Links


Repairs, Restorations, Set-ups, General Lutherie
Cat Fox
Naturally, I start with my partner, teacher, co-instructor, and cook: the incomparable Cat Fox. She's been doing repairs since graduating from Red Wing Tech's lutherie program and an apprenticeship with William Cumpiano. That was 25 years ago.She's one of the best people to do set-up and fret work on your favorite instrument; she runs a "no kill" shelter for abused instruments (reviving even seriously abused ones); and has obsessive attention to detail.


Players
Paul Asbell
Paul is a friend, great player, and great set of ears. He often critiques my efforts and I am richer because of his thoughts. His two solo CDs, "Steel String Americana" and "Roots & Branches" are fine compendia of playing styles, showing just how versatile and talented Paul is.

Dennis Cahill
Ahh, Dennis. Dennis was the first professional endorser of Running Dog Guitars and is one of my guitar heroes. Playing with Martin Hayes, Dennis has virtually redefined the place of guitar in Irish music. If you haven't listened to "Live in Seattle" or one of the other CDs from this duo, do so ASAP! Dennis plays a redwood/rosewood cutaway Parlor and a redwood/cherry Sprite.

Arty McGlynn
Arty McGlynn is another Running Dog Guitar endorser -- he ordered a cutaway Parlor after playing Dennis Cahill's. If you name a great Irish ensemble of the last twenty-some years, chances are that Arty founded it or played and recorded with it. Planxty, Patrick Street, Van Morrison, De Dannan ... all have benefited from Arty's playing. He and his wife, fiddler Nollaig Casey, did much of the music in the movie "Waking Ned Devine." Arty doesn't really have a website of his own, but the URL above will get you information about Arty and Nollaig, including their US contact.

Ian Clark
Ian Clark and Pierre Schryer made a great CD --"Heat of the Moment." Ian plays his Running Dog Concert Jumbo on several cuts, and Pierre plays great fiddle on all of the tracks. I don't where you can get this other than at festivals and gigs or this website. Be sure to catch either or both of these players when they are in your area.

Chip Wilson
Chip Wilson is an old friend and one my mentors in lutherie. When he ordered a Mini Jumbo (Adirondack, koa, Manzer wedge, micropearl), it was a signal honor. Chip plays virtually every day and every night in the French Quarter of New Orleans -- check him out whenever you're in the Crescent City, and be sure to say Hi! for me.


Shows and Festivals
Healdsburg Guitar Festival
Luthiers Mercantile International is one of the most important suppliers of wood, tools, and parts for the luthier. It is also the organizer of the Healdsburg Guitar Festival, next scheduled for August 2009. I have exhibited at the last five (!) Healdsburg Festivals. Hope to see you there!

Montreal Guitar Show
This wonderful show, held in downtown Montreal during the International Jazz Festival, has become a favored stop among North America's cognoscenti. With builders from the US, Canada, France, England, and more, the MGS has a marvelous international feel. The organizers take care to present only fine builders in a comfortable setting (with quiet playing booths!). And then, when you leave the show, there are hundreds of concerts, many of them free, with great restaurants and shops in easy walking distance! I am privileged to serve on the Advisory Committee for this fine event.

Champlain Valley Festival
The Champlain Valley Festival is the first weekend in August, at the Kingsland Bay State Park in Ferrisburg VT. It's in my old backyard and is one of the things about Vermont I miss the most. I used to be on the Board of Directors of this great Festival and I love everything that happens there. Beautiful setting, usually good weather (though it's Vermont, so be prepared for rain, snow, heat ...), and always great music and dance.


Non-guitar sites
The Ragtime Ephemeralist
The Ragtime Ephemeralist is a labor of love by some ragtime-obsessed individuals who are probably best left anonymous. In this occasionally-published non-periodical, you'll find sheet music of the ragtime era, articles about players and composers, articles about dance, architecture, and culture (the most recent issue traces the evolution of Chicago's red light district through several decades) ... virtually anything about the period 1880 - 1914 or so. Amusing, educational, surprising, and absorbing.