Tag: guitar

What does a Playboy Playmate, Pussycat Doll and Big Screen Actress Have in Common With a San Diego Guitarist? A Wedding Blog

on By 2 Comments

That got your attention!

So what does a talented young lady with these celebrated credentials have in common with a classical guitarist? 364 days a year not much, but, for one day I was the wedding guitarist for just such a person.

This past summer mixed in with all my wedding playing, teaching and other musical activities I did have the honor to play for Playmate, Pussycat Doll and actress, Rachel Sterling. Her acting acclaim includes Wedding Crashers, True Blood- HBO series and a long list of other credits to her name.

So who, what, where, when was this wedding…details, details, details? Not being the National Enquirer or any other supermarket tabloid, I’m not gonna say. You can do the research if it is that important to you. I can tell you it was a typical beautiful Day at the Beach in San Diego….Sunny & 70…as always. (Two shameless plugs)

I can tell you while prepping, I was excited to have a celebrity wedding. Going over in my mind “Wow!”, who is going to attend? Will there be crazy Hollywood types with lots of hoopla? Paparazzi hiding in the bushes? Would I be interviewed by E! TV, wondering what kind of napkins they had?

Well I will tell you exactly what happened…a wedding broke out. A regular, very nice, but, regular ol’ wedding for two people in love to share their vows in front of the ones they love. There was family, friends, beautiful women ….in a nutshell…it was a wedding! A cool wedding for a cool couple! I had nothing but a good experience working with Rachel over the phone, email chats and day of, she was a great easy going bride!

The biggest difference about this wedding than my many others was my friends and families reaction. Usually, my friends say oh cool your playing a wedding this weekend…good luck. But, for this one…I never had so many offers to be my roadie, my soundman, my bodyguard…you name it.

I’m looking forward to keeping an eye out as Rachel’s career unfolds over the years and remember the day that this classical wedding guitarist from San Diego played a superstars wedding!!

Rachel and Logan thanks so much for having me play guitar for you and your guests! I wish you the best in your marriage and careers and hope to play as you renew your vows when we are old and gray.

Orfila Winery, A San Diego Guitarist Blog- Performance Aug 24, 2012

on By

Had  great weekend of gigs! Friday evening at Orfila and a cool wedding on Crystal Pier on Saturday.

Orfila is a winery located in San Diego’s North County near the Wild Animal Park…its still hard for us native San Diegans  to call it Safari Park.
Not exactly sure what is it; the mountains in the background, the gardens overlooking the vineyard, the wine or the music but Orfila has the mojo for relaxation. Everyone who has been there to see me play has a great time.

I had a blast playing a mix of classical, flamenco and rock/pop guitar for them once again. Here are a few pictures from the night. Thanks to all of you who made it out!!!

My next Orfila event is September 30 3:00-5:30, a Sunday afternoon.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Crystal Pier, A San Diego Guitarist Wedding Blog

on By 1 Comment

This was my first wedding on the pier and it was a really cool venue! Took place between some of the cottages…which BTW I think I will put on my ‘Things in San Diego’ to do list, stay overnight on the pier. So relaxing to hear the waves crashing underneath.

I do have to say after growing up in San Diego and hanging at Pacific Beach so many times it was definitely odd to be wearing a suit and tie and not a bathing suit and flip flops!!

Congrats and best to the happy couple, thanks for having me play for you!

Here are a few pictures from my vantage point during the wedding(taken after the wedding of course) and a couple sunset shots as I was leaving.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

 

 

Feel Good Friday Guitar at Orfila Vineyards and Winery

on By

Hi Everybody,

Mike Performing at Orfila Vineyards & Winery Jul 14, 2012

I am very excited to be back at Orfila this Friday, August 24, 3:30-6:30 PM.  If you are looking for a great way to unwind and start your weekend off right this is the place. It is so relaxing out in their gardens, overlooking the vineyards and enjoying a glass of wine and some guitar music.  Click here for details.

All ages are welcome.

 
Two For the Road   ‘Mobile American Comfort Food’ a gourmet food truck will also be on hand.

Hope to see you there and play for you!!

Music to Relax! Fight, “Reality, a New Beginning”

on By 1 Comment

Alright, most of you are going to think I am insane!

