Yearly Archives: 2014

Five-time W.C. Handy Award winner Rory Block seems completely satisfied with her latest recording. Hard Luck Child: A Tribute to Skip James is the fifth and final album of her Mentor Series, which consists of paying homage to the blues artists whom she met in her teenage years and had a large impact on her years of performing. The Series has been a multi-year project that she felt was extremely important for newer audiences to experience in order to truly appreciate what the early blues artists contributed to the music world. The legendary blues guitarist/singer took time during a snowstorm at her upstate New York residence to talk about Skip, the Series, and her choice of guitars.

Australian born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Katie Cole grew up in a family environment full of an eclectic mix of music from rock to classical. Her mother’s musical rock influences included the likes of rock legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and the Rolling Stones, while her father on the other hand enjoyed his classical music preferring Maria Callas over Mom’s rock. Both of Katie’s parents were trained pianists, so music was a very important part of her life growing up. Considering their training, it’s ironic that Katie taught herself to play the guitar and piano.  

The Dick Wagner “Remember the Child” Memorial Concert will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2015 at the Fillmore Theatre in the heart of Detroit. The “Maestro of Rock” passed away on July 30, 2014 and will be remembered by friends, family and fans at the memorial concert with proceeds going to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  Wagner was a huge supporter of children’s charities and generously donated his time and talent.

Guitar Learning System Becomes Fan Favorite of Hoda Kotb

Co-writing songs such as Rihanna’s “Cheers (Drink to That),” Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful People,” several songs on Heidi Montag’s album Superficial, as well as many, many others, LP has made a name for herself in the music industry as a well-known and respected writer, artist and performer. LP has worked with several record labels, collaborated with songwriter and music producer Linda Perry among many others, and in 2012, became the first female Martin Guitar Ambassador – quite an honor.

By Karen Hill

There are so many lovely holiday songs and we thought we’d share a few with you this holiday season.

Press Release from the Company:  In late December of 2013 Orange Amplification took to Facebook with a simple request: Tell us which amp you want and on Christmas day we will grant one wish. More than 13,000 people responded, requesting everything from a battery-powered Micro Crush guitar amp to a hand-wired Custom Shop 50 full stack. When the day came, Orange surprised everyone by granting four wishes to fans from around the globe, including a Rockerverb 50 MKII 2x12” Combo, Jim Root #4 Signature guitar amp, Terror Bass 500, and a Crush Pro 120 2x12” Combo. That’s more than $5000 / £3000 in wishes! 

Madonna Returns to the Top Of The Charts Around The World With Surprise Release Of Six Songs From Her Upcoming Rebel Heart Album 

Here are ten recommendations of albums that were released by female guitarists in 2014, including familiar icons and rising newcomers: