Greetings everyone:

As usual I start with profound apologies for my delay in posting since the turn of the year. I have had to pay extra attention to some family issues. I am glad that my Buddhist practice helps me renew myself each day and keep me centered.

The grandest event thus far has been the winter NAMM show in Anaheim CA. I attended through the graciousness of master guitar maker George Lowden who included me with his entourage after the official deadline for passes and such had passed. George and his wife Florence made me feel immediately ‘at home’ in the midst of the tumult of this massive extravaganza of music, gear and sales reps. After playing one of George’s guitars for the past twenty or so years it was a blast to play all of the new models, essentially the ‘next generation’ after mine. Despite wood differences and design developments George’s guitars all have a common aspect to them — I could identify a Lowden even blindfolded (yeah, that’s corny but true). There’s an immediacy to the feel and sound even though each model is different. I actually wrote a new bossa nova after playing the small-bodied model. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet up with Richard Thompson and become re-acquainted with Alex DiGrassi at George’s booth.

Of course, I spent a great deal of time in the Godin room playing countless nylon-strung Duet and Ambience models, the fabulous Multiac Jazz (I could have happily taken this one home) and the amazing solid-body Passion (Orange amp cranked into overdrive, obviously). Robert Godin has really created the standard for production instruments. I have my endorsement with them because of the quality and the way they handle things — Fred DiSanto (and Mario Biferreli before him) have always worked with me on a personal basis and Robert himself is one of the nicest people in the business, a genuine guitar fanatic who will crawl around on his hands and knees to adjust a sound system while you play so things feel and sound right.

I also spent time at Ibanez, playing catch-up with long-time friends (as well as getting an autograph from Slipknot’s Mick Thompson for my son), checked out LR Baggs new acoustic pickup, brought my regards to Mary at John Pearse Strings….. well, the weekend kept going. Needless to say it was a great way to spend the weekend, though not exactly a vacation (Disneyland’s not my style anyway) it was great to step into a music-intensive environment , albeit a business-oriented one, and do what I do. I don’t know if any of the video footage of me makes it to YouTube — I’m not quite the international celebrity that demands posting online as I tune up and pass along silly remarks. I did meet a lot of attendees who took the time to ask about my playing and my future touring and my website etc. It’s all good….

I’ll be posting some more this week — absolutely.

I hope all is well and no one was truly snowed-in this weekend.

Matt