Weblog - [Jeb McIntyre]

My fellow guitar lovers, we need your help. Too many of us are not participating in the workshops and concerts. We can't do this without you! If you've wondered if the workshops are for you, this is a perfect opportunity to find out. Pat is an extraordinary player, and a wonderfully funny and charming guy too. I promise you'll have a lot of fun.

Below is Elderly's description of Pat Donohue's workshop. Hard to improve upon it but to say that Pat is one of the finest fingerstyle guitarists playing today. He's won all the awards (Winfield, Grammy), has several major lable CD's in the market, and has one of the most coveted gigs in the world - house guitar player for the weekly NPR radio show the Prairie Home Companion.

Pat's workshop promises to be one of the best ever, and suitable for players of all levels. But for that to happen we need interested participants to let us know now. If we don't have enough interest by the close of business Monday we won't be able to make this workshop happen.

I urge you to sign up if you have any interest at all. I promise you won't be disappointed. Tickets are $35 for members, $40 for non-members. The workshop will be held at 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church on Sunday March 11th.

Jeb McIntyre, Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society

For reservations please contact:

Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society
255 E. Brown St. Suite 101
Birmingham, MI. 48009
248 646 4030 Phone
248 646 4598 Fax

"Opening Pat Donohue's file evokes a trip down memory lane--often more than one trip. Our file on Pat--which grows thicker with each appearance he makes in the area for concerts, workshops or festivals--is filled with praise for his playing--including but not limited to his long-standing Prairie Home Companion gig--his songwriting, and his teaching.

Pat Donohue's Fingerstyle Blues Guitar Workshop will be geared toward intermediate-level students who want to infuse their playing with the sounds of the blues greats. In this two-hour hands-on workshop, he will teach tunes, licks, turnarounds, and the stylistic hallmarks of legends like Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake and others, along with useful left-hand chord shapes and right-hand oves that will make anyone's blues playing come alive.

One of the articles on Pat appeared in the now-defunct Capital Times in December, 1997, prior to one of Pat's free in-store
concert at Elderly; it reads in part: "...his playing has impressed such knowledgeable fans as Chet Atkins, who called him 'one of the greatest finger pickers in the world today'." Titled "Finger Pickin' Good," the unattributed article continues: "Donohue's fluid style embraces folk, country, blues and jazz styles, and onstage he's known to dive into anything from a satiric Beatles medley to a blues treatment of The Star Spangled Banner."

If you haven't seen Pat in concert, or haven't attended one of his workshops, maybe this description of him will help you understand a little better the man and some of the reasons for his popularity and success. We found this on the website of master guitar builder Kevin Ryan, about Pat:

"...audience members call out any song they can think of. And then Pat just starts playing it. And not just stumbling through a makeshift melody. He actually plays it like some rollicking, wild thing he has worked on for years.... Part of it naturally is the sheer inventiveness of a guy who can just start playing a complicated song out of the thin air right on the spot. And part of the wonder is the sheer exuberance of Donohue himself. There is no mistaking the main point of music when Pat plays. Music is for having fun."

Then, contrasting Pat with artists who are careful to not "miss" a note, not take a chance, he adds, "Not Pat. Let the notes fly and let the joy fall where it may, devil be damned." And yet Pat can be described as meticulous. Sign up and you'll see.

Check out recordings we carry featuring Pat Donohue "

This Saturday evening, November 5th, the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society will be supporting our venue, the First United Methodist Church in Ferndale. There will be many items auctioned to help raise funds, including two nice guitars currently autographed by Muriel Anderson and Laurence Juber. There's lots of room to get everyone else we've booked this season. This is the ultimate fingerstyle wall-hanger!

To add to the excitement, several of our members will be providing background music. They area also available to autograph guitars :-).

Light sancks will be provided, and there is a small cover charge, but remember this is a fund-raiser for some very nice people who do a lot of good.

The activities start at 6:30, and the auction starts at 8:30. Have a nice evening and do some good too!

