Composite Acoustics Artist Action: 2007

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Michele Mercure

I wanted to share with all of you some photos and testimony from Michele Mercure herself on our guitars. The e-mail from her is below after playing our guitar on her new project.

Be sure to check out her webpages, www.thisgirlsmusic.com & www.myspace.com/michelemercure to read and hear more from Michele.

Thank you so much for letting me borrow this Composite Acoustic guitar. I am so impressed. I’d heard about these guitars that were made of something other than wood and sort of just wrote them off because of my assumption that they wouldn’t sound natural. Well, I was really wrong about that. This guitar sounds stunning to me. It’s tone is rich and full and I’m sure that there’s no one on the planet that can tell that this guitar isn’t made out of wood. As you know, my style of guitar playing presents certain challenges for guitars. I use a lot of extreme tunings and I play completely up and down the neck and sometimes I use a capo. This presents real problems for me with tuning and intonation issues particularly as I play towards the body of the guitar. With the Composite Acoustic guitar I don’t have these problems. It’s just always in tune. At every fret. Some of the tunings I’ve tested it with are. DADGAD, AADGBE,(low A is really low!) GGCGGC, and of course standard. I've been using this guitar for recording as well. As you know, the score for our Feature film HOME is primarily acoustic guitar with piano and some strings. I’ve been using the pickup directly from the guitar for recording. I’m going into your Universal Audio pre amp and I’m sure that makes a difference but it really sounds awesome. No mic required. So I can just sit in front of my pro tools rig and record away. It’s very freeing. I should also mention that I love the way this guitar feels when I hold it. It’s not heavy or awkward. It feels perfectly balanced. The neck feels just the right size for my hand. and also....it looks sexy as hell! I’m not sure what it is about this guitar but I truly feel inspired when I play it. And I think I really do play better when I play this guitar. Maybe you will let me have some kind of visitation rights because I’m going to feel truly sad when I have to give this guitar back to you. So, Thanks Bruce. Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you. If your company has a logo we would be happy to put it at the end of the film with the other important logos we will be showing. Just let me know and send a jpeg to me if you have one.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Michele MercureProducer"HOME"

www.thisgirlsmusic.com

http://www.haverstickfilms.com/

amplifythequietdeepexpanseoflove

Monday, December 10, 2007

MARCEL

Marcel is traveling the Country on a radio tour. Check out his videos below to see him playing his GX Performer.

Heartland

I thought I would share a video of Heartland playing their X Performer and Legacy on their radio tour. The guys are gearing up to go into the recording studio to record their new CD. Stay tuned for further updates, video and photos.

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Matt Papa

He may only be 23-years-old, but Matt Papa possesses a maturity in both his artistry and spirituality well beyond his years. Perhaps that's why this accomplished singer/songwriter and musician has been leading worship since age 14 and has been touring the country upon graduating college, working with organizations such as Student Life, Campus Crusade for Christ, Georgia Baptist Convention, Ohio Baptist Convention, David Nasser Outreach, Wayfarer Ministries, and SWAT Ministries. All the while, the Georgia-bred troubadour with a degree in guitar performance from Truett-McConnell College has been continuously refining his craft, ministering to sizeable audiences and gearing up for his forthcoming debut, You Are Good, on new label Spin 360.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

RED

November 13TH the RED Deluxe Edition came out in stores nationwide" End Of Silence" which was mixed in 5.1 surround sound. I wanted to post a portion of this DVD of Anthony performing live with his GX Performer. The photo of Anthony performing is with his Custom painted GX Performer with "End Of Silence" across the top. I attended this show in Knoxville and had a great time. Unfortunately, 24 hours later the band would be in a terrible accident on their way home. Anthony sent me photos of the accidnet which occured around 6:30 in the morning just within the city limits of Nashville on their way to unload their van and trailer to load up on their new custom bus which was waiting on them. The guys are lucky to be alive, thankfully everyone is recovering from bruises and scrapes.

Click on one of the 3 videos below to see Anthony performing live from their DVD.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Winter Jam 2008

The Winter Jam Tour Spectacular, Christian music’s largest annual musical tour, announced its 35 city itinerary for 2008, featuring one of its most prestigious artist line-ups ever. As of this month, all four of NewSong’s guests are currently in the top 40 national sales as reported by Neilson’s SoundScan. The 2008 line-up showcases musical styles ranging from worship to rock to pop featuring multi Platinum selling MercyMe, sibling rock trio BarlowGirl, seasoned rockers Skillet, American Idol’s Mandisa. The 10-week tour launches January 10, 2008 in Johnson City, TN, and will conclude at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN on March 16th hitting 19 states along the way. Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning, NewSong will host the high-energy event for the 13th consecutive year, which will feature special guest speaker Tony Nolan and the Xtreme sports Real Encounter BMX/Skate Team.

