Tape A Concert - Make A Mint

I was recently listening to Elton John's 11-17-70 and wanted to find out a bit more about it.  It was an album that performed live in a studio and broadcast on the radio.  Tapes were made into the album that was released in April of 1971.  Several bootlegs of the show were available.  Which made me wonder what they were and what the quality was.

That led me to do some research in some newspaper archives.  GeneaolgyBank.com yielded this interesting look at bootlegging from the Trenton Evening Times, June 13, 1971.  The image of The Stones' boot album is rather blurry.  I'm assuming that the microfilm of the paper was of poor quality.  I added a clear image that I found at RollingStonesNet.com.

Since the ad for Hal's Stereo Sound Center appeared on the same page as the article I thought it would be fun to look at what was available at the time.

The Yellow Kites - another interview

It was about two years ago that I first met, and then interviewed, Kendall and Erina Ludwig. They make music together as The Yellow Kites.

The were recently in Seymour as part of their current tour.  We caught up a bit and I fired off some questions for them to answer.

Q: You have have a new CD, Alchemy.  When you write songs which comes first, music or lyrics, or do they flow out together?

K: I would say that each song is really unique.  Some songs come in one piece and other ones we have to work a bit harder for.


Q: Several of the songs have a great visual impact through the lyrics. I'm thinking specifically of Dirge and Skipper.  I suppose that all of your songs have some personal story woven into them, some more than others.  Can you share where you came up with the imagery?

E: Dirge is definitely an example of when a song comes out with both the music and lyrics.  We were sat on the beach in Hilton Head, SC where we went to grieve and the tune and words for the first verse just spilled out of me.  We have a really close attachment with the sea now as on our last day on the island we wrote little notes to our lost baby, Francis and our best friend Jascha, put the papers in glass bottles and cast them out to sea.  So those personal stories are heavily influenced by what we experienced this year.


Q: It sounds to me the music is a bit more complex on this CD compared to your self titled CD (Iooping, electric guitar), but there is still a sweet simplicity in the vocal harmonies.  What are you doing differently?  Is this risky for you?

K: I feel as if it's coming into maturity as a band.  Our previous album had simple tales and they were told in that manner.  As life has progressed for us our story has become increasingly more complicated and yet we still try to seek simplicity in our lives.  So in that way, I don't feel this is risky for us.

E: I also think on this album we're coming more into what we're about and what sounds we like.  Music is so fascinating and we love instrumentation, probably why we keep learning new instruments!  You should see our studio!  Each instrument is like another voice and creates a wonderful throng.


Q: How long did it take you to record the CD? Any special methods to the recording process?

K: The recording process was a bit of a blur for us this time as we did the brunt of it over the July 4th weekend, but we finished it up later.  So it was like 6 days total.   That's everything - instruments and vocals. As for special methods - our house isn't sound proof (it was built in 1860) so some fireworks probably leaked into the recordings at times.

E: But we did do instruments in the mornings (our talented musician friends came in the evenings to record) and we did our vocals later on when we were more awake.  Oh yes, and we tried not to die in our non-air conditioned studio.


Q: You're about in the middle of your Birds on the Porch 2013 Tour.  Since you're driving from date to date you must be logging many miles.  You said that you've converted your diesel Mercedes Benz to run on used vegetable oil.  Are you trying to be environmental friendly or were there practical reasons?  Is this a whole lifestyle change?

K: On our previous tour we watched so much money get burned up in gas expenditure. We wanted to try and eliminate that this tour.  And in our lives in general we try to be good tenants of the earth.  We bicycle, recycle and freecycle and garden too in order to keep our costs low and take care of the world around us. So, a vehicle that runs on veggie oil was the natural next step for us.


Q: Erina, you're playing viola now.  Any formal training?  And the sewing projects (iphone cases, fabric bookmarks, coasters)... are there any areas that your creativity doesn't touch?

E: Aww you're too kind! I've always been curious about everything and making things is my favorite thing. I've learned it isn't just in making stories up, but music and yes, sewing too.  Since losing two such dear souls to us my creativity has gone into overdrive.   It was my response to all that death.  I dreamt of playing the violin (I was learning how to play it when I was little, but didn't like practicing) earlier this year and decided I would play the viola instead.  It has such resonance and is both mournful and soothing.  No formal training yet, though I am working through a Sevcik Etudes book for first position and have other books and CDs to help.  I'm going to be taking lessons with IUPUI's talented tutors when we get back.  As for sewing, it's down to Pinterest.  Also what is a touring band without killer merchandise?  So we've really upped our game this time.

