Come Out, Come Out, Guitar People
Been thinking: I’m one of those people who “plays guitar.” That is, I play at guitar, own guitars, covet guitars, like guitar music, and am always interested in … guitars. And, I know I’m not alone. Now, I’m not necessarily talking about professional, performing, repertoire-toting serious guitar slingers (although I’m not excluding them, either). I’m talking about all those closet guitar people. The ones who play to amuse themselves or abuse their families. We’re people who think you can never have too many guitars. We may not be hot, but we’re dedicated.
I cruise by the 400 Block in Wausau and, on occasion, see guitar people out there playing solo or jamming with friends/strangers. Does my heart good. Sometimes I see Jim Carlson on the 400; he’s a guitar advocate … out there playing, bringing people together, keeping the spirit alive.
So, I’ve been thinking: If you’re a guitar people, would you come out for a large guitar gathering? I mean, a LARGE GUITAR GATHERING! An event where guitar people bring their guitars en masse, to jam, meet, trade tips/riffs, swap, sell, listen, covet, form groups … all those things guitar people just do naturally. I’m talking hundreds and hundreds of guitar people. I’m talking a mass rendition of Louie Louie or All Day and All of the Night.
The air, filled with that distinctive guitar smell … and with the sound of guitars. Lots of ‘em.
How many guitar people do we have in Wausau? In surrounding communities? In the region? The state? What if we put out a mass call to all of them to get together? Free. No strings (oh, yeah … lots of strings).
Is this crazy? Not to guitar people!
Maybe we have the makings of a unique Wausau event with this.
This post is my first tickle to test the waters (mixing metaphors). Let me know if you’re a guitar people. And if you’d go to a guitar event like this.
ON SECOND THOUGHT:
Having mulled this and talked to some folks, the question arises: What about bongo players or African drummers? Harmonica blowers? Saxophonists for that matter? And, of course, people who love to listen. Because I suffer from guitar myopia, I easily overlook these other population segments. But, I see no reason to be elitist and exclude anyone.
Cheryl Mathis said:
So basically… an all-out community jam session. Awesome.
July 9th, 2008 at 11:22 am #
Tom Neal said:
Yes, but more than that. It’s also a sales & swap meet, guitar expo, party, bull session, seminar, concert, love-in, spectacle. This will happen.
July 9th, 2008 at 12:32 pm #
Dino Corvino said:
fine, i will help
sigh
I hate acoustic guitars
July 10th, 2008 at 11:40 am #
Tom Neal said:
No, you hate acoustic guitarists. And, yes, you will help.
July 10th, 2008 at 11:47 am #