I’ve always found some great topics and intriguing issues in this magazine. The way the articles are phrased makes them simple to understand and the writers don’t talk down to you. I find this magazine to be unmatched and highly recommend it to any level of guitarist.

I’ve picked up some real nice little riffs and chord progressions in it that I find myself using without even realizing it! The website is just fabulous! If you have an online subscription, the guitar videos will help you become not only a much better guitarist, but a well rounded musician as well. I can’t say enough about the guys and girls that work there.

Acoustic Guitar’s 20th anniversary issue has what they consider to be the top 240 essential albums from the past 20 years. Some are from albums/guitarist that are familiar and some musicians that are very obscure to most, but in the end will help you expand your playing styles in new and exciting directions.

The anniversary installment, January’s issue, covers some great guitar and gear innovations over the past 20 years. Products like the Trace acoustic TA-100, the Kyser Quick Change capo (I’ve got one and I NEVER leave home with out one in my case), the Fishman Acoustic Matrix piezo pickup, tons of guitars and pedals. It also has a real nice article about how guitar making technology has helped change the sound of modern instruments.

Acoustic Guitar 20th Anniversary collector’s edition is out and I highly recommend that you pick this one up for either yourself or a guitarist that you know.

Keep on Jammin’ Acoustic Guitar!

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I found the magazine highlighting a ton of blues players and other songwriters, I only skimmed through it for around an hour and then the patient that had brought it in had to go.

No Depression had received Utne Reader Independent Press Awards for Arts & Literature coverage, and was cited as one of the nation’s Top 20 magazines of any kind in 2004 by the Chicago Tribune. It had it’s own radio show in Texas that was syndicated in between 2002 – 2003. They even did a tour with a couple of bands that they fell in love with during the magazine. They were featuring Whiskeytown, the Old 97’s, Hazeldine, and the Picketts) in 1997.

Our name, No Depression, refers to a song written by southern gospel pioneer J.D. Vaughan called “No Depression In Heaven.” The Carter Family recorded it in 1936, making the song one of their few topical offerings. It was cut again by Charlie Monroe (Bill’s brother and one-time singing partner) in 1948, released as the B-side of his 1950 RCA single “Mother’s Not Dead.” It next resurfaced, minus one verse, on a 1959 album by the New Lost City Ramblers (whose membership included Mike Seeger) called Songs From The Depression. That is the album that St. Louis band Uncle Tupelo heard and that they made the title track to their 1990 debut album. And that, in turn, led to the naming of an Internet discussion board, No Depression/Alt.Country. We thought all that history made it an ideal name for a magazine that wished to cover the past, present and future of American music. And with nodepression.com, we’re echoing the roots of that first-generation discussion board (which is still active, by the way).

In that final issue they also did a piece on a old high school friend of mine Carl Wilson, now that blew my mind!

So check it out and tell me what yo think of it!

Keep on jammin’

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I now have a fonder respect for blues guitarist! I find the rhythms to play are difficult to master. The lossie goosie timing takes a bit of getting use to. The coming in and out of time signatures at unfamiliar times are something that I have not tried before. I am more accustomed to straight forward rhythms so I must appear to come off as a spastic rhythm guitarist, ha!

Just a question here for all you musicians out there, have you had certain challenges when you try to play the blues properly when your own style of playing is completely different for the blues? I just want to find out if it is just me who has the problem adapting to this unique genre or is it just me.

Like most guitar players I love attempting different forms of music to broaden my musical horizons and repertoire. It is also an advantage to having a number of tricks in my hand bag to pull out when needed.

This genre of music will take me a while to get a proper handle on it but I feel that I am up for the task. So a practicing I a go!

So sit back and have a laugh at my expense! Cheers!

Keep on Jammin’

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They were the first band ever to call themselves a ‘tribute’ and have performed over 4000 shows to over 3 million fans around the world. Even Jimmy Page himself commented to me in 1985 that “Michael does it best”.

