Alan Weinkrantz’s Stream of Life

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February 10, 2010

Valentine’s Day eCard with “I Found You” ultra extended edition | from @BrianRayGuitar

via brianray.com

This is a terrific idea, from @BrianRayGuitar.

Also, note the fan engagement here.  Brian issued a series of questions to his fans.  See the worldwide response.  Way cool.

Share this song of love with someone you love on Sunday.  Get it here.

Happy.

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Filed under  //   "I Found You"   #This Way Up   Brian Ray  

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November 4, 2009

Paul McCartney and his amazing band video- live at CitiFied - sneak preview of his new album / DVD

Having had the opportunity to see @PaulMcCartney in Dallas and his amazing band which includes @brianrayguitar was an experience I will never forget.

Here's something I just found on the McCartney site from his CitiField performance.  You can order direct from Sir Paul here or on Amazon.

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Filed under  //   Brian Ray   Paul McCartney   Paul McCartney Dallas  

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October 27, 2009

I just pre-ordered Amazon.com: Good Evening New York City [2 CD/1 DVD Combo]: #PaulMcCartney

via amazon.com

November 17, Paul McCartney releases his combo CD/DVD set of his performance at CitiField. I was at the concert in Dallas, and all I can say is that it was an event I will never forget. Here was my review from an earlier post.

Worth following: rayguitar">@brianrayguitar. Brian is Paul's rhythm and bass player (when Paul is on piano) and has a new CD coming out soon - This Way Up.

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Filed under  //   Brian Ray   Paul McCartney   Sir Paul McCartney   This Way Up  

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August 30, 2009

Facebook | Redbone Guitar Boutique

via facebook.com

If you live in San Antonio, or travel to San Antonio, you gotta come to the world's best guitar store - Redbone Guitar Boutique.

I shop there. Buy there. Take lessons there. Hang out there. Drool over works of art (literally and metaphorically).  Richard Turner and his gang are really nice folks and are passionate about helping you get the gear that's best for you.  And once in a while they bring in these awesome dudes like this guy, Brian Ray, to hold way cool clinics.

Oh yeah, and BTW- they've got lessons for kids.  You gotta pass your Rock Roll'n DNA on to the offspring.Visit their site.

Follow the boys from Red Bone on twitter.

Or, in this case become a fan on Facebook.

 

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Filed under  //   65 Amps   Ashdown Amps Texas   Brian Ray   Fender San Antonio   Gibson San Antonio   Gretsch San Antonio   Redbone Guitar Boutique   San Antonio Guitars   Vox Texas  

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August 20, 2009

Review, Setlist, Video of Paul McCartney Dallas Show - August 19, 2009

Last night, I was fortunate to attend the Paul McCartney show in Dallas at new Cowboys Stadium.  With my children, 17 and 22 joining in, it was 2 hours and 45 minutes of musical bliss, history and some amazing seats.  We were fortunate to be on row 2 in the middle, slightly to the left of Paul (facing the stage) and dead center in front of, Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray off to the far right.

Saying that the music was amazing and that the band played well would be an under statement that would speak the very obvious.

Being a Beatles fan, having met Paul when I was a 23 years old at his home in London, it was quite a treat to briefly re-connect with a musical genre that has shaped music and culture all over the world.  As the show started, I told myself to stop "thinking" so hard about what was going on and to just enjoy the show.  

Being so close up and near the band, the experience was totally different that other major shows I have seen in my life.  I knew we were really close up when they played "Live and Let Die," and you could feel the heat from the pyrotechnics. 

From my vantage point, I watched Rusty Anderson and Brian Ray not only play well in supporting  Paul, but closely observed their subtle, and critical adjustments to volume, tone and pedal controls that gave each song just the right sound.  

Even in a huge arena, sound matters --  and I was so blown away to their level of detail.   The other treat about being so close was watching the parade of constantly changing, and often historic instruments Rusty, Paul and Brian played. You could see the scratch marks in the lower portion of Paul's trademark Hofner bass.  

