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Generations Guitar Workshop To Raise Money For Alzheimer’s
February 27, 2008
April is going to bring more than showers to Bradford this year. The Generations Guitar Workshop will be bringing together area musicians for a day filled with learning, jamming, even an instrument exchange. It is scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Fretz Middle School in the large instruction room. The highlight of the workshop and evening performance will be Dan Peters and The West Side Winders from Chicago.
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Dan Peters has been named “Chicago’s Hottest Guitarist”. He will be teaching the Workshop’s Master Class, “Swingin’ Surfabilly Guitar Playin’: Know Your Roots!!” Dan will take students into a detailed analysis of several original compositions and how he developed his own unique musical voice through an appreciation of many different genres. Rockabilly, surf, blues, jazz, country and heavy metal all figure prominently in Dan’s self-proclaimed “Surfabilly” sound and he encourages all students to do their homework and “know your roots!!” Some of the influences Dan names are Brian Setzer, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Elvis Presley, Gene Vincent, Wes Montgomery, Joe Satriani, Dick Dale, Johnny Cash, Steve Vai, Jimmy Bryant and, of course, William Shatner.
All Workshop participants will be enrolled in the master class, but have the choice of participating in Morning I, Morning II, and Afternoon clinics that will explore different techniques and styles. The core group of guitarists organizing the event include Jazzabilly members Jim Ronan, and Grant Orris, as wells as Joel Anderson and Kira Leck.
In an e-mail interview, Jim Ronan had this to say:
In my opinion, Generations Guitar Workshop is a means for guitar players to come together and share their knowledge of the guitar. My hope is that there are some really good players that can bring their knowledge and experiences to the table and share them with others. I feel that we are more facilitators than anything. We’ll start out sharing our knowledge and hope that there is some interaction with the group. This is the first workshop of its nature in the Bradford/McKean County area, so it will be interesting to see how this develops.
Other local musicians conducting the clinics include: David Myslewski and Marg Terry, Allen Klein, Jack Krone, Philip Burlingame, Don Vought, Joel Golden, and Bob Hartle.
After expenses, all money raised will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. The local clinicians are all volunteer, donating their time and talent to share their craft with others and foster interest in the guitar, as well as benefiting Alzheimer’s research. Gathering the talent and bringing everything together for an event like this has been a lot of up front work for the organizers. The initial fundraising has been creative, including their Avon Fundraiser.
A pre-workshop event that promises to be a lot of fun is the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam at the Emery Expresso Bar (30 Boylston St., Bradford) on March 15, 2008.
Generations Guitar Workshop (along with some help from the East Bradford Businessmen’s Association) is sponsoring an (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam. There will be some pretty darn good food, a 50/50 raffle, bucket auction, music and other exciting events. The event starts @ 4:00pm. Tickets cost $4.00 for admission only and $10 for food & admission.
Tickets for the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam can be purchased on-line, at Orris Jewelers or the Emery Espresso Bar.
A unique feature of the Workshop will be the Instrument Exchange. Local musicians will be able to get some deals on some very nice instruments, or perhaps see their old favorites go to a good home. The instruments will be on display in a secure area during the workshop. If you’d like a sneak peek of some of the instrument, or would like to participate as a vendor, visit the Instrument Exchange page. If you plan to attend and would like to list your instrument you can email Jim Ronan at jronan@generationsguitarworkshop.org.
The workshop is also a great opportunity for aspiring teen guitarists. The exposure to the techniques and tips from a variety of accomplished musicians is hard to come by in this area. Attending the master class with Dan Peters is sure to be an experience they won’t forget. According to Ronan, arrangements can also be made for children 12 and under to attend with a parent.
Please note the registration deadline for the Workshop is March 15th, 2008, and participation is limited to 130 participants, including the evening performance. Workshop participants will be guaranteed admission to the evening performance with remaining tickets available to the public.
Reservations/tickets to all events, including the (Almost) St. Patrick’s Day Jam, are available on the Generations Guitar Workshop web site.
Questions or comments can be posted on TalkAboutBradford.com. You may also contact Jim Ronan directly. Email: jronan@generationsguitarworkshop.org, or phone (814) 362-3277.
Topics: Entertainment, Local Interest |
February 27th, 2008 at 9:28 am
Thank you so much for the great story about our workshop!!!! This will definitely help to rally the musicians in our area to attend!!!
Jim
February 27th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Although I will be busy taking photographs and getting video footage, I am looking forward to learning more about music and listening to some great musicians.
I am glad to be a part in this event.
Shawn Murray
Owner/ Photographer
Reflecting Memories Photography
http://photos.reflectingmemories.net
February 27th, 2008 at 10:59 am
This looks like it is going to be a fabulous event for a great cause! Anyone who get’s to work with Dan Peters is in for a real treat!
Congratuations Jim! I am sure everyone is going to have a great time!
Mindy Fox
North American Rock Guitar Competition, Manager
February 27th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Great article which increases publicity for this event! Although I am connected to the workshop by default (since Jim is my husband), I think it is providing a wonderful opportunity for the musicians in our community. The workshop committee, in the meantime, is also having a fundraiser through AVON right now. If anyone is interested, let Jim or I know.
February 28th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Thanks, for the write-up! This guitar workshop is a new idea for our area in exposure and entertainment! Thanks, again for the support! Let’s hope everyone who loves to hear a great guitar player,comes out to see Dan and hear him play!I, personally, hope all the young guitarists take advantage of the afternoon workshop instructors. There is a style for everyone to learn something new!
Grant
February 28th, 2008 at 7:39 pm
Nice write up.
Hat’s off to Jim,Iv’e been waiting for some one to start bringing musicians together.
Looking forward to hear Dan play!All my country pal’s better show up!
Bob
February 29th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Being a new guitar student of Jim Ronan’s, I am looking forward to the workshop. I know how hard he has worked to make this a success!!!
Great write up - hope the area/local guitar players take advantage of this opportunity!
March 1st, 2008 at 12:09 pm
For all you fans that have asked for some guitar
tips and lessons from (my husband) Grant, over the years…This workshop is the ONE to attend!!! Jim and Grant & Co., have worked hard to bring something like this to Bradford for the very FIRST time! Be sure to attend one or two of the classes, and if you you want to hear guitar music of some of the highest quality, make sure you attend the evening concert and hear Dan play!
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:11 am
I think this is the kind of thing that every community should be working towards. True art, education and generosity.
Music is my passion and it’s twice as sweet when you get to share. The rest of the country needs to take note. Kudos to Jim, Grant and everyone else involved in this amazing event. The world would be a much better place if there were more people like them. A lesson to us all.
My bandmates and I cannot wait to be a part of this awesome day!!!
See you then.