The White is considered to be first act to be known as a true Led Zeppelin Tribute Band and the rest is history. I think that I’ve heard about this band for a while now but I never really paid that much attention to them until today. While driving home from the store I came across a commercial on the radio, promoting the bands next show in Toronto at the Sound Academy.

So I thought that I’d give you a heads up about these guys and I’d love to see them sometime … anyone out there got some free tickets for yours truly?!

If anyone is interested in going to the show here is the info.

Q107 the radio station that I was listening to at the time is presenting Michael White’s ORCHESTRAL ZEPPELIN featuring the Symphony Of Rock Youth Orchestra on Sat Jan 16, 2010. Doors are open at 8pm and TICKETS are $20 IN ADVANCE and $25 AT DOOR.

Keep on Jammin’ Micheal White & The White!

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This year I had the chance to play in the Surgical Recovery Room that I work in with our legendary Singing Cardiologist doctor also known as D.R. Cardiac Rap! He played last year for us and also the patients that recuperating there right after their surgery. It was amazing to move patients through the area and having them say things like wasn’t that a doctor singing and playing guitar for us?

Last year he performed this reggae style song on his acoustic guitar with a drum machine running in the background. He had a few back up singers(nurses) which added to the show visually speaking. The tune was about life as a cardiologist and what goes on behind the scenes in the O.R. I must say it was fun to witness!

This year he asked me if I wanted to play with him so I jumped at the opportunity. He said that he was working on a song called How Long Blues. I’m not that big of a blues guitarist but I said why not. We both hoped to have jammed at least twice to get a handle on how each other plays but we only had a short practice right before playing in front of both staff and patients.

The song went well enough and a nurse was recording it on video. I haven’t seen it yet but when he sends me a copy I’ll post it up on this particular site!

Keep on Jammin’ in the New Year everybody!

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I’ve seen these things on web sites and in music stores in the past but I only found it as a passing fancy that didn’t keep my attention up. These were the first generation modules that appeared to be only gimmicks. The end result made your voice appear too digital and fake. Today’s voice pedals seem to be much more advanced in my ways.

The products out there now offer control of your pitch, warmth of tone and even have the capability to harmonize and remember phrasings in real time!

A couple of great guitar friends of mine named John Ball and Eddie Myers, both from Brantford, had guitar harmonizers. They sounded neat at fist listen to but the didn’t have a realistic colour to them. The harmonizing guitars that the pedals made developed a distant feel to them, as if they were on a separate track hidden in the background. We didn’t even think of putting a microphone through them at the time but the results would more then likely be the same.

Here is an example, from the company no less but I think you get a not bad overview of what can do, of the Correct and Create by TC Helicon are all programmable.

So you tell me, what do you think about it? Have you owned this or similar products like this and what were the pros and cons of them!

Check out the pricing on the links below

The TC Helicon Correct

The TC Helicon Create

Keep on Jammin’

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Hard as Hoof is one product that I hear about but I personally don’t know anyone who has used it. I did find this ringing endorsement from a classical guitarist named Perfecto De Castro who uses it. When viewing a youtube video of him playing shows you the stress that he puts on his nails. He’s not a spokes person for the company and that fact makes me feel a little more comfortable about his statement. There is another guitarist named Rico Stover who wrote a book called The Guitarist’s Guide to Fingernailsand he talks about Hard as Hoof and he recommends this product as well.

Sally Hanson, Hard as Nails Extreme Wear is another one that keeps creeping up in my searches. According to the company, they have removed all 3 of the unhealthy elements that are considered dangerous to our health that is found in most nail salon products. The three ingredients are toluene, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and formaldehyde. The effects of these ingredients are something that I did not know about until I was doing my research.

I’ve tried this product for around a week but I then found myself way too busy to get back to using this one. This was because we had just bought our home so renovations and nails don’t mix, trust me on this one! I think I might re-visit this product later on.

Nailene, Acrylic Strong is a product that I was introduced to by a nurse at work. I am so envious of this woman’s nails that it drives me crazy! When she let me take a closer look at them, they looked like you could use them as screw drivers! She says that it’s idiot proof, ah she was thinking of me, and that it is a low maintenance product. Ah, gotta put that one on the list too!

