Over the last 5 years I have had the pleasure of meeting a new and talented luthier Paul Neito of GuitarTech 39 West 14th St. NY.
In the absence due to retiement of an old friend Guilliano of White Plains NY, cared for my instruments for over 30 years, Paul has stepped in and helped me care for my working guitars, and my vintage pieces.
His work is impecable, done with accuracy and great detail.
Any pro here in NYC would be hard pressed to find a better craftsman, or businessman bent on delivering what his client wants and needs.
Please consider GuitarTech when you need maintenance repair or custom work on your best instruments.
He's one of the good guys.

There are times when circumstance helps us measure those around us; so often people miss or evade the opportunity to get involved, get their hands 'dirty' (so to speak) and loose an opportunity to do something truly good in this life.
I write today to acknowledge someone who, selflessly, got involved, helped someone and forever changed, with a moment's decision, a life, my life forever.
I speak of  Ms. Cindy Bradley, a follow musician (trumpet and other instruments) who was there for me at a time when I needed help the most.
As the call came in, Cindy not only got me to the fire site (my own truck broke down enroute), loaded my instruments and took them all to safety, no questions, no hestation, just got them out of there while I tried for the next 12 hrs to recover as much gear as I could load into a truck she rented for me.
That saved tens of thousands of dollars worth of guitars, recording & PA equipment, etc. that  I have acumulated over my entire career.
I was given a place to deposit this smokey, burnt gear, and time to clean it, get it all up and running; and a roof over my head for as long as necessary.
These actions on her part have allowed me to start my life again, rebuild my studio, recover from injuries sustained the day of the fire and ponder the fact that if  had I not been asked to pick Cindy up at Newark (returning from her CD session in Phoenix) and give her a lift home; I might have been at my studio asleep as I had done so often on a late Sunday night.
That, saved my life.
This thank you is long overdue; I feel that folks should know how they affect others by their actions.
In this instance; a positive, wonderous result inspite of the ugly, frightening  circumstances.
CB, I will never forget what you did Oct. 13th and after.
I am here, alive, and with a chance for a better life because of you.
I am forever changed by such an experience; I do not know what's coming next but I do know the care, the love you showed me, someone in dire need, will come back to you one day.
From the bottom of my heart, gracias, Dios te bendiga.
 
 

I am stunned by the response of my colleages to the news of  the events of this last Sunday/Monday.

I am posting part of a letter I sent to Ms. Roxie Perry who wrote me a letter of just four words: "what can I do?". She, like so many others, have come to my aid in support and kind words at a time that overwhelms.

 

Roxy:

Thank you, I'm doing alright so far.

I have sessions for the next two days and will have to save my hands for that task.

I've removed all my guitars, computer,recording equipment, and both PA systems.

I am exhausted, can't close my hands today but I'll lay off trying to

pull my gear out until such time as my schedule permits.

Its tough to see the distruction, the place where I might have lost my life; I lost a 35 year friend to fire once, and lost my little best friend Sunday.

So many unusual decisions were made that set things in motion that I might still

be here to talk about them.

I guess I'm a little numb right now. I am planning what to do next as we speak.

I lost much but have an unrestricted path to the future.

Thanks for caring

Mike

I have yet to access the full extent of the damage; will the hard drives that hold my music work, are the backups intact, are the guitars exposed to the heat and smoke still playable? I have yet to recover clothes, files, documents etc.

I am humbled by the love and hope you show me,

it makes me full inside where emptiness could reside.

Thank you, God bless you all.

I have a moment, now, to reflect on this last year.  I have traveled mre than ever before and have worked with new and old friends; meeting some of the best in the business along the way.

I come out of this year remembering those who have helped me; you know who you are; I love you for all you've done for and with me.

I've made some money, but more importantly , I feel I have played well all year, building on all that I already know.

Singing is a joy and a wondrous tool, now that I have not smoked for over a year.

I love my audiences and enjoy talking with those who; perhaps don't completely understand what we do as musicians, but rejoice in the fruits of our craft and wish to know more about us.

I can say I still learn about myself, and how much I love what I do for a living; it is marginally easier these days but satifaction and  pride continue to drive these hands.

I thank all those who have gained something from my music, any music;

as they honor our cause and all who serve it.

I hope to see you soon; in the meantime; be gentle with one another.

Mike Torres

 

At my band site some months ago (mtpockets.org) I received an email in which I was asked " if you had a choice, what style would you prefer to play, how do you decide what genre to play?" ;

 a great question which I answered after some thought.

I post this exchange as a way to know me a little better,  

Here it is:

As for my druthers if I had the opportunity...

As each gtr I own has its own voice and/or purpose in my toolbox; the different styles create different challanges musically and I find that invigorating.

The vocal thing adds a dimension in terms of performance and lyric; I like to sing SONGS crafted statements, mine or other artists.

Instrumental pieces make folks listen and the energy is inviting, jazz has intellect but can seem cold when some guys play it; blues gives me the means to express any number of attitudes or feelings..

Some question!; my roots are blues and rock (from the early days) although I enjoy progressive blues, I like the generic/stylistic qualities that a traditional approach renders.

I love playing anything, I most enjoy moving an audience; doing a solo acoustic number when it gets so quiet you can hear the speaking stop, the listening begins and I find that a powerful moment, especially when its my song, I know they're listening, hearing my lyrics.

I enjoy it when folks watch my hands as I play, up close and personal that is  great.

I once had that all taken away from me and so its return to my possesion is a gift, privilage and a tremendous blessing. And I still play with passion as a result, and joy which is most important (a child at play truly)

Simply put, the transition from one style to the other is easy; you play a jazz box with heavy strings and you have the feel and the sound which shapes your context, and so on for the other genres. The lines between styles are seldom blurred for me (but can be at will) one of my strengths, I've always been told, is playing in context, knowing when to change; well,  that's the catch. Confidence and knowing your own strengths bolster your realtime decisions, I like what comes from my hands. I've been doing this a LONG time and experience is a helpful "angel on your shoulder".

I hope I answered your curiosity and I thank you for the opportunity to speak of something I love so dearly.

To create to make something from nothing, to answer the muse and let her speak through you, the moment of  inspiration, without such things I would be void and lifeless, without direction; and I'm sure the blood in my veins would flow slowly and coldly in me.

I am glad it is not so.

Thank you , you have given me a moment to count my blessings