Fight was a 90s heavy metal band formed by Judas Priest singer Rob Halford. They were not a thrash metal band like Metallica but very heavy nonetheless.  In addition to Halford’s powerhouse vocals Fight always had great, very crunchy very musical guitar riffs.

I know heavy metal isn’t for everyone. It is an acquired taste that grows over time, but, in my opinion well worth the time. Many amazing virtuoso musicians over the last 40-50 years have chosen this hard edged rock as their genre as it allows for musicality and creativity not afforded in other popular styles.

So how can this song be considered relaxing music? It is kind of like how you feel after a workout. Your endorphins release and you get what they call a “runners high.”  There have been times I was driving home from a rough day and cranked a band like Fight..probably a little bit towards full volume and it really helped me get all the aggressions out. It calms me right back down like a nice shoulder massage would.

This is definitely different than the typical pastoral music I usually share on my “Music to Relax” articles. Although I know it is not for everyone maybe you can obtain  more of a grasp on why people truly do love heavy metal music. There are other forms of ‘ugly’ music that people enjoy as well. Think of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring or some free Jazz that does not follow the ‘normal’ ideals of nice sounding music.

Keep your ears open my friends!!

Its “Easy” You Never Cut the Guitar Solo!

on By

What are you thinking?!

I was watching  NBC’s Today show this morning with my 3 year old daughter. Legendary singer Lionel Richie was the featured performer. His second song was “Easy” …(Like Sunday Morning) a mega hit from his days in the Commodores. Being the guitarist that I am I grabbed my daughter from her morning play routine and said you have to listen to this guitar solo!

She patiently sat on my lap as I kept telling her here it comes! If you’re not familiar check out the video to hear the solo which starts at 2:47. It’s not the most technically demanding solo but it is iconic.

Back to the story…as my daughter appeases me and waits for the guitar solo that I am building up…Here it comes! Here it comes!

THEY CUT IT OUT!!! What the heck? That’s like peanut butter without jelly, Abbott without Costello, breathing without air!

I need answers, you don’t cut out an iconic guitar solo!! Even my wife knows you don’t get out of the car until the guitar solo is over…I am guessing it was a time thing for the show.

Here is the sadly ironic part, half an hour later they had an extended segment with the most ridiculous looking dude who is a profession air guitarist.

I know not everyone’s life is governed by guitar solos but C’mon NBC!

Tough Day at the Office: Musings of a San Diego Guitarist –July/August Weddings

on By 2 Comments

It’s been a little while since I’ve blogged about my wedding performances so here is a combined effort from the last four. Each was unique and as always great people to play for! Congrats and best to you all!

* * *

One of the cool things about teaching and performing so long in San Diego is building up a clientele which become more like friends. Here’s a brief back story behind a recent July wedding…

I had been teaching a student for a few years when her uncle got married and they asked my guitar duo to play for the wedding which we did. A year or so later this super sweet guitar student of mine passed away. With a heavy heart I played for her memorial. This recent July wedding was another chance to play for the family…I’m always honored to play multiple events for my clients!

This wedding was also unique as I got to perform with two outstanding singers. One was an opera singer and the sister of my previously mentioned student and the other a family friend who sings musical theater. It was a pleasure to work with them both and their contrasting styles and talents.

* * *

So I got an email in July asking if I was available to play a wedding…koto, violin and guitar.  First thing I thought was “that sounds interesting” and immediately jumped on the chance to play with some new musicians and a unique ensemble. Plus I always enjoy playing at Loews Coronado resort one of San Diego’s incredible wedding venues.

If you don’t know, the koto is a Japanese instrument kind of like a harp that lays flat. The sound is truly amazing and I found myself listening attentively during our performance.

We played a mix of typical classical wedding pieces, as well as, western pop for the cocktail hour. Personally I would have loved to play some traditional Japanese music to bring out the koto’s personality.   No rehearsals and it went great! I look forward to playing with this ensemble again.

* * *

Looking for a great wedding venue in San Diego? Recently, I found an amazing somewhat unknown spot in Balboa Park’s Administrative Courtyard. The venue is really beautiful, located in Balboa park and has views of the downtown skyline, Coronado and other parts of Balboa Park. In addition to all these attributes the courtyard is located on the east side of Park Blvd. which makes for easy access and parking not afforded at some of the Park’s more popular locations.