Stay tuned for details on how you can win the very guitar Becca Barlow is holding in her hands above.

Vince Wilcox, president of Celerity Entertainment, affirmed that Holt International, the world’s leader in child adoption and relocation services, will once again be a sponsor of Winter Jam 2008, along with the Wayne E. Bailey Produce Company. HearItFirst.com is back as a sponsor and will be giving out free download cards to the first 500 in line each night. Dave Ramsey's "Generation Change" student finance curriculum is also a new sponsor this year. Wilcox also announced a landmark partnership for 2008: “The Word Label Group Pre-Jam Party featuring pureNRG and Group 1 Crew.” Co-sponsored by media giants Fox Faith and Word Label Group, this event begins forty minutes before the official start of the show and will feature acclaimed pop trio Group 1 Crew and “tween” sensations pureNRG.

For more information, please visit www.jamtour.com. Winter Jam 2008 follows the highly successful 2007 tour, which landed in Pollstar’s Top 10 Winter Tours surpassing artists like Nickelback, Red Hot Chili Peppers and John Mayer. WJ '07 averaged over 8,000 people each night with select shows having more than 10,000 in attendance. The 2007 Tour had total turnout of more than 275,000.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Cole Deggs and The Lonesome

SONY BMG recently welcomed Cole Deggs & The Lonesome as the newest addition to its Columbia Nashville label. The five-piece band, fronted by Cole Deggs, is comprised of Coles brother Shade on bass, brothers Jimmy and David Wallace on keyboards and lead guitar, respectively, and Florida native Brian Hayes on drums. The Deggs brothers grew up in Lake Jackson, TX, while the Wallaces hail from Shreveport, LA. Also, please visit Shade and Cole's personal blog at www.shadeandcole.blogspot.com for updates and pictures of how these two are always getting hurt. CD&L tour blog at www.coledeggsandthelonesome.blogspot.com

To catch Cole playing his Legacy Composite Acoustic live, check out their tour dates below.

Friday, November 16, 2007

Artist Testimony

I am starting a new series called "Artist Testimony." It's rather easy, I simply ask our Artist's to provide us with a video of their testimony on our guitars. We leave it totally up to them to come up with their own words and what they love about our guitars.

Check back frequently as I will have more videos by various Artists/Bands but be patient, these guys are doing this for us while there on the road touring. Enjoy!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Heartland

All it takes for a popular regional act to be catapulted into the national spotlight is one special song. Suddenly hometown heroes find themselves climbing the charts and enjoying that first brush of stardom. That is exactly what's happening to Heartland, a talented band of Alabama musicians who have rapidly become one of the most talked about new acts in country music today.

The catalyst for the group's current success is the poignant ballad "I Loved Her First," which became one of the fastest rising singles of 2006, reaching the #1 spot at Billboard and R&R in only 16 weeks, a rare feat for a debut release. Heartland’s debut album, released in October of 2006, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Country chart behind only Jimmy Buffet and George Strait and reached # 11 on the Billboard Top 200 all genres chart. The video became a Top 10 hit and helped to further bring them in the country music mainstream. Though one hit song can serve as a launch pad, it takes talent, hard work and an arsenal of solid material to build a career. Heartland has those things in abundance.

Collectively, Heartland encompasses a variety of musical influences including Johnny Cash, Alabama, Van Halen, Elvis Presley, AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Sam Cooke just to name a few. Each member of the band grew up absorbing a rather diverse musical diet and those varied influences have helped shape the full-bodied, robust sound that defines Heartland's musical persona.