Q: What happens after the tour wraps up?  More writing?  Take some time off?  Can you take time off from music, just put the guitar and harmonium down for a week or two?

K: Great question.  Unfortunately we have to go back to our day jobs, which will actually be restful in comparison to our tour schedule.  But we'll also begin booking for our next tour and working on our third album.

E: We have several shows lined up already for September and October and we're thinking of doing a little Christmas season tour with our own arrangements of carols.  We'll have to keep you posted!


Q: What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?

K: Cookies and cream.

E: Hands down good old fashioned vanilla.

I'd like to thank Kendall and Erina for their friendship and for taking the time to answer the questions.

To learn more about The Yellow Kites you can find them at:

• their blog
• bandcamp
• facebook
• twitter

UPDATE: Their Mercedes Benz gave up the ghost at the end of August.  Go read more at their blog entry about it.

Back in the High Life

On Saturday I stopped at McKay Used Books and found a very clean copy of Steve Winwood's Back in the High Life CD.  I think that I used to own this back in 1986 when it came out.  I was first introduced to Steve Winwood's music by Steve Ott in 1981 or so.  Steve O. was my college roommate for a year.  He shared a lot of good music with me.  One of the bands was Traffic.  A young Steve W. was their vocalist.

Back in the High Life earned three Grammy awards.  There are some catchy pop tunes.  The arrangements are fantastic.  Horn and acoustic instruments compliment the synth that is the root of the instruments.  Reading the liner notes made me realize that there is no bass guitar on this album.

Lots of good players and vocalists.  Bob Mintzer on sax.  Randy Brecker on trumpet.  Joe Walsh and Nile Rogers on guitar.  James Taylor and Chaka Khan added vocals.

But nobody was playing bass guitar.

A fine album.  But it was missing something.  And it still is.

Guitars

My Bass

A few weeks ago at praise band practice I decided to pull out my phone and snap a few photos of my bass.  I present them here, mostly for documentation.  One of these days I really should take the good camera and take some decent photos.

1997 Fender California Series P-bass

My First Rock Concert

February 8, 1978. It was a Wednesday. I went with C.Y. Biggs, a classmate.

And the following day in the Plattsburgh State student newspaper, Cardinal Points:

Wal-Mart fail

I was on Facebook and I saw a press release from Phil Keaggy.  He's my favorite musician.

His new Christmas album is being distributed in Wal-Mart.  I hadn't heard of this, so I went to see if it is available at our local super center.

I'm confused.   It is either "Not Sold in Stores" or it is "Also In Many Stores".

Hmmm...

Might have to swing by the retailer and take a look-see.

Double Belled Euphonium

While running errands on Saturday I had to stop by a music store and pick up some strings for Edison's guitar.

The closest decent music store was Rush's, in south Knoxville.  Before they moved to this location, they had an interesting brass instrument on display.  It was a double bell euphonium, made by the King company.

 After I bought the strings I asked where it was because I didn't see it on display.  Rob pulled it from the boss's office and displayed it.

The fifth valve would direct the air into the second bell.

Here are some links to more double bell euphonium sites:

• H. N. White
• Wikipedia
• MMOA

Friday Night at the Squareroom

So, this last Friday evening I escorted Edison and his girlfriend (Caitlin), down to the Squareroom in Knoxville for an all ages show. I wasn't familiar with any of the three performers. Rubik didn't do much for me. I enjoyed David Bazan's simple musicianship. He just had a Telecaster and his voice. During the show I tweeted that mewithoutYou was like a cross between David Byrne and Art Paul Schlosser. I think that they could grow on me. The show started at 9pm. We didn't drop Caitlin off until 1am. Long day.

Trombone Shorty

Several weeks ago I went to Sundown in the City to see Trombone Shorty. The evening was pleasant. Then Caroline's pacemaker lead broke. The concert (for me) was shuttled.

But, today I found Trombone Shorty's segment at the 2010 Bonaroo Festival.

Kick back and relax for an hour or so.

KSO Blogger's Night - A Review

A week and a half ago I attended a Blogger's Night Concert, put on by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. They tossed me a pair of tickets and I was supposed to blog about it.

The review has been brewing in my head for the last ten days, and then one of their minions e-kicked me in the shins, gently reminding me that I haven't held up my part of the contract. So, here goes.

The program was entitled Shakespeare in Love. This was part of the Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series. And it was delightful.

