Happy Belated New Year wishes!! So sorry to have neglected updating my news page, but traveling to Florida to visit family, fighting a stubborn cold for the past month or so, the awesome madness of the NAMM Show, and gearing up for the next J/S recordings, has blurred my sense of time. I can’t believe that it’s already been just over a year since I moved into my new pad in West Hills, which feels like I just moved into a few months ago! Love every minute of living here, mainly the incredible view of the Valley, the unobstructed view of the sky (scored Emmett’s telescope a few months back!), and amazing sunrises nearly every morning. The last batch of wildfires, though, were pretty scary close… just 2 miles away, and I could see the flames torching the hills from my back window. Thankfully, the 50 mph winds didn’t shift direction, or else my neighborhood would be toast.
The Winter NAMM Show in Anaheim is always a blast, filled with unexpected fun, as well as great opportunities, amazing musical performances, and the chance to reunite with friends, family, and fellow band-mates throughout the years of playing. I was able to score a badge for my bro/guitarist from the D, Jeff T., who I’ve known, and jammed with, since were were in our early teens. This was Jeff’s first NAMM experience, and he was just floored within the first ten minutes of walking through the first hall… total sensory overload!! Later that day, we met up with my cousin, Chris, and his girlfriend, Christie, who later joined us at the Bass Hang at J.T. Schmidt’s to see Jay Setar shred on a set at 8pm with killer guitarist/composer, Byron Fry. Our fellow Armenian brother, Ed, met up with us as well, and we had a great time re-connecting, listening to great musicians, and quenching our thirst with a variety of brews.
Next stop… Stick Night Concert at The Pint House, which was a short Uber drive away! We arrived in time to catch the tail end of the show, and saw Tom Griesgraber, and John Carlo jammin’/tappin’ some cool tunes on the Chapman Stick. Great to hang with fellow tappers, as well as tapping a few more kegs of delicious beers. 🙂 If I’m not playing, I’m letting loose and enjoying myself being a fan for the night. Ha!
Last stop of the night/morning, which is my personal tradition at NAMM… Denny’s!!! This is the one of the few times of the year that I go to Denny’s, and order their Double Cheeseburger and fries, which is not only a mountain of a meal, but just as delicious. If you’re a burger-loving carnivore, such as I am, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend this masterpiece of a meal. My experience of eating at countless Denny’s across the country, over many years, is that the locations in Anaheim are the best, and hold themselves to a higher standard than any of the other Denny’s locations. You have been properly advised.
Saturday consisted of walking the show floor, visiting Stick Enterprises suppliers, meeting new and current friends/musicians, and catching a killer set by my buds, Alex Skolnick Trio in the Marriott lobby at 10pm. Yes, I hit Denny’s for night #2, with a repeat of the Double Cheeseburger and fries. My body paid the price for the entire week, following. I’m not 21 anymore. LOL!!
Very excited for J/S to play a set at 4pm, as part of “Fun A Day Reseda,” on Sunday, March 3rd. Free, All Ages art and music event, from Noon-10pm. This will be a combo performance/clinic set for us, as I’ll be spending time talking about the NS/Stick, condensed story of how I became interested in choosing the NS/Stick, which led to my move to LA, and to work as a Luthier at Stick Enterprises. San Fernando Valley Arts and Cultural Center 18312 Oxnard St., Tarzana, California 91356.
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