He also played an Epiphone acoustic with an early Redrose Speedway sticker.  Rusty played several instruments, but I my eyes really caught the finish on his Gibson ES-335's - one in cherry red and the other a blonde, natural color.  Slightly from afar on the other side of the stage, I watched Brian with his  Les Paul SG six string, Les Paul SG Bass, Gretsch Anniversay, and and terrific sounding  Taylor 12 string that chimed from being so close to the band.  During the show, there were other instruments played by the band, but these are the ones that stood out the most in my mind.  

We had to look back to see drummer, Abe Laboriel Jr., and keyboard player, Paul "Wix" Wickens.  Being a drummer myself, and having recently seen Abe play with Stevie Winwood and Eric Clapton at the Hollywood Bowl in June, I can only describe Abe as being powerful, elegant and more of a ballet dancer using his sticks as his legs, doing an amazing balancing act supporting the melodies and guiding the band through the songs transitions.

During "Hey Jude," the video cameras turned to the audience and I could see myself and two children's images being flashed on a screen the entire width of the stage.  We were  singing "Na na na na na ,na na na, hey jude..." not only to ourselves, but to the other 40,000 members of a community who joined in that night.  Speaking of community, we had a great contingency from San Antonio where the crew from Richard Turner's Red Bone Guitar Boutique were there in force.  During the summer, Red Bone featured a series of clinics, two of which featured Rusty and Brian.

After the concert, we went over the the Waffle House in Arlington to have a very late dinner.  I thought of ourselves as truckers taking a break from a long journey,  getting some warm grub before we settled in for the night.  

None us really talked that much.  

I think we were collectively shell shocked in amazement of what had just been through.  We finally made got to the hotel at about 1:30 AM and I had to   get my son up at 6:00 AM so he could go back to Austin, where he goes to school.  I went back to sleep, and about 10:00 AM my daughter woke me up.  Again, we did not say much, but on our way in the car we both agreed that we both felt uplifted and almost in the vein of a religious experience. We         were still drained, but had a very eery sense of clarity in our brains.

There was one more thing that initially was a disappointment, but turned out to be a blessing (as so many things in life are).  Photographer that I try to be, I brought my Nikon D80 to show, but was asked to return it to my car, which I did.  My hope was to capture some great photos as a keepsake, but it did not work out that way.  Sure, I used my iPhone, but an iPhone is - well and iPhone.  

As of now, the real imagery of the show remains clearly in the front of my mind.  I promised myself to park those images right there and hopefully never have them relegated to the exit row.

Addendums:

Brian Ray has a superb CD, "Mondo Magneto."
Rusty Anderson just release a new, very rock'n CD, "Born on Earth"

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Filed under  //   Abe Laboriel   Alan Weinkrantz   Brian Ray   Dallas Cowboys Stadium   Jr.   Paul McCartney Dallas   Rusty Anderson   Wix Wickens  

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August 5, 2009

New: The Vox AC4 Amp Review at Redbone Guitar Boutique / San Antonio

via youtube.com

Here's my pal, Neal Walker, demonstrating the VOX AC4 Amps that are available at my favorite guitar / amp shop in the world, Redbone Guitar Boutique in San Antonio.  

There's actually two amps that he is demonstrating here- the smaller one is the AC4TV, with a 12AX7 powered pre-amp, all driving a custom-made Celestion 10 inch speaker. The larger one is the VOX AC4TVH / V112TV Head & Cab 12AX7 powered pre-amp, all driving the V112TV speaker cabinet fitted with a custom-made Celestion 12 inch speaker.  Want to learn all about the history of the AC4 line?  Click here.

I love doing these videos because I am passionate about my music and appreciate the way this store takes good care of its community.  

Notice I did not say "customer."  

Redbone is a community where you don't just buy great gear at great prices.  

I come here for the education, the culture, and approach to retail merchandising.  

Since I started taking guitar lessons from Steve Owens, I have bought a few instruments, amps, and accessories here.  I've also been fortunate to take part in their summer clinics where you get to hang out and learn from the coolest vendors and real musicians like Brian Ray and Brad Davis, who are equally passionate about their music.

If you are traveling to San Antonio on business or pleasure, you gotta come and check the place out.  And if you have never been to San Antonio, and love fine guitars, great amps, and nice people who get it, then that's your reason to visit.

