show delay & Guitar Center buzz

I thought I would have a new podcast up today, but I've been sick for a couple weeks, thanks to a student who should have cancelled a lesson, but didn't.  She was miserable when I taught her.  After a few days of incubation, I was worse than she was.    Today, my voice is weak and I know I can't record without multiple coughing spells, so it will have to wait another week.  Apologies.

On Saturday, I received yet another mailer from Guitar Center. It was the one with Dhani Harrison on the front.  On page 2, the top headline is Gibson 2013 - The Year of Les Paul.    Then it has some sweet street prices for iconic  Les Paul models, like a price slashed Les Paul Traditional Pro II of $1999.99, down from the MSRP of $3199; the Les Paul 1957 Goldtop Reissue VOS for $4499.99 down from the MSRP $6352 and the Les Paul Studio Deluxe II down to a budget friendly $1399.99 from the MSRP of $1899. 

If you have the sale booklet to which I just referred,  there's a full page ad for their string club, which I mentioned last week.

There is also a product focus page with Taylor's new, fabulous GO, which was the subject of a Take Note segment some time ago and the following week it was among the Best of NAMM. 

I like being ahead of the trend.  I'm glad Guitar Center is picking up on the news and details I have been delivering to my podcast listeners.

I'll be back behind the mic next week.  I hope the podcast will go live by Monday evening.  Here's to getting my voice back and losing the cough.

get your blues chops together

Guitar Center, in conjunction with Gibson, Guitar Player, Marshall, Dunlop and Ernie Ball, is gearing up for its Blues Masters featuring Joe Bonamassa,  competition. Haven't heard about it?  Love to play the blues (and you're really good)? You should check it out.  

What are you competing for?  Great question. The grand prize is and opening slot for Joe Bonamass in Hollywood, $10,000, mentor session and studio time with Joe Bonamassa and producer Kevin Shirley, Marshall 1962 Bluesbreaker Amp, Gibson Custom Les Paul 1959 Re-Issue, full string endorsement deal with Ernie Ball (including strings, accessories and a feature on the Ernie Ball web site),  Dunlop Deluxe Pedal package (including the Way Huge Pork Loin, MXR Micro Flanger, Bonamassa Cry Baby and the Bonamassa Gold Hero III.)

What if you're really good but don't win?  You may be among the 10 top finalists, who will win a Marshall DSL40C amp, your choice of a Les Paul Traditional Pro II or Gibson ES-339 Traditional Pro, box of Ernie Ball strings and Ernie Ball Joe Bonamassa signature guitar strap, Dunlop GCB95 wah and Bonamassa Red Jazz III Player's Pack and a $250 Guitar Center gift card.  Hey, it's not the grand prize but it isnt' shabby either.

So, hone your chops, read the submission requirements and blast off with a little help from your social network friends and your friends at Guitar Center, Gibson, Guitar Player, Marshall, Dunlop and Ernie Ball.