Like all young bands Heartland practiced, performed and dreamed of stardom. However in 1997, they got their first taste of that dream becoming a reality when they performed at the final June Jam, the annual concert held in Ft. Payne each year by country music legends Alabama. When they took the stage in front of more than 20,000 screaming fans, they were surprised and elated to see people holding up Heartland signs and shouting their name.
It was an especially poignant moment for Todd Anderson. "Alabama had been such a huge influence," he says. "Alabama was the first concert I went to when I was six-years-old and they are the greatest band in country music history. When we were fortunate enough to play the June Jam, that really summed it up for us. There were no other career options after that."
Jason agrees. "We always knew we wanted to do it," he says of pursuing a music career. "We dreamed about it, but that was one of the defining moments. We've played some big shows. We've played with a lot of big people. When you actually get up there and get a taste of it, it tastes GOOD!" "There are six guys in the band and we like to give everybody six different things to look at," says Jason. "Everybody has their own little thing and everybody is very good at what they do. And as opposed to having one focal point, we have six. There are a lot of different things going on. When we get up there, we like to really give people something for their money. It's not like they are just listening to the CD, they are getting the whole package."
Seeing that whole package has earned the band an enthusiastic legion of fans. In addition to headlining their own shows, the guys have been touring almost nonstop, playing dates coast to coast with Brad Paisley, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton, and others, while continuing to build their ever-growing fan base. Working with Producer/Songwriter Walt Aldridge in Muscle Shoals' Fame Studios, the band put together a potent collection of songs defined by the inimitable Heartland sound and immediately took their high-octane show on the road. The guys take pride in the fact that there's no one else that sounds quite like they do when they get together. It's a unique sound forged from years under hot spotlights in sweaty clubs with audiences on their feet screaming for more.

It also comes from years of friendship, camaraderie and a shared musical vision. When one spends any amount of time around these guys, their respect for each other and their friendship is obvious. After all, they've been through a lot together. "There's a lot of stuff that we have on each other and you kind of get that when you've known someone since the 5th grade." says Craig.

Currently Heartland is in the studio recording with famed Producer Mark Bright (Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood) on the follow up to “ I Loved Her First” with the new single release date tentatively scheduled for early June 2007 on the Country Thunder Records label. The guys have had the pleasure of performing on such national television shows as The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Fox & Friends, co-hosted the pretelevised portion of the 2006 CMA Awards Show along with Julie Roberts, and have recently been bestowed perhaps their greatest honor; garnering nominations for both Best New Group or Duo and Single Record of the Year by The Academy of Country Music. To quote guitarist Mike Myerson, “Just when ya think it can’t get any better for six rednecks from Alabama, something like this seems to come along and totally floors us!”

Talent, drive and a great sense of humor-country music fans are connecting to those qualities and so much more with Heartland. Like the image their name evokes, this group of young men personifies the best of America's country lifestyle, and they connect with audiences because their music reflects the hopes, challenges and dreams of everyone out there in the heartland and beyond. "The reason we want to do this is the genuine love and respect we have for each other," says Todd. "If the good Lord blesses us enough to allow us to make a living out of it, that's wonderful. If we start playing arenas with 20,000 people each night, that's great, but no matter where we are or what we're doing, this is a true brotherhood."

Monday, November 12, 2007

Bryan Austin with Clint Black

I met with Bryan nearlier this week. I have known Bryan for many years, probably more than I realize. Bryan is one hell of a guitar player and singer. To see Bryan performing with his Composite Acoustics live on stage with Clint Black, check out their tour dates below.

11/12/2007 - Ft. Worth, TXvenue: Bass Performance Hall

11/15/2007 - Hanford, CAvenue: Hanford Fox Theater

11/16/2007 - Turlock, CAvenue: Turlock Community Theater

11/17/2007 - Escondido, CAvenue: California Center for the Arts

11/18/2007 - Lancaster, CAvenue: Lancaster Performing Arts Center

11/20/2007 - Monterey, CAvenue: Golden State Theater

Congratulations to Sugarland-CMA Duo of the Year

Congratulations Sugarland on your CMA Award for Duo of the Year!

Your CMA Duo of the Year- Sugarland!

Congratulations to Jennifer and Kristian.

Sugarland took home the trophy for this year's CMA Duo of the Year, breaking a six year winning streak by Brooks & Dunn. “All of our success,” Jennifer said, “it’s because we are standing on the shoulders of giants. We are happy to be receiving this Award.”Just after winning the award, they took the stage for an emotional performance of their hit single "Stay."

Barlow Girl - Custom guitar give-a-way

Photos courtesy of Sarah Barlow

I wanted to share with everyone some new photos of Becca Barlow with her custom Barlow Girl GX. I wrote about this guitar a couple months ago when I hand delivered this guitar to Becca at a gig in Knoxville Tennessee.

Stay tuned to this blog for details on how and when you can register to win this very guitar from Becca. The give away will take place during this winters tour with MercyMe and Newsong.