I arrived about 7:10pm and missed the first part of "The Talk". "The Talk" is where Maestro Richman comes to the stage with one of the performers to talk about that evening's program. On Thursday night he brought Carol Mayo Jenkins and they sat and discussed Shakespeare, music, composers and the like. Then they opened it up for questions. Mind you, this is very informal. I felt a bit awkward raising my hand and asking, "Ms. Jenkins, have you ever done one of those '15 Shakespeare plays in 15 minutes' productions? And Maestro, would you consider scoring some music to play behind it?" I should have. Nobody asked a question. I don't know if they do "The Talk" before every concert or not. They did it last year with Ms. Perlman and it was fascinating. (Note to self: Show up on time. Don't be afraid to ask a question or two.)

The orchestra then came on the stage and warmed up. Then tuned. You'd think that they'd do it the other way around.

The first piece on the program was MacDowell's Hamlet and Ophelia, Op. 22. During "The Talk" Maestro Richman wondered if Korngold had listened and borrowed from MacDowell.

1911 Helmar Stamp (T332), Edward MacDowell

MacDowell's piece had a very cinematic feel to it. I closed my eyes and imaged the music as the background for a silent film. I wonder if Williams had listened to Korngold's King's Row when he wrote the Star Wars themes.

Next up was Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture after Shakespeare. If you watched TV in the early 80's you know this one. "Get all you favorite classical tunes, such as the Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet, as played by one of the greatest pianists of all time, Richard Clompen-Trompen. Relax as the soothing music flows from the keyboard and washes over your troubled soul. (music swells)"

1909 Ramly Cigarettes (T204), Peter Il’yich Tchaikovsky

Yeah, that one. You'll remember that in the Time-Life ads they really didn't mention Tchaikovsky. It might have quickly scrolled by on the screen, but Mr. Reagan wasn't too keen on promoting anything Russian at the time. (Note to self: Do a Google search on "CIA Mind control Time-Life records") The orchestra pulled this off brilliantly, bending to the Maestro's wand.

A short intermission ensued, long enough for the concert goers to visit the bar. And that they did. When the lights in the lobby went down and those on the stage went up, Maestro Richman shared the stage with four gifted actors from the Clarence Brown Theatre and the Women of the Knoxville Chamber Chorale. The actors performed lines from Bacon's Shakespeare's play to Mendelssohn's Incidental Music to "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Opp. 21 and 61.

1895 Mayo's Cut Plug (N300), Felix Mendelssohn

I was very curious to see how this would work out. Recently there was some discussion about concert goers clapping at the end of a movement (taboo) instead of waiting for the end of the piece. I wondered if the musicians would take offense at the spoken word stepping on their music. Apparently they didn't.

I wasn't overly familiar with either this story or the music. Sure, I read the guides and tried to remember if I had to read the play in High School. I don't think so. Basically, it is a dream sequence about love potions and fairies, braying asses and Puck, love and sleep. Well, there's more to it than that. Read it your self. The actors, using hats and flowers as their props, made me forget that there was an orchestra just feet behind them. I was drawn to Conrad Ricamora's performance, but all were good.

The opening and closing chords of this piece, although very short, gave me rest.

I'd like to thank the KSO for providing the tickets and I'd like to thank Maestro Richman for guiding the orchestra in a wonderful evening. And I'd like to thank Walker's Formal Wear for donating the actor's tuxedos for the performance. And thanks to Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville for sponsoring the program. This is either starting to sound like the Oscars ^{(insert trademark thingo here)} or look like the side of a NASCAR vehicle.

It was a very nice evening and I'm glad I attended.

The 'baseball' card images were lifted from the Library of Congress and cobbled together to make fictitious cards. Since you can't take photos during a performance, I let my imagination run amok.

KSO Blogger's Night 2010

I have been in contact with Stephanie from the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra the past few months, mostly to keep up with the Annual KSO Blogger's night. There was talk that it was going to be two weeks ago, but other events overtook that.

Now, it is official. On Thursday, Feb. 25th. As part of the Moxley Carmichael Masterworks Series they will be presenting Shakespeare in Love. Conductor Lucas Richman has selected three pieces based on William Shakepeare's works. Actors from the Clarence Brown Theatre will be offering lines from the Bard while the music plays.

