Some of my favorite web sites to visit
My #1 charity. Something you may not have known about me is that I was a volunteer hotline crisis counselor for several years. The Long Island Crisis Center, a 24 hours-a-day/7 days-a-week/365 days-a-year suicide prevention and crisis intervention hotline, has helped thousands of folks who needed immediate help at critical points in their lives.
As a non-profit, they are always grateful for your support.
As a non-profit, they are always grateful for your support.
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If you're a guitar player and don't know who Tony Polecastro is, well please check out his Acoustic Tuesday show. Tips on playing, reviews on guitars and musicians, the latest news... pretty much everything a guitar geek would love!
Click on the picture to find out more! |
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I just found out about this web page (thanks Tamara), and I sure think it's great.
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Speaking of the TOPS, check out this 2017 Blues Images calendar. The web site is also chock full of pretty cool goodies for the blues fan.
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Guitar information and more:
Frets.com - maintaining and fixing your guitar. The Acoustic Letter - comparing instruments Bluegrass Guitar Lessons Old Gibsons - The development of Gibson Acoustics. Vintage Martin info Acoustic Magazine Six String Soul Jon's Acoustic Guitar Blog Guitar Forums Acoustic Guitar Forum. The UMGF - 'unofficial Martin guitar forum' The Gear Page The Reso Hangout Talk Music Let's Talk Guild Gibson Guitar Board The 'unofficial' Huss & Dalton forum Collings Guitar Forum The Mandolin Cafe - (and guitars) Larivee Guitar Forum Harmony Guitars Front Porch Guitar Blog Who I endorse D'Addario Strings Black Pearl Guitars G7th capos National Reso-phonic Guitars Rocky Mountain Slides More cool guitar shops Vintage Instruments, Philadelphia Gryphon Stringed Instruments L. A. Guitars Willies American Guitars Fraulini Guitars My Favorite Guitars Dream Guitars Fox Guitars - new 'vintage' Artisan Guitars The Podium Retrofret Vintage Instruments Gruhn Guitars Rudy's Music Maury's Music Mandolin Brothers Lark Street Music Matt Uminov - NYC Elderly Instruments Acoustic Music.org The Blues and Roots. Research Center Alan Lomax's Massive Archive Goes Online - More than 17,000 sound recordings made by the famed folklorist are now available, for free. The Blues Trail An incredible informational resource of Blues artists. Dinosaur Discs - Are you into those old 78's? Graveyard Blues Podcast - Host Jerry Schaefer interviews and plays the music from wonderful blues guest artists. The Robert Johnson Speed Controversy Mudcat Cafe - Resource for folk and blues music. Lyrics, history, knowledge... it's all there The Country Blues - The most comprehensive site on contemporary country blues artists out there. An incredible treasure house of information. Blues Images - eye candy for the blues lover. Mississippi Blues Trail. Blues Images - My kind of store All about Rev. Gary Davis Bellport.com - Ed Davis Early Blues .com Archie Edwards Foundation Paramount Records Home Delta Blues Museum Dead Blues Guys Some other cool and interesting sites: Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project |
Cool Guitar Shops
Vintage Blues Guitars - Tom has some really nifty old time guitars and other instruments worth checking out. He's a great guy with a solid reputation. VintageParlorGuitars - Want a vintage parlor (he's got 00's too) at an affordable price that has been given some tender loving care? Then Steve's the guy to get in touch with. He brings these babies back to life and 99% of them can be had for a surprisingly low price. I picked up a 30's B&J Serenader that is simply way cool. Antebellum Instruments Jake Wildwood in Vermont always has the coolest instruments going. You never know what you'll find on his site but it's always fun and the prices are very reasonable. I've picked up a couple of nice parlor guitars from him that I love to play while sitting around my home. Rothman Guitars and Dept. Store Where else can you find Harmonys, Martins, vintage Gibsons, light bulbs, ponchos and duct tape all under the same roof? Part music store and general store with a load of cool stuff around every corner and hanging from the ceilings. Honestly, check out Ron's site and if you're ever out on the east end of Long Island you owe yourself a trip to his store. It's amazing. The Denver Folklore Center It was here that I played a guitar owned by Mississippi Hurt. Really. Just added: European and U.K. friends:
Al Johns - Belgium http://www.aljohnson-aljohns.com/links Andi Saitenhieb - Germany http://andisaitenhieb.de/ Homespun Music Instruction - No matter what you're level or style there's bound to be a great instructional DVD here for you. Some of my hero's are on this site... it's like taking a personal lesson from them. Highly recommended!
Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop - another fine site for instructional DVDs and incredible videos. Highly recommended. 30's Jazz... oh my, oh my. Who takes care of my guitars:
Dennis MacPherson of Guitarworks, builder of Black Pearl Guitars Who I'm listening to these days: The East River String Band Graphic Design and Fine Art David Derr of d2studios Piano, harp, upright bass, mountain dulcimer and voice coach. Carol Walker Radio Promotion Lisa Grey Blue River Promotions Tel: 914-762-2976 lgrey@optonline.net Organizations: The Huntington Folk Music Society The Long Island Blues Society The Long Island Fingerstyle Guitar Club Acoustic Music Scene - they are totally on top of the Scene. The New York Jazz and Blues Society |
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You ever wanted to play harmonica? If so, then I would highly recommend checking out JP Allen. Not only is he a wonderfully, talented player but his personality as a fun guy to learn from comes across mighty strong on his instructional videos.
Check out his website: http://www.harmonica.com/ |
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Bluegrass, Celtic, Old Timey and Gypsy Jazz Backing Tracks... WOW!
There's a site out there which I've found to be a terrific help in providing a means to truly elevate your practicing. Free Bluegrass Backing Tracks, by Simon Mitchinson, not only gives a load of songs to work on, but his site allows you to change the tempo as well. Highly Recommended!
Here are two books that make great reading for anyone interested in what it's like to be a musician.
Patricia Shih is a wonderful musician, entertainer, songwriter, author.... I could go on and on. However, she was and continues to be an inspiration to myself. I highly recommend these books!!
Here's how to order:
http://www.patriciashih.com/recordings.html |
Talent, of course. Also perseverance, years of practice and rehearsal. Working musicians also must have a high tolerance for the insane vagaries of the job. Some hellish situations - like working with maniacal colleagues and bosses - come with any profession, but there are others which try musicians' souls specifically. If we somehow manage to survive these circumstances, we are rewarded with experiences that others can only dream of -- and a life of creativity and unparalleled joy through music.
Check out these 75 true stories from 35 intrepid (some might say stubborn) performers from 11 states and 3 countries. Is it worth it? You tell me. But most of us would do it all again. Then again, we've all survived our time in hell. |
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This is a down-to-earth, comprehensive guide for those wishing to break into the music biz or go from part-time players/singers to full-time professionals. Written in easy-to-understand language, full of anecdotes and examples, with a useful appendix.
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Here's how to order:
http://www.patriciashih.com/recordings.html |
Kalamazoo Gals... What a fantastic read!!!
For lovers of history, guitars and just plain great storytelling this book is the tops. Read all about the LADIES who built those Banner Gibson Guitars during WWII. I HIGHLY recommend this wonderful book.
http://kalamazoogals.com/
http://kalamazoogals.com/
You like to play old timey music?? Then this book is for you!!
For years I've been looking for a book that teaches how to play old time backup guitar the way those old timers did it. John Schwab goes above and beyond in showing you how to do it. I highly recommend that you check out his book.
Click Here
Click Here
