Hey there to all!

So here I am checking my my space page (which I'm lousy about and do it like every 2 months), and checking out other blogs when it occurred to me that I haven't written in mine in who knows how long! Duh. I'm totally retarded, I mean "special ed" with this stuff. I wish I could blame it on being on the golf course a lot. But not so.

So here's a totally random update of stuff for ya'll.

Singer/ Songwriter Matt Vrba finished and released his second album "Go" ( YES I STILL CALL THEM ALBUMS DAMN IT!!!!!), moved from Portland, Or to Nashville and has been shakin' and a movin'. He tried out for Nashville Star and out of something like 35,000 people made it to the top 30! Crazy when you think about it. Check out his page, and check out his tune "The Trucker Song". It's a fav. http://www.mattvrba.com/

Next up I've been hanging out in Marin County (N. California) with a couple of old friends and some new ones and we have been rocking the pants off it!! My latest friend 'acquisition' showed itself in the form of Ted O' Connell, guitarist extraordinaire and amp builder du jour. He makes a thing called "The Bassboy". Ever heard of a Fender Bassman? This is his hard rockin' son. Those of you who know me, know that I like guitar amps and that I have a 'few' to say the least. I will post a link to his "Tubestake Amps" website as soon as I get him to translate it from German ;-)!!!!

So along with Ted and several of his amps in hand (yep I bought one- couldn't resist), and his Twangin' brothers Freeway Frank, Jeb Harris, and Kevin Hayes I have found a new place to go jam and play bad notes, find some good ones and some new ones. Yes there may only be 12 notes, you can ALWAYS find "new" ones. This little slice of heaven is called "Twangfest" and it happens the second Weds. of every month at Peri's in Fairfax, CA. And it's hella fun!!! I recommend it to anyone who loves to hear music as it's happening and not after it's been over-produced, bastardized in a computer and spit out for the consumerist hordes to pay big bucks to watch 'artist's' play along to backing tracks. Ouch! Bitter?......

So Ted has reinvigorated my love for guitars and amps and such. Good times!!!! Yesterday I had two gigs (I'll make it easy- Sat. July 12,08). One in the afternoon with a band called Petty Theft (http://www.myspace.com/pettytheftrocks) outdoors and one that night with Super Diamond (superdiamond.com) and Ted loaned me an extension 4x8 cabinet (oh yeah his Bassboys come with 4 8" speakers made by Weber ( 2 Alnico and 2 ceramic magnet ). HOLY SHIT!!!! It was a guitar tone epiphany! Eight 8" speakers pumping at 4ohms. WOW!!!! Thicker than Mississippi mud!! Damn what a fun day to play guitar. Thanks Ted!

Alright it's lunchtime. I'm a terribly slow typist, so I will bid you farewell. Til next time.

BTW- My buddy Brad Russell will be touring with Joe Satriani this year!!! Congrats brad. Check out his page- http://www.myspace.com/bradrussellbass


Good luck to all. Keep on rockin'!- Schramm