A guitarist on a guitar forum said some good things about a nail hardener by Barielle. Nail Strengthener Cream is the line that he was talking about and I really wish that I saved that article damn! As some products proclaim, this stuff was originally designed for the hoofs of horses around the world, really?

Last is this product by guitar players, for guitar players. It’s called Guitar Player Nails. This is something that has been on the market for a while but I’ve never heard of it before. It doesn’t mean that it’s no good but … well I haven’t heard of any other reviews of this one. Now this is where you guys come in!

I am pleading to you, my good readership, to help me out in the quest for the ideal nail hardener product! Has any of these concoctions, that I have just posted about, worked for you? If not then please inform me/us about the ones to avoid!

Keep on Jammin’

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1. Electric Guitar strings If the guitarist in your life plays an electric guitar. Make sure that Santa gets or knows what gauge of strings he or she uses. Just don’t go out and get the first ones that you find! If you don’t want to ask them, then look for an empty pack that they have lying around the house that have the old strings put back in them in, just case they need a spare string if one breaks. This is a very simple present that comes in handy trust me. Get 2 packs! When that special day comes, make sure that they place one pack in their case and one in the CAR! The one in the car will come into play when they run out of the ones in their case, ok?
2. Acoustic Guitar Strings Read above description!
3. Guitar Picks Buy around 50 individual picks because they fit everyone’s budget! You can never have enough of these things. I am constantly looking for some around the house! Also put some of these in the car, in their wallet or purse, give them to friends to hand out when needed and if he or she plays acoustic, throw a couple in the open sound hole of the guitar! They will forever be in your debt when the times presents itself!
4. Guitar Finger Picks This gift will make them try out different approaches to playing and even challenge them to branch off in uncharted musical waters! The worst this one can do is make them think about using it and you never know, it might provide them with a different style to add to their arsenal. I have some National Brand metal Fingerpicks and Dunlop 9002P Medium Thumb/Finger Picks . Both of these picks are designed to be flexible enough to mold slightly to the guitarist’s fingers. If you look at getting the plastic ones, I boil them in hot water before molding them to each finger.
5. Guitar Capo If you know which one they use purchase 2. I use the Kyser Quick Change Guitar Capo . Give them one and place the other one in the car just in case an emergency comes up. If you don’t know which one they use invest in 2 or maybe even 3 different types of Capoes. This will allow then to figure out which one suites them the best.
6. Guitar Stand This one is always a welcome sight to any guitarist or bassists! If they have more than one axe or guitar, get 2 if you can afford them. With this present it also makes the guitar easier to access and maybe make them practice more.
7. Guitar Music Stand This will be for those with a few bucks in their wallet or purse. Don’t get a bargain basement that is flimsy, this will only support a few pieces of sheet music and not much more. If it keeps falling over due to the weight/volume of sheet music on it, it may be a waste of money!
8. Guitar Tuning Machine You don’t have to acquire the top of the line model here. If the guitarist in your life doesn’t like it, keep the bill and they can go back and return it for something that they might find worthy of using. This will make both of you go to the local music shop and shop together. This will bring you both closer (Ah, isn’t that sweet?!)
9. Guitar Cords If that special someone uses these items, this is the wire that connects the guitar to the amplifier or PA system that they use, they will always breaks down at one point that’s for sure. I recommend you getting a top of the line brand. The ones that I have are the CBI American Made Instrument Cable – 10 Foot. I have used these cords for years and with good up keep, they might be around a few more. This type of guitar cord will provide long use and pay for itself over the long haul. Pick up 2 lengths if possible.
10. Gift Certificate for Guitar Set ups at your local music store I saved the best for last here folks or folkies! A guitar set up is when a trained guitar technician fixes the action on the neck (they adjust the truss rod) of the guitar that makes it easier to hit the strings down onto the fretboard! I can’t say enough of this gift. It may run you a few bucks but IT WILL MAKE playing the guitar easier to perform with. Sometimes guitars have a factory set up that is just too generic and at times the guitar gives off a buzzing sound when they hit certain strings in particular places on the guitar. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

So that’s it for this years top 10 inexpensive Christmas gifts for guitarists. I hope that I gave you some different ideas or things to think about. If you have any questions then just post a comment and I’ll get back to ya soon!