Now, being the conspiracy theorist that I am (tongue in cheek), I would be remiss if I did not bring up the fact that Sir Francis Bacon wrote most, if not all the works attributed to William Shakespeare (link). Could it be that Maestro Richman knows of this and is presenting the works of MacDowell (Hamlet and Ophelia), Tchaikovsky (Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture) and Mendelssohn (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) to an unsuspecting audience? It is well known that those three hacks had plagiarized anything and everything that they could from their students. Really, can you tell me another piece that MacDowell wrote? Didn't think so.

I postulate that there was another composer behind all three men and played them as pawns in the game musical greatness. I have not yet completed my investigation into this but hope to by Thursday, February 25th. Until then, pass the bacon.

TriJangle interview, part 2 - John Austin

This is the second of three drive-by interviews with the main participants of the upcoming "Songwriters in the Round" show that will be held on Saturday, November 14. Three outstanding musicians and songsmiths will come together for an evening of good music at the Westridge Auditorium Theater in Elgin, Illinois.

Pierce Pettis, Pat Terry and John Austin are the featured artists. In case you missed it, the interview with Pat Terry can be found here.

John Austin was the second to respond to the questions, so he goes next.


Q: What guitar are you playing the most these days?

I play a Taylor 514-C that Doug White presented to me as a gift back in the mid 1990s, after the Takamine Santa Fe that I'd bought from Bill Mallonee was broken into pieces when it was run over by an airplane. (I bought the guitar from Bill after my beloved 1970 Guild D-25 was stolen.) I was drawn to the Taylor 514-C because it had a darker tone than the other Taylors that were out at the time. It's aging nicely!

Q: What are you actively listening to? What music is inspiring you?

I would echo Pat Terry's list. Honestly, I'm not listening to much music right now -- except for some old 78s from the early 20th Century that I sometimes play on my late grandmother's Victrola (which is almost the antithesis of an iPod). Some are from the 1910s and feature really cool Hawaiian guitar parts. Unfortunately there is still something wrong with one of the Victrola springs and half way through a song I have to get up from the sofa and start cranking the thing again.

But, in general, I'm inspired by artists who have a body of work; I've never really been inspired by new artists. The more dead they are, the better! Willy Deville, who died earlier this year, was a great, under appreciated singer/songwriter. Warren Zevon died a while ago, but I like the two records he did before he was diagnosed with cancer: "Life'll Kill Ya" and "My Ride's Here" (much of which he wrote with the also now dead Hunter S. Thompson). I like the Ray Davies song "Working Man's Cafe", and "Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap. As far as the current state of the music industry goes...I find the songs and attitude of Charlie Peacock inspiring. (And he's very much alive!)

Q: In a sentence or two, what did you take away from working with Mark Heard?

Capturing good music is a lot like collecting butterflies or bottling bees. And the secret to not sinking under is in having a good sense of humor -- you've got to hold onto that for as long as you can.

For more info about John, please visit his website, OfficialJohnAustin.com.

My connection to John Austin...

In the late 1980s and early 1990s I was involved with Community Christian Church in Naperville, Illinois. I don't remember the sequence of events, but a new church plant was being started in Chicago. Services were to be held in a nightclub. John was asked to play and I was asked to play with John. We opened the first service with David Bowie's "A Space Oddity." Major Tom and all that. I'm assuming that Doug had his hand in this somehow or another.

Ticket information can be found at TriJangle.com.

TriJangle interview, part 1 - Pat Terry

My friend, Doug, is producing a show. On Saturday, November 14, three outstanding musicians and songwriters will come together for an evening of good music at the Westridge Auditorium Theater in Elgin, Illinois.

Pierce Pettis, Pat Terry and John Austin are the "Songwriters in the Round".

I asked Doug if I could do a short interview with each of them. I tossed out three questions, one for the gearheads, the second one as the obligatory question (and I told Doug I wouldn't use: If you were a tree...), and the third one as the thread that runs through all three of their lives.

Pat Terry was the first to respond to the questions, so I'll post his first...


Q: What guitar are you playing the most these days?

My favorite guitar is still my 1970 Martin D28, which I bought brand new and have used on every project I've done since then.

Q: What are you actively listening to? What music is inspiring you?

I've been listening to Wilco, Rosanne Cash, Johnny Winter, and Leonard Cohen... and of course, there's always some Lennon/McCartney thrown in for good measure.

Q: In a sentence or two, what did you take away from working with Mark Heard?

Mark always drove home the importance of doing whatever was vital and real to me at the time. In the end, I think as songwriters that's all we have to offer.

For more info about Pat Terry, please visit his website, PatTerryOnline.com. His Q&A section has a lot more questions and his answers are more in-depth, but I specifically didn't want the guys to spend hours answering my questions. This was to be more of a drive-by interview.

