my twenty-first Winter NAMM and I'm still in awe about the overwhelming attendance and the positive spirit and outcome. I shall go home now to gather my thoughts and impressions over the next couple of days and upon my return, will provide my take on the status of the industry, especially as it relates to guitars.