Redbone's also down the street from my other hang-out, the Olmos Bharmacy.  

Oh, both places have WiFi.

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Filed under  //   Alan Weinkrantz   Brad Davis   Brian Ray   Red Bone Guitar Boutique   San Antonio Guitars   Steve Owens   The Mo-dels   VOXAC4  

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July 20, 2009

Redbone Guitar Boutique Joins Forces with Takamine Guitars to Host Brad Davis' Flatpickers' Ball - San Antonio / July 25

This summer, I've been hanging out more and more over at Redbone Guitar Boutique in San Antonio, where Richard Turner and his gang extraordinaire have been holding a series of how-to and informative clinics from leading (and sometimes legendary) music industry players and execs.  They've formed alliances with major brands like Fender, Gretsch and now, Takamine, who are bringing some amazing and internationallyknown artists and music industry thought leaders to San Antonio.

First it was Brian Ray, followed by Rusty Anderson, who just happen  to be in Sir Paul McCartney's band.  I attended Brian's event, but had to miss Rusty's due to travel.  Last weekend, it was Fred Gretsch (yes, as in the Gretsch brand), sharing his insights on his family's history and personal commitment to keeping a family legacy and brand in place.  (I was also amazed when Fred asked me if I followed him on twitter - you can follow him - @fredgretsch). 

This coming weekend, it's gonna be flatpicking guitar player, Brad Davis, giving a free clinic at Redbone on Saturday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Raising the bar even more, Redbone is offering a chance for you to sign up for a private guitar lesson with Brad on Sunday.  (there is an extra charge for this).  And if you come to the free event, be sure to register for your chance to win a free Takamine GS330S guitar.  

Brad has spent years on the road playing country with Marty Stuart, bluegrass with Earl Scruggs, newgrass with Sam Bush, Gypsy jazz with John Jorgenson, and rock with Billy Bob Thornton.  For the past seven years, he has played lead acoustic guitar with Earl Scruggs and Friends, and for the past six years he has played lead electric and acoustic guitar with movie actor Billy Bob Thornton's rock band. He spent two years (2003-2004) as the guitar player for the Sam Bush Band and also performed with John Jorgenson's Gypsy Jazz Quintet in 2005. He occasionally performs with an exciting new bluegrass band, 'Greenbroke', which consists of himself, John Cowan, John Moore, and Dennis Caplinger.

Take some time to read his bio, see who has played with and check out his other YouTube videos.

Visit Redbone or call 210-822-4111 for more information and to sign up.

This is gonna be fun!  

Hope to see ya'll there.

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Filed under  //   Alan Weinkrantz   Brad Davis   Brian Ray   Flatpicker's Ball   Fred Gretsch   Redbone Guitar   Richard Turner   Rusty Anderson   Sir Paul McCartney   Takamine  

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July 16, 2009

Sir Paul McCartney Live - on the Dave Letterman Show + My Pal, Kenny, recalls being 11 years old and seeing the Beatles - live on the Ed Sullivan Show

via tv.com

So last night, Sir Paul McCartney and band members, Brian Ray, Rusty Anderson & Co performed at the same theater where the Beatles made their U.S. debut on the Ed Sullivan Show.

My dear and long time friend, Kenny P. was there as an 11 year old kid way back in 1964.  

Here's his story...

It was just a lucky thing. My mother's cousin's husband was a Commander in the Navy, stationed in NY. CBS had given the Admiral tickets for some reason - maybe they gave a lot away in those days for big "shoes" (as Sullivan would say). The Admiral knew Commander had a 16 year old daughter and offered the three tickets to my mother's cousin. The girl wanted to take two friends but her mother insisted her younger brother - a real pain he was and probably still is - go instead.

I don't think any of the adults "got" how big this was.

So there was one ticket left over and it was suggested that cousin Kenny go with them.

My parents, at least, had a clue.

It was my first time in Manhattan without my folks.

The Commander dropped us off and picked us up afterwards.

The 16 year old was separated from us by ushers and we were brought to the back, the girls sat up front to scream.

I knew their music from WABC-AM which I listened to a lot.

The rest is history.

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Filed under  //   Brian Ray   Sir Paul McCartney  

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