My connection to Pat Terry...

Pat (along with James Dean Hicks and Roger Murrah) wrote the song, National Working Woman's Holiday. Sammy Kershaw recorded it in 1994, where it made it to the #2 spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart. Sammy's current keyboard player is Steve Farmer. I went to high school with Steve and were in a number of bands together, both legit and pick-up bands. So, it is almost like Pat and I are old buddies.

Ticket information can be found at TriJangle.com.

Symphony Night - rewind

This is a review/summary of the Knoxville Symphony Blogger's Night. In reading the other blog entries about Thursday night's concert, I'm kicking myself. If I had posted first, then they'd look foolish for using the same adjectives that I did. But I didn't post first. I'm well after the fact. So...

It was awesome. The venue, the selections, the performers, the conducting, the guest artist, the post-concert reception, everything. Awesome.

Really, it was.

Let's start at the end and work towards the front. Angie and I walked out with a reporter from City View magazine. She was there covering the blogging side of the event.

We left the reception room after all the other geeks bloggers had departed. Wine and cheese were served. I know nothing of wine and I avoided the cheese, mostly because it said, "Chili Lime, hand rubbed." I don't know what that means, nor do I want to.

We mingled with the other guests, Maestro Richman and Ms. Perlman, the featured artist. I was bold enough to ask them each for their autographs on my ticket stub. 

It was difficult to hold any depth of conversation because of the constant interruption for photo ops and hand shaking.

Now, mind you, this was at the end of a very long day for the conductor and pianist. Ms. Perlman had a bit of a head cold and was very gracious to attend the small party.

We met other bloggers and most of their names have left my head already. Frank. And Frank's blogfather. And Noah. And Noah's dad. Of course, That Chick and her trouper of a husband, Jason. He's an honorary blogger. He is quoted quite often. And KSO's own blogger, Katie. Then there was a gentleman that I took some photos for, but I can't for the life of me remember his name.

Kudos go to Stephanie Burdette for helping organize the evening and get all of the bloggers together.

After the final number, the Mendelssohn, completed we descended into the depths of the Tennessee Theatre. Beautiful building. On the inside. Nice on the outside, but beautiful on the inside. It was recently (in the last few years) renovated. The seats were comfy. I was very tempted to let my eyes close and let the music wash over me.

The intermission came between the Mozart concerto and the Mendelssohn symphony. Ms. Perlman was the pianist for the Mozart. I was not at all familiar with that piece. I think that it helps a concert goer to know the music, but this time I just listened and watched. Her style was extremely fluid. Her hands were the same. Lilting, graceful. And she had on some shiny silver shoes. It went with the flowing outfit that she was wearing. Normally a performer wears something staid and black. That's staid, not stained. Ms. Perlman's outfit had flowing arms and she looked like she was going out to a nice cocktail party. It worked for her.

Before she came out to the stage, Maestro Richman introduced her. His microphone wasn't working. The concert goers seemed to have no trouble letting him know that. Unruly visigoths. It wasn't on because the sound guy was also a stage hand. He was helping strike the set from the first piece, Bach's Brandenburg Concerto Number Three.

The musicians worked well together. Musically there were parts of it that were almost like the game of Hot Potato, but not so frantic. It couldn't be. Over half of them were wearing tuxedos. You can't play Hot Potato in a tux. It isn't proper. One has to gently pass the foil wrapped vegetable to the next person, not just throw it in the air. That's what they did with the concerto. They passed the figure from one player to the next. It was seamless. I think that the continuo player got stuck with it at the end of the first movement because she ended up playing the second movement by herself.

Before the small ensemble took the stage, there was much tuning and warming up. Typical musicians. No, wait. Most of the musicians that I know don't take time to do those things.

Jason and Stephanie were seated in the row just ahead of us. I guess they got the good seats. Actually, all the seats at the Tennessee are good seats.

The program actually started at about 7pm, when Maestro Richman took the stage for a chat, letting the concert goers in on some of the stories behind the music. He told us what to listen for, why Mendelssohn wrote the way he did (he studied Bach intimately). He invited Ms. Perlman out to talk about the Mozart concerto. Then a bit of question and answer. Yes, she has a family and stays in touch with them when she's on the road. She has a head cold. No, she's never recorded with her father (Itzhak Perlman, not Ron).

We arrived at about 6:45pm after a dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. I dropped Angie off at the front door while I parked at the State Street Parking Garage.

