Do you want to play an instrument but don't want to 'learn' anything? Well then you're a perfect candidate for the AUTOHARP! It's just barely harder than playing the radio. All you need is someone to tell you what chord to play and you just press that button and strum all the strings. It's that easy!! We even have an electric autoharp in our shop so you could plug in and get crazy psychedelic if you so desired. There's nothing stopping you.  If you have 2 working hands and you're not in a coma then you could master this thing by the end of the day!
-Mike

 The many times that his friends were at the house, my wife and I were happy to evacuate the living room and give them their space.  We often commented on how energetic and happy this group can party. Loud laughter, dancing, snacks, and unjudgemental friendship. Did I mention, no alchohol or drugs. We've learned a lot  over the years watching this group interact with one another. He kicked my ass in a chess match last night, I'm not used to that. My competitive side was hurting but my pride was elated that my baby out-bested me. The next day, mom prepared one of our favorite meals, chicken, mashed potatoes, and broccoli, so that softened the blow.  He's leaving tomorrow, back north, and we will miss him. 

We have many relationships in our lives but none compare to the love for our children. We've watched their every step, we've cured their pain and confusion, and our love for them has given us the strength and the  creativity to make their journey as obvious and transparent as we are capable. We love you Perry.

Experimenting with your effects chain is an easy avenue to pursue if you're looking to diversify your guitar sound. A simple example which I have found to be pretty fun is placing your reverb pedal before your distortion and cranking them both! Most "common-sense" guides discourage this because your tone loses all sense of clarity and separation, but it is so awesome come on! Instead of your distortion box clipping your clean signal, it takes this massive ocean of noise and then it sets that ocean of noise on fire! But anyways, try stuff out, experiment, never give up trust your instincts!

-Alex

I thought I'd attempt to tickle your funny bone this week so here's a list of some good music related jokes.  Most of the musicians or instruments in the jokes are interchangeable, so you can change them to rib whichever bandmate shows up late for practice.

"Whats the difference between a large pizza and a drummer?"
"A large pizza can feed a family of 4"

"What did the banjo player get on his exam?"
"Drool"

"How many bass players does it take to change a lightbulb?"
"One Five One Five One Five"

"How can you tell if the stage is level?"
"The banjo player is drooling out of both sides of his mouth"

- A man walks into a music store and says to the clerk, "I'd like to play that big red saxophone".  The clerk replies, "You must be a banjo player". The man says " I sure am, how'd you know?" Clerk scoffs, "Because that's a fire extinguisher."

"Whats black and blue and lying in a ditch?"
"A guitar player that told too many drummer jokes"

"How does a lead guitarist change a light bulb?"
"He holds it and the world revolves around him"

"What is a gentleman?"
"Someone who knows how to play mandolin but doesn't"

"What does a mandolin player use for birth control?"
"His personality"

"How can you tell there's a mandolin player at your front door?"
"They can't find the key, the knocking speeds up, and he doesn't know when to come in"

"Whats the difference between a ukulele and a trampoline?"
"You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline"

"Whats the difference between and ukulele and an onion"
"Nobody cries when you cut up a ukulele"

My wood working skills don't stop at the shop. On my day off, I mounted a new mail box at the house. Ok, you caught me, it's metal. The mailman will leave me a dark  chocolate raisin cluster when he see's this. It's the deal we have. Till next time! - Al