Pretty sad day in the world of music -- Hughie Thomasson, lead guitarist of the Outlaws, a band I've followed since their teen center days in the 1960's passed away on September 9th at this home in Brooksville FL. The "Guitar Army" is no more. I hope you'll all take a moment or two to remember Hughie while listening to "Green Grass and High Tides"...
Now back to what's usually up here
Just an old rock and roller...used to work in concert promotions and photography in the 1970s and '80s. I was trying to get back into things with "eXposure", a service offering bands both PR and live performance photography and electronic press kits but haven't really pushed at it too hard. I'm old school film photography...you know, without the pixels, and a lot of black and white. I do also have a digital camera but it's not particularly high buck and for now, I'm sticking with what I know. Apparently what I know has limited appeal LOL
I also produce DVD slideshows for events such as band reunions, family and class reunions, pretty much anything you'd like a hip slideshow for
I am slowly moving my slideshows of band photos to the photo area of my site. Some of these were taken with the el-cheapo digital and converted to black and whites, others shot with my trusty Canon T70's or even older T50. Please leave comments on the photos so I know if what I'm doing even appeals to anyone, but since I'm a lousy musician, I'm living vicariously through my viewfinder.
About 2 years ago I got a Washburn Pro Strat-copy and a Washburn D100 acoustic and re-kindled my interest in playing guitar. I've been plugging away at it but I'm still not too impressive, possibly because I only get to practice in spurts. I tried playing with guitar picks I got from people who have real talent hoping some would rub off but no luck...my apologies to Chris Anderson, Hughie Thomasson, Henry Paul, Steve Earle and Lee Simpson--your talents are yours and non-transferable it appears, but hey, it was worth a shot! I have learned why the call 'em bar(re) chords--I've been sober for 13 years and those babies drive me to want a drink. God bless long time friend, Dennis Lawson, who tells me I'm improving even when I have to think he's just "being nice" (GRIN). Big thanks to Den for going onstage with me August 3 at the Studio Cafe in Orlando--my first time playing in front of an actual audience. We've played a few other times there as well.
Two weeks ago I quit smoking -- the guitars were supposed to help me stop smoking but it took me two years to work my way around to it. I'm still struggling every day with the urge to light one up but I'm hanging in there, largely due to the aforementioned friends Dennis & Lee, who have both been extremely tolerant of my cranky moods and have given me numerous pep-talks and "you can do its" ...you guys are awesome!!!
In salute to all my musician buddies, I offer the following advise all non-musical fellows to heed the following advise wisely!
I've also been a genealogist for over 15 years so if you're also into family history and have hit a brick wall, my research rates are pretty reasonable and I could use the money to support my other habits!