And that's the evening.

Summary: Top three things I liked about the evening...

1. Watching the orchestra respond to Maestro Richman's conducting.
2. Meeting other 'normal' people. People that enjoy music and life. And blogging.
3. Having the opportunity to enjoy a world class artist, Ms. Navah Perlman.

Awesome.

Symphony night

In about a week and a half Angie and I will be attending the Knoxville Symphony as part of their Blogger's Night. I first heard of it through a post at Byron Chesney's Knoxville Trivia Blog. Byron picked it up from a Frank Murphy post.

It has been several years since I've been to the symphony. Mind you, I like classical music. I've played many concerts, from grade school through college and beyond. The KSO will be playing some Bach, Mozart and Mendelssohn. The pianist, Navah Perlman, will be the featured artist.

It baffles me how the beautiful Navah Perlman

can be the daughter of Rhea Perlman
and Ron Perlman

I jest. I'm sure that it will be a good night.

6 Christmas CDs

The meme has struck...

If you were trapped on a desert island and it was Christmas and all you had was a small generator, Christmas lights for your coconut tree, an endless supply of Christmas cookies and eggnog, your CD player and 6 Christmas CDs , which 6 albums would you want them to be?

I think I'd select:

• Merry Mancini Christmas
  
• The Jethro Tull Christmas Album
  
• December
  
• A Charlie Brown Christmas
  
• The Little Drummer Boy
• Celtic Christmas, Vol. 2

But that's just me.

Updated

Okay. I started thinking after I posted. I need to add one. Therefore taking one away.

I'll add: 3 Ships

I guess I'll take away Celtic Christmas, Vol. 2. Sorry.

If you'd like to listen to some Christmas shows of an eclectic radio show, take a listen to the following:

• A few Christmas favorites you've come to expect - Dec. 14, 2007
  
• Oy vey! It's Christmas! - Dec. 16, 2005
  
• Oy vey! It's Christmas! - Dec. 3, 2004
  

What a long strange trip it's been...

It has been almost two weeks since I've blogged. Some notable things have happened during that time. Let's see. Sickness swept through the house. My folks showed up just in time to help with taking care of us. The fridge died and we got a new one. Edison turned fourteen. And got some cool birthday presents. I found and purchased Van Morrison's A Night in San Francisco double CD on ebay. And am falling in love with it. Caroline has some new books. And she loves them. Angie and I went and saw the movie Fireproof. And I love her. I filled up the van's gas tank for $1.709 per gallon. The first snow of the season fell. And through all of the busyness of this time, I am reminded of Paul's writings about about our Father...

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!

Ephesians 3:20

You can't make this up

This story appeared in today's edition of the Knoxville News Sentinel. I have left off the part where it names the two suspects as a courtesy to them.

Two suspects arrested in Seymour burglary

SEYMOUR - Two men have been arrested for their alleged roles in a Seymour burglary that was thwarted by a woman who beat them off with a musical instrument, according to the Sevier County Sheriff's Department.

The incident happened just after 9 a.m. Saturday at a home on Maryville Highway when two men forced their way inside while a "female and her young child" were asleep, a press release states.

The woman confronted the men with "part of a brass musical instrument and assaulted one of the suspects," who fled, the release states. The type of instrument wasn't immediately available.

Need I say more? I didn't think so.

Link to original story.

Mojos Rock Shoppe

There's a new guitar store in Knoxvegas. I was privileged to meet one of the owners, Jason Raggett, on Thursday night. Angie and I were representing DSAG at the VIP Night of the WIMZ Classic Rock Art Show.

Scott Segelbaum, of Rock Art Show, put the show and sale on. WIMZ hosted it and a portion of the proceeds will be given to DSAG. We are very grateful for for the support that they provide.

Jason's store is opening at: 12740 Kingston Pike, Suite 102 in Knoxville. He can be reached at (865) 671.2450.

They deal in vintage, unique and boutique guitars and amps. Jason had about 10 guitars at the art show.

They had some very sweet Fenders and Gibsons.

I was extremely taken by this Fender Custom Shop Esquire...


They also carry amps, including this original Fender Tweed...


No, I don't know all the model numbers or specs but I do know that I like guitars. Jason was kind enough to spend some time with me, talking about their history and their philosophy. It seems like the right kind of fit for Knoxville.

I haven't been to Mojos Rock Shoppe yet, but I will. And I'll take Edison. Hopefully he'll love it as much as I will.