First United Methodist Church
22331 Woodward Avenue
Ferndale, Mi 48220
3 blocks south of 9 mile on west side of Woodward 

Billy McLaughlin Concert - Saturday Nov 12th 2005
Doors at 6:30  Showtime 7:30
22331 Woodward Ave
First United Methodist Church, Ferndale, MI
248 646 4030 Phone


Billy McLaughlin will make history when he performs for the Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society on Saturday, November 12th. McLaughlin enjoyed a rising career complete with Top 10 Billboard charting releases (Narada Records/Virgin) and non-stop national touring when he was struck down in 2001 by a mysterious and incurable disease that attacked his fretboard wrist and hand. Rather than quit, McLaughlin has been quietly re-learning his virtuoso repertoire - left-handed! His first-ever-entirely-left-handed-concert is arguably the acoustic guitar comeback event of all-time.

Routinely compared to Stanley Jordan and Michael Hedges, McLaughlin uses unorthodox tunings and techniques, playing with both hands on the fretboard. His compositions have been called "melodic" and "accessible" by the likes of Billboard Magazine, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and the Washington Post. A documentary film, Rewired, is currently in production tracking McLaughlin's journey back to the stage and will be shooting this concert. For the complete rundown on McLaughlin's story, please visit www.billymclaughlin.com

Billy McLaughlin Workshop - Sunday Nov 13th 2005
1pm-3pm 
22331 Woodward Ave
First United Methodist Church, Ferndale, MI

Billy McLaughlin will conduct an acoustic guitar workshop on Sunday November 13th at 1pm at the First United Methodist Church in Ferndale. Included in the workshop will be an introduction to two-handed tapping-style. You do not need to be an advanced guitarist to learn something valuable at this workshop! Developing and intermediate level players are encouraged to attend. Additional topics include practical use of alternate tunings, guitar amplification, and a music business question/answer segment. 

Workshop space limited. Cost is $35 for MFGS members, $40 for the General Public. Contact Mark Hawks for reservations or info.

Billy McLaughlin Audio Samples
Helms Place | Hurricane Bob | God Rest.. | So Long
Billy McLaughlin's Website
Website | Regarding his MFGS Concert | On Focal Dystonia

It is with saddness that we report our friends Vince and Karen Sadovsky have decided to close the retail portion of their business, but fortunately Vince will continue to offer lessons. For those who don't know him, Vince is one of the few true "Master Class" guitar teachers in the area. He's played professionally for decades, and has forgotten more than most of us will ever know. He's very busy, so get on the waiting list now. You won't regret any time spent learning from Vince.

As part of the closing, they are offering huge discounts on all their retail merchandise, including strings, books (they have a lot of excellent fingersyle guitar books), cases, stands, straps, etc. This is your chance to pick up that hard to find item as rock bottom prices.

They intend to be closed by November 18th, so get over there soon. Tell them Jeb sent you!

You can get all the location information from their website:  http://www.rochesterfolk.com/

Since we're all concernded about where to have competent work done on our instruments, I thought you'd all want to know about Mark Weninger Guitars. Mark is currently the local Taylor warrenty guy, and used to do Gibson. He's got over 20 years experience, works on both acoustic and electric instruments, and most important, knows when to refer work out.

You can reach him at 248 299.0165 or www.weningerguitars.com .

c/o IC �� 30733 West Ten Mile Road �� Farmington Hills �� Michigan �� 48336-2605 �� tel. 248.478.2525 �� fax. 248.478.2568

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH., SEPT. 7, 2005 The 7th annual Motor City Boogie Woogie & Blues Festival is double the pleasure. This year’s concert has more twists and turns than ever.

Promoters are returning the concert to the Royal Oak Music Theatre, for a twin bill on Fri. Oct. 14 and Sat., Oct. 15. Doors open at 7 pm, show at 8 pm, both nights. The concert was last held at ROMT in 2001, as a 9-11 firefighter tribute. It later moved to Detroit’s Historic Redford Theatre.

Changing venues and broadening the scope of the concert are just two big news facts. “It’s a fascinating spot for this new concert series – lots of seating options, great parking and wonderful street ambiance that our boogie-and blues crowd likes,” said local entrepreneur and businessman Ron Harwood of the venue change. Harwood is president and founder of Farmington Hills-based American Music Research Foundation and the internationally known design firm Illuminating Concepts. The festival has been his brainchild since the first concert was held seven years ago at Ferndale’s Magic Bag. AMRF is the festival producer; and DaimlerChrysler continues as the major sponsor for the third year.