Tour Dates:

12/28/07 Macon Centreplex Macon, GA

12/30/07 CLOSED EVENT Myrtle Beach, SC

01/10/08 Freedom Hall Johnson City, TN

01/11/08 McKenzie Arena Chattanooga, TN

01/12/08 Roanoke Civic Center Roanoke, VA

01/13/08 Bobcat Arena Charlotte, NC

01/18/08 Lubbock Municipal Colliseum - Lubbock Regional Youth Evangelism Conference Lubbock, TX

01/19/08 UCF Arena Orlando, FL

01/20/08 Bank United Center Miami, FL

01/24/08 Redbird Arena Normal, IL

01/25/08 Schottestein Center Columbus, OH

01/26/08 Cincinnati Gardens Cincinnati, OH

01/27/08 Family Arena St. Charles, MO

01/31/08 Roberts Stadium Evansville, IN

02/01/08 Alltel Arena Little Rock, AR

02/02/08 BJCC Arena Birmingham, AL

02/07/08 James Brown Arena Augusta, GA

02/08/08 Memorial Coliseum Jacksonville, FL

02/09/08 The Mitchell Center Mobile, AL

02/10/08 Bancorp South Center Tupelo, MS

02/15/08 The Bi-Lo Center Greenville, SC

02/16/08 Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, NC

02/17/08 Contant Convocation Center Norfolk, VA

02/22/08 The Colonial Center Columbia, SC

02/23/08 MS Coliseum Jackson, MS

02/24/08 DeSoto Civic Center Southaven, MS

02/28/08 The Ford Center Oklahoma City, OK

02/29/08 Mabee Center Tulsa, OK

03/01/08 Charles Koch Arena Wichita, KS

03/02/08 World Arena Colorado Springs, CO

03/06/08 Rupp Arena Lexington, KY

03/07/08 Allen County Memorial Coliseum Ft. Wayne, IN

03/08/08 Thompson Boling Arena Knoxville, TN

03/09/08 The Breslin Center East Lansing, MI

03/13/08 Big Sandy Superstore Arena Huntington, WV

03/14/08 Crown Coliseum Fayetteville, NC

03/15/08 Phillips Arena Atlanta, GA

03/16/08 The Sommet Center Nashville, TN

04/04/08 Cornerstone Community Church Wildomar, CA

05/09/08 The Center for Performing Arts - Governors State University University Park, IL 05/09/08 The Center for Performing Arts - Governors State University University Park, IL 05/10/08 Redwood Amphitheater at Great America - Spring Celebration Santa Clara, CA 05/10/08 Redwood Amphitheater at Great America - Spring Celebration Santa Clara, CA 05/31/08 Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds Chippewa Falls, WI

05/31/08 Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds Chippewa Falls, WI

07/11/08 Timberwolf Amphitheater at Kings Island Kings Island, OH

07/12/08 Kingswood Amphitheatre - Kings Fest Doswell, VA

07/18/08 Willmar Civic Center Grounds - Sonshine Festival Willmar, MN

07/19/08 Drumheller Believe Festival Calgary, Alberta

09/05/08 Walt Disney World Resort - Night of Joy 2008 Orlando, FL

09/06/08 Walt Disney World Resort - Night of Joy 2008 Orlando, FL

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

Needtobreathe

I wanted to share some videos of Bear Rinehart, lead singer for Needtobreathe, performing with his GX. Check out the band live at the dates below.

11-08-2007 - Beat KitchenChicago, IL

11-09-2007 - The District VenueLake Orion, MI

11-10-2007 - Youth ExplostionCleveland, OH

11-11-2007 - North Star BarPhiladelphia, PA

11-13-2007 - Paradise LoungeBoston, MA

11-14-2007 - Jammin javaVienna, VA

11-15-2007 - Headliner'sColumbia, SC

11-16-2007 - Triad Community CenterHigh Point, NC

11-30-2007 - Club 3 DegreesMinneapolis, MN

12-01-2007 - College of St. ScholasticaDuluth, MN

12-08-2007 - FBCRincon, GA

12-29-2007 - Private EventIndianapolis, IN

12-31-2007 - New Life Community CenterLouisa, VA

01-04-2008 - White Stone Community CenterWhite Stone, VA

Point of Grace

I wanted to share with all of you a really cool photo of Dana Cappillino, the guitar player for Point of Grace. I'm also attaching a video of Dana using his GX live.

To see Dana performing live, check out Point of Grace out on tour.

