Website:   http://www.guitarleague.com
​Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Syracuse-NY/Guitar-League/61120474109?ref=ts
Location:  Clarion Hotel, 100 Farrell Road, Syracuse, NY
Directions to Clarion: https://www.google.com/maps/@43.115824,-76.27099,15z
Time:  Main Presenter 7PM, Breakouts 8PM, Pre-meeting showcase 6:30PM
Meetings:  First Monday of each month (holiday months may vary - July, September)

​​Terry Vickery at Beat Street Music in Manlius is again a very welcome Guitar League sponsor in 2018. Beat Street sponsors our main presenters. Terry and his staff are eminently knowledgeable about guitars and have a selection of quality instruments second to none. Stop in to Beat Street in the metropolitan hub of Greater Manlius for all your guitar needs. 
Pre-meeting performance: Loren Barrigar, starts about 6:30

Note from the Commish:
Please consider bringing other people to Guitar League meetings.  They do not need to be guitar players.  People often just come for the music.  The first visit is always free!  (Then just $10 for non-members.)


Main Presentation: Tom Hillenbrand.  In his own words:
Many thanks for your gracious invite to speak! I’ll both be giving two pieces and more importantly taking my own advice:
  1. Say “Yes” to musical opportunities or seek them out. Say yes to the band, jam, clinic, show-risk sucking.
  2. Enjoy the music you make now and the abilities you have. As we scrape and struggle to be better guitarists and finally master the guitar we know, it’s a never ending musical journey.
My earliest musical influence was a large family and the AM radio of the 1960’s. It was pure magic to me to hear The Kinks “So Tired”, Ed Ames “My Cup Runneth over, Glen Campbells “Wichita Lineman”, The Stones “Get Off My Cloud”, Mason Williams “Classical Gas”, and some guys called The Beatles. The diversity of styles in one place was amazing. They all had one thing in common, excellent writing and performing skill. The book on modern rock was being invented and I was in on it first-hand each day with the flip of the on button. I imagined playing the guitar before ever picking one up. The first time I saw the neighborhood band play, with their coiled guitar cables, piggy back Fender amps, and pearl white Ludwig drums, it was all over. I’ve been chasing that magical sound ever since. 
The CNY area has always been a hotbed of amazingly talented musicians. I remember riding my bike and sneaking down to the Poor House North to peak through the curtains at some of the best rock music anywhere. The Livin Ennd, Wilke Barre Brigade, Stompin Suede Greasers et al. little did I know then I’d be around long enough to actually play with some of my heroes from then. My first “big gig” was with The Joe Whiting Band in 1988. Still so grateful to Joe for that opportunity and to record with him on his “Rhythm and Groove” album. Some other bands I’ve had the good fortune to work with, as well as get a real musical education and lifelong friends, have been Glass Hammer, The Penguins, Classified, Fab 570, Monkey Fever, Stroke, and my main musical brothers in Primetime and Primetime Unplugged. 
I consider myself a work-man like guitarist covering many styles from R&B, Rock, Jazz, to Funk and Country – averaging 100 gigs a year. I’ve had to sink or swim learning so much music.
I plan to share:
  1. How I learn and transcribe songs (as someone without a formal musical education) and why it is one of the most important things you can do to develop your ear.
  2. The importance of rhythm playing with some examples from the master of all rhythm playing – Jimi Hendrix.
  3. Soloing and how I “try” to approach it, still, from a conversational point of view, with pauses, use of volume, repetition and effects.
  4. Some of how I try to practice using a worksheet, calendar, and metronome to achieve goals, whatever you want them to be
  5. My daughter Olivia Bradley, a very good musician in her own right, may join me in a song or two.
  6. I plan to bring some of my favorite guitars, if my talk stinks, the guitars won’t! 
  7. In the breakout, I’d like to share 2-3 cool licks by Robben Ford and Stevie Ray.
  8. When I’m not playing music, I work as a goldsmith and diamond setter for Skaneateles Jewelry and would be glad to talk about that as well.
Many thanks to the Guitar League for this honored invite – I’ve been coming when I can since the nearly first meeting.

Tom Hillenbrand

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Patty O’Connor: In her own words,” As some of you know, I love all things Kate Wolf.  In the spirit of keeping Kate's music alive, I will teach one of her songs.  Then maybe we'll jam a little.”

Ron Kadey and Bryan Dickenson: Ron and Bryan will be discussing the daunting job of working with other players in a band.  
They will discuss:
  • What to look for in a partner
  • How to find a partner
  • Picking music genre and particular songs
  • Preparing for gig solicitation
  • How to find gigs
For more Guitar League info, go to our FaceBook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Syracuse-NY/Guitar-League/61120474109?ref=ts
As always, any of you are free to find a quiet corner for swapping licks and jamming.
Stay Tuned,
D
Contact info:
Dick Ward, Commissioner
Guitar League
22834 Nunnery Road
Skaneateles, NY  13152
Cell: 315-440-2484
rward1@twcny.rr.com