For the first time, the increasingly popular concert venue is adding a second night. Friday night’s show spotlights pure boogie woogie roots artists. Michael Kaeshammer, Toronto keyboard wiz and audience fave, headlines the Boogie night. Missing in action for two years, Kaeshammer has been gathering international awards and recording new material. The supporting boogie cast includes keyboard sensation Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, from Vancouver; international artists Philippe LeJeune from Toulouse, France and sensation in the making Silvan Zingg from Manno-Lugano, Switzerland.

Saturday night’s concert features “Gen 2 Blues”. Second generation blues performers are those who follow in their parent’s footsteps. The big news is the appearance of Jackson 5 star Tito Jackson who shows the Detroit audience his blues side! Tito is a phenomenal blues player who learned in his formative years from his dad and then while in Detroit recording for Motown.

Also look for the Phantom Blues Band, who have backed up Taj Mahal and are part of the Blues Brothers touring band; also Bernard Allison (Luther Allison’s son); and Kenny Neal, offspring of blues harmonica legend Raful Neal; Tasha Taylor, whose fabled father, Johnnie Taylor, is known as The Wailer.

The festival will pay tribute to Johnny Johnson, former Chuck Berry keyboard virtuoso, who died in April. Proceeds also will benefit the American Music Research Foundation, a 503-C non-profit which assists needy musicians. Donations also will be accepted for Hurricane Katrina victims.

Tickets are $35; at tickets.com. Or call 800-919-6272. Tickets also are available at the ROMT box office through Oct. 15. A cash bar and adjacent parking are available.

Sept 17         Muriel Anderson

Oct 8            Laurence Juber

Nov 12         Billy McLaughlin

December 10        Don Ross

Workshops with the artists will be available on a first come first serve basis, with preference to Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society Members in good standing. This is a great chance to learn up close how your guitar hero does what he or she does.

As always, concerts will be presented at:

Our friends at AMRF (American Music Research Foundation) have a new site up. More important, they've announced this years concert information, and tickets are available now. This may not be fingerstyle, but it is great music. Highly recommended! Tell them the Fingerstyle Guitar Society sent you.

 Daimler Chrysler presents the
7th Annual Motor City Boogie Woogie & Blues Festival

Friday, October 14th   &   Saturday, October 15th 2005
at the Royal Oak Music Theatre

Friday, Oct. 14th - Boogie Woogie Revue
Bob Seeley (USA)
Philippe Lejeune (France)
Michael Kaeshammer (Canada)
Silvan Zing (Switzerland)

Saturday, Oct. 15th - "Gen 2 Blues"
Phantom Blues Band
Bernard Allison (son of Luther Allison)
Kenny Neal (son of Raful Neal)
Tasha Taylor (daughter of "The Wailer" Johnnie Taylor)

Produced by the American Music Research Foundation.

Welcome to the Fingerstyle Guitar web log. This is where we share information about upcoming concerts, our members, interesting gigs, and a host of other stuff of interest to our members.

Just click on one of the catagories to the right to find the information you are looking for.

Please sign up for our newsletter, and if you are a member in good standing we will shortly be upgrading your access to additional features of the site. We urge you to complete your profile. If you have any questions please send an email to  mark.hawks@fingerstyle.org or jeb@fingerstyle.org .

Post Concet Update: Erika Luckett is definitly a Fingerstyle guitarist! She's as good or better than any of the artists we've hosted to date, and an amazing singer as well. Highly recommended.

Michigan Fingerstyle Guitar Society board member Jeb McIntyre is hosting a house concert for Erika Luckett On Friday April 1st. While not strictly a fingerstyle guitarist, singer songwriter Erika Luckett's guitar playing is extraordinary. This should be a great concert.

Community Building is really what this site is all about. If any of you have further interest, take a look at some of the links below. Tor Hough from Edict.com suggested these links as a good introduction to the web-based community building concepts.

Community Building on the Web http://www.naima.com/community/

Cluetrain http://www.cluetrain.com/

David Wineberger http://www.hyperorg.com/

Doc Searls http://www.searls.com/

Christopher Locke http://www.rageboy.com/, Gonzo Marketing

Derek M. Powazek http://www.powazek.com/zoom/log/, Design for Community: The Art of Connecting Real People in Virtual Places

Web Log Resources http://www.informationweek.com/blog/resources.htm