Nov 09
New Orleans, LA

Nov 10
Akron, OH

Nov 15
Cozumel, MX

Nov 27
Orland Park, IL

Nov 29
Savannah, GA

Nov 30
Greensboro, NC

Dec 01
Aiken, SC

Dec 02
Lakeland, FL

Dec 05
Mustang, OK

Dec 06
Dallas, TX

Dec 07
Fort Worth, TX

Dec 08
Jonesboro, AR

Dec 09
Waco, TX

Dec 11
Smyrna, TN

Dec 12
McMurray, PA

Dec 13
Mechanicsburg, PA

Dec 14
Elkhart, IN

Dec 15
Kokomo, IN

Dec 16
St. Peters, MO

Jan 26
Barrien Springs, MI

Feb 01
Honolulu, HI

Feb 13
Oklahoma City, OK

Feb 14
Omaha, NE

Feb 16
Springfield, OH

Feb 23
Southlake, TX

Feb 24
Southlake, TX

Apr 04
Minneapolis, MN

Building 429 video "You Carried Me"

I thought I would share Building latest video, "You Carried Me" with him performing with his GX. Be sure to catch them on tour with Shoutfest and Aaron Shust.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies

Composite Acoustics endorsee Steven Page, with Barenaked Ladies, performing live with his Vintage. Stay tuned for more video and photos of Steven performing with his new sunburst Vintage.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Richie McDonald

Richie McDonald - If Every Day Could Be Christmas CD Pre-Order (Ships 11/8/07)

Richie McDonald is set to release his first solo album, a Christmas collection titled "If Every Day Could Be Christmas," on November 8th, 2007!

"If Every Day Could Be Christmas" features several original Christmas compositions, including "Coming Home For Christmas" (feat. Jim Brickman), "...Why Santa's Fat," and "Christmas In New York," as well as holiday classics such as "White Christmas," "Most Wonderful Time of the Year," and "The Christmas Song."

http://www.richiemcdonald.com/

Be sure to catch Richie performing with his GX on tour with Jim Brickman. The dates are below.

Oct 24
Birmingham, AL
Stardome

Oct 25
Montgomery, AL
Riverwalk Amphitheatre

Nov 03
St Cloud, MN
Paramount Theatre

Nov 04
St Cloud, MN
Paramount Theatre

Nov 23
Mesa, AZ
Mesa Arts Center

Nov 24
Mesa, AZ
Mesa Arts Center

Nov 25
El Paso, TX
The Plaza Theatre Performing Arts Center

Nov 26
Lubbock, TX
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center

Nov 27
Wichita, KS
Century II

Nov 28
Sioux Falls, SD
Washington Pavilion

Nov 29
Milwaukee, WI
Riverside Theatre

Nov 30
Merrillville, IN
Star Plaza Theatre

Dec 01
Memphis, TN
Orpheum Theatre

Dec 02
Minneapolis, MN
Pantages Theatre

Dec 03
Appleton, WI
Fox Cities Performing Arts Center

Dec 04
Evansville, IN
Victory Theatre

Dec 05
Charleston, WV
Clay Center

Dec 06
Easton, PA
State Theatre

Dec 07
Richmond, VA
Landmark Theatre

Dec 08
New York City, NY
Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Ctr

Dec 09
Wilmington, DE
Playhouse at The Dupont Theatre

Dec 10
Gettysburg, PA
Majestic Theatre

Dec 12
Chattanooga, TN
Tivoli Theatre

Dec 13
Huntsville, AL
Von Braun Center

Dec 14
St. Louis, MO
Blanche M Touhill Performing Arts Center

Dec 15
Atlanta, GA
Cobb Energy Center

Dec 16
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee Theatre

Dec 18
Melbourne, FL
King Center

Dec 19
Ft. Myers, FL
Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall

Dec 20
Jacksonville, FL
Florida Theatre

Dec 21
Clearwater, FL
Ruth Eckerd Hall

Dec 22
Providence, RI
Providence Performing Arts Center

Dec 23
Manchester, NH
Palace Theatre

Dec 26
Grand Rapids, MI
DeVos Performance Hall

Dec 27
Fort Wayne, IN
Embassy Theatre

Dec 28
Erie, PA
Warner Theatre

Dec 29
Lexington, KY
Singletary Center

Dec 30
Canton, OH
Palace Theatre

Dec 31
Toledo, OH
Stranahan Theatre

Jan 12
Malibu, CA
Smothers Theatre

Jan 18
Honolulu, HI
Blaisdell Center

Jan 19
Honolulu, HI
Blaisdell Center

Feb 12
Idaho Falls, ID
Civic Auditorium

Feb 13
Pocatello, ID
Stephens Performing Arts Center

Feb 14
Salt Lake City, UT
Kingsbury