B.David Stevens Performance

A quick interview and performance by christian artist, and Peter Vogl student, B David Stevens. In the video David performs his original song "Life". To hear more of his music visit David's myspace page.

Watch the performance in Quicktime Video.

“I gained an interest for learning guitar about 3 years ago. I purchased a guitar and started to teach myself. However, I knew that if I wanted to be polished I would have to take lessons and if I wanted to be great, I had to take them from the best. After learning about Jan Smith Studios and taking lessons from her, I discovered that one of the best guitarist in Georgia taught out of her studio: Pete Vogl. Taking lessons with Pete has been phenomenal. Pete not only focused on technique, but he explored how my instrument could compliment me as a vocalist. He was interested in the entire package and that’s what I liked! I would definitely recommend him to anyone from any background. Pete is honest, straight-forward, current, and very gifted. You won’t be sorry!!” B. David Stevens, Christian Artist

Jimmy Reed tribute video from Austin City Limits

One of our all time favorite shows, Austin City Limits, has started including Quicktime video clips of performances on their website. There are couple from last year, but basically it starts with this season.

On October 27 Austin City Limits will have a tribute for bluesman Jimmy Reed:

"Joined by blues luminaries James Cotton, Delbert McClinton and others, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan pays tribute to blues legend Jimmy Reed, composer of the classics "Ain't That Loving You Baby," "Big Boss Man" and "Baby What You Want Me to Do."

Go to the website to watch the perfomance of Baby What You Want Me to Do.

Guitars and Women

The Mad Stratter tips us off to this anonymously written list of ways that guitars are better than women.

# Guitars don’t get pregnant.
# You can play your guitar any time of the month.
# Guitars don’t have parents.
# Guitars don’t whine… unless you want them to.
# You can share your guitar with your friends.
# Guitars don’t care how many other guitars you’ve played
# Guitars don’t care how many other guitars you have.
# Guitars don’t care if you look at other guitars.
# Guitars don’t care if you buy guitar magazines.
# You’ll never hear, “Surprise, you are going to proud father of a new guitar!” unless you go out to buy one yourself.
# If your guitar is flat you can fix it.
# Your guitar doesn’t care if you never listen to it.
# Your guitar won’t care if you leave up the toilet seat.
# You don’t have to be jealous of the guy who works on your guitar.
# If you say bad things to your guitar, you don’t have to apologize before you play it again.
# You can play your guitar as long as you want and it won’t get sore.
# You can stop playing your guitar as soon as you want and it won’t get frustrated.
# Your parents won’t remain in touch with your old guitar after you dump it.
# Guitars don’t get headaches.
# Guitars don’t insult you if you’re a bad player.
# Your guitar never wants a night out with the other guitars.
# Guitars don’t care if you’re late.
# You don’t have to take a shower before you play your guitar.
# If your guitar doesn’t look good you can refinish it or get new parts.
# You can play your guitar the first time you meet it, without having to take it to dinner, see a movie, or meet its mother.
# The only protection you have to wear when playing your guitar is a decent thumb pick.
# When in mixed company, you can talk about what a great time you had the last time you played your guitar.

And the Guitar Site directs our attention to Grover Allman's Chicks on Picks series. Which may be not safe for work since it features scantily clad women on guitar picks.

Mike Rickard Guitar Performance

Guitar playing advice and performance by guitarist, and Peter Vogl student, Mike Rickard. In the video Mike performs his original song "Lucky". To hear more of his music, visit mikerickard.com or his myspace page.

View the Quicktime video performance.



Bio: Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Mike Rickard sang with several vocal groups while touring the US and internationally before he began writing his own music and playing the guitar. In 2004, he released his debut CD, the critically praised “Stirred Not Shaken.” The CD, a collection of self-penned songs, displays Mike’s sensitivity and humor in dealing with the big issues of life: things like fear, loss, and loneliness, to finding happiness and love. The title of the CD comes from the irreverent line from the gospel rock track, “Who I Am” – “So here’s to all the therapy I guess I should have taken/If I had to sum it up, I’ve been stirred but I’m not shaken.” Mike loves to share his music with live audiences at various festivals, clubs, coffeehouses, and home concerts. He plans to begin work on his second CD in the fall of 2007.

Mike's thoughts on Peter Vogl: Peter Vogl is a masterful guitar player and a great teacher. But he is more than that – he is a true artist. Peter continually challenges me to develop new skills; but more importantly, he has taught me that music comes not from perfect technique, but from truly believing in, and communicating through, my songs. He has taught me to look for interesting chord variations, to “change it up” and improvise to keep it fresh, and to be willing to make mistakes and learn from them. He has also taught me a lot about song structure and has been instrumental in my development as a songwriter.

View all of our performance videos

Johnny Winter Guitar Lesson and Youtube Vids

Jody Worrell has a new lesson out where you can learn some blues guitar licks in the style of Johnny Winter. The licks will focus on Johnny's note selection and trademark wide vibrato technique. Watch a preview of this lesson.

If you're unfamiliar with Johnny Winter check out this vintage performance and recent interview.

U2oons

Cartoon by Ian Ink, brought to our attention by IG Blog