Very sad to learn of the passing of Blues guitarist Michael Burks, who died this past Sunday. Y'know, I don't say things like this very often, but this was one bad Blues guitar playin' Brother! He was the real deal in a genre where there are too many phonies taking up space! I never met the man even though we appeared at some of the same festivals. It was something I'd hoped to do at some point, because even though I am a player, I am still a huge fan of real Blues and great guitar. Michael Burks . . . you will be missed!

Gregg Wright 

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jim Marshall. Along with Leo Fender and Les Paul, Jim was one of the most important people in the development of the sound of Rock guitar. Without Marshall amps, there would have been no Hendrix, no Cream, no Led Zeppelin, no heavy Rock or Metal. I will never forget the first time I plugged a Fender Stratocaster into a Marshall stack. Changed my world forever!

I had the great fortune of being Jim's personal guest in 1996, when I was living in England. Over lunch and cocktails, we talked guitars, amps, women and fast cars . . . a perfect Rock & Roll conversation! After lunch, Jim drove his Jaguar convertible real fast to the Marshall factory and gave me a one on one personal tour. For some reason, I always thought Jim would be this grandfatherly sort of figure in a white lab coat, glasses down on his nose, with a few volume knobs in his pocket. Man, he was anything but! The Marshall factory was like General Motors, complete with assembly line. At the end of the assembly line, a finished Marshall amp or speaker cabinet would roll off, fully ready to rock! The man was a genius! His attention to detail and his willingness to listen to what guitarists like and want, made all the difference. Instrument and gear manufacturers today, could learn a great deal from him. He will be greatly missed by all who love the sound of Rock!

Gregg Wright 

The UK's Fret King Guitars http://www.fret-king.com/ and Carlsbro Musical Instruments http://www.carlsbro.com/  will be producing a Gregg Wright Signature guitar and a Gregg Wright signature version of the 50 Top amp (pictured). Legendary guitar luthier Trev Wilkinson will be in charge of designing the guitar according to Gregg's specs and will oversee the amp specs as well. "When it comes to innovative guitar design, Trev Wilkinson is about the most brilliant guy I've ever met! It is a thrill and an honor to have him on board with these two projects. I cannot wait to start making some noise with these fantastic tools!" says Gregg. The signature guitar and amp will debut on Gregg's 2012 U.K. tour later this year.

Saturday, March 3: The Onezia Upsacale Lounge, Gonzales, LA

Friday, March 9: The Station Live, Broussard, LA

Saturday, March 10: Phil Brady's, Baton Rouge, LA

Maverick's Flat: 4225 S. Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90008 Showtime: 8 PM • No cover/2 drink minimum, please • Website: http://wwwmavericksflat.com • Tel: (323)295-4179

THE KEIGHLEY BLUES CLUB

Keighley Cougars RLFC

Hall of Fame Bar

Roydings Avenue

Keighley BD21 3RF

West Yorkshire

Makers  of MI and PA amplification for musicians since 1959

 

Gregg Wright headlined the 10th annual In Wires Blues & Rock Festival, in Uzice, Serbia last weekend . Co-sponsored by the American Embassy in Belgrade, the Uzice City Council, and Mojo Club in Uzice, the festival went off without a hitch, despite a bit of rain right before showtime. The In Wires Festival executive producer is Milos Milojevic. Pictured above is Gregg being interviewed by the Serbian music press, prior to the festival. 

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