Ok 2 more bonus things to add to the list of gifts! If you can’t get out of the house for some reason and you want to purchase something on line and right away then these 2 ideas are for you.

Get a subscription to a online guitar magazine! Acoustic Guitar Magazine is one guitar related magazine that I’d love to get (just in case you listening Santa). Guitar Player Magazine is the other one. Both sites provide a wealth of guitar info that any guitarist will use! The lessons that they have in their video section will knock their socks off. Remember, the worst thing they can do is learn something right?!

So good luck in your search for the ultimate gift and let’s hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas and …

Keep on Jammin’ in the New Year

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This CBC pop rock documentary covers so many bands and their music that we all loved listening to during those impressionable years growing up. I will say that this DVD collection is a MUST HAVE for yourself or others!

I fell in love with this documentary even before it was aired earlier this year! As a matter of fact, I still have two episodes of them on out PVR. Even one of my favorite nurses at work, I’ll call her “Y”, is even into this DVD collection!

At first I wanted to break up these episodes into smaller post but I would have way to many of them and it would go on forever! The only thing is that the songs/bands in both of these CBC documentary DVD’s, ties together so many great memories that have happened to me in my experiences that I consider it the sound tracks of my life! CBC really does a real nice job of diving into Canada’s rick musical history and showcasing to us in this DVD. Just check out some the bands and their songs in this link to see what I am talking about.

This Beat Goes On covers some of the fabulous acts of the 70’s! This part of the DVD encompasses groups like Nash the Slash, The Guess Who, The Stampeders, Prism, April Wine, Joni Mitchell and The Kings. The line up will leave you wanting more!

Rise Up is all about the rock/pop culture of the 1980’s. Bands like Doug and the Slugs, Triumph, Red Rider, The Spoons, Northern Pikes, Neil Young, The Tragically Hip and of course Parachute Club just to name a few!

So if you can’t find a way to view these great doc’s on line or if you want to get them as a Christmas gift for someone who loves these bands, check out the links below for these DVD’s! So hurry up the Holidays are a comin’!

Keep on Jammin’

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As you all ready know, I’ve been a very good little boy this year, just ask my mom, and here is the list of electric guitars that I would like, anyone will be a great reward for all the good things I’ve done so far this year! I know that time is running out but what the heck eh? Better late then never Santa.

1. A 1957 Fender Stratocaster. This guitar is a classic! The sound that the single coil pick ups in this little beauty will bring a tear to anyone’s eyes. The neck makes it so comfortable to play that it can make anyone sound, or at least look, great! While flying around the world giving presents to all the good little boys and girls out there, see if you recognize this young lady and see if she may want to part with this one!
2. Next is a vintage 1968 Gibson Gold Top Deluxe. The double coil pick ups (P90’s man Mr Kringle, don’t they look unique? I’m trying to make it easy for you to let it apart from other guitars!) on this guitar has a super smooth sound that is so rich and full that it’s probably bad for your heart … if you play or hear it too much that is! Isn’t everything that tastes great bad for you? Don’t worry Santa, I’ve got lots of cardiologist friends at work. Besides, it’s for the long forgotten jazz guitar player in me.
3. Now I don’t want to be too much of a Christmas present hog so last but not least (I had to narrow it down a lot here) is the 1959 Gibson Sunburst Les Paul guitar! The sharp sound that comes out of this puppy is legendary! I’ve only held one and never actually strummed it because I was afraid that it would brake. So if you’d be so kind and find it in your heart of hearts to get me this one, then you’d really be helping me overcome my 59′ phobia!

So thank you for reading this e-mail Santa and say hi to Mrs Claus and the other little folks hanging around up there for me! Don’t worry about the dog barking, she will only lick you to death if you don’t pet her at least once!

Sing-cerly Chris

P.S. Keep on Jammin’ Santa!

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