Great couple too! Good luck to you both on your move across the country!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

Seagrove Park in Del Mar is always a great wedding venue and with temps around the county reaching the high 90’s and 100’s I was really looking forward to playing atop the bluffs overlooking the Pacific! …then cocktails at the Del Mar Hilton adjacent to the Del Mar Racetrack/Fairgrounds.

The couple had some special requests for their ceremony music. I learned “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel and Andrea Bocelli’s, “Con Te Partiro” or in English “Time to Say Goodbye” which will definitely be added to my wedding repertoire.

Booking this wedding was a little different as I did not work with the bride and groom at all. I was contracted through a New York DJ and party planner who I hope to work with again…maybe in the Big Apple next time! Thanks Martin!

* * *

Coincidentally, two of these events I got to work with the good folks at GD Productions. It is amazing to be playing guitar for so long in San Diego and then back to back weekends work with the same vendor who I had never worked with before…check them out for all your party needs!

Well that’s it in a nutshell …the last month of guitar and weddings in Sunny San Diego.

Click here for previous wedding posts!

No Olympics on TV Burnout??? Listen to Some Music!

on By

That was some serious TV watching every night for the past two weeks. Riveting coverage of sports that we only care about every four years. But it was riveting.

 

Now what are we all gonna do? Watch re-runs of Chopped, Modern Family or Big Bang Theory? You could read a book or do a project with your family. All good ideas.

Here is my nickels worth of free advice…LISTEN TO SOME MUSIC! Not on your TV, not on your computer on some sort of music device!

A little too retro?

 

Find some old jazz or classical piece. Play some of your kids favorite music. Play your kids some of the embarrassing music you grew up with. Better yet make your own music… every home has a guitar or piano tucked in a distant corner, right?

Give the giant screen on your wall a break for 30 minutes tonight. You will feel like you really did something different…because you will have done something different.

IPod Shuffle – Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic

on By

Hmmmm, I figure if I am going to blog about music any topic should be fair game. And since my IPod has just about 7,000 songs from rock, metal, classical, pop, Latin to avant garde and everything in between, why not leave the subject matter to chance?

Not sure about you but I am a shuffler! I rarely listen to albums all the way through. I like to hit the shuffle button and let the bon temps roule! Of course if something comes up I am not in the mood for I can always forward to the next song. Rocking out to Led Zeppelin and then getting thrust into an early Baroque organ ricercar doesn’t always vibe…although there are times when my ears are wide open and they go together like chocolate and peanut butter.

I’ve been thinking why not hit shuffle on the ol’ MP3 player and whatever comes up will be the inspiration for a post. Like I said earlier I should be able to come up with something interesting from any piece of music no matter the genre.

So here it is the first entry in my IPod shuffle series and I got an easy one, “Toys in the Attic,” the title track from Aerosmith’s classic1975 album. “Toys” featured two of Aerosmith’s mega hits “Walk this Way” and “Sweet Emotion” both radio and pop culture staples since the day they hit the scene. Even as little kids we knew these songs.

I have to admit that for a brief period I actually thought the album was called ‘Toys-amatic.’ If you don’t know, the phrase toys in the attic, is a reference to someone who might not have everything going on upstairs…a little nutty…insane! Not so much related to the comically ironic picture on the album cover featuring…toys….in an attic.

This album was pivotal in my musical, and life, development. I was almost a teenager when some of the neighborhood kids were getting me into New Wave bands like Devo and The B52’s, both cool bands in their own right. Then a longtime childhood friend opened a can of ‘Whoop Ass’ on me basically telling me what a whimp I was and to listen to this Aerosmith album…which was “Toys in the Attic.”

Of course having to prove my twelve year old manhood I told him I knew all about Aerosmith and to save face proceeded to give them a listen. Amazingly the music opened a revolution on that twelve year old kid! I could not get enough hard rock after that. Aerosmith led to Zeppelin to AC/DC to the life changer…Van Halen!!

Once I heard Eddie Van Halen play guitar, I knew that was what I wanted to do the rest of my life! Here I am 30 years later with two degrees in classical music and a career as a guitarist!

Socially, being a rocker, led to the friends I made in school which led to some life long best friends I’ve had up to this day! Who knows where my life would have gone if I didn’t jump the New Wave ship to a life as a rocker kid turned classical/jazz/flamenco guitarist. Maybe I would have been the keyboardist in a Flock of Seagulls cover band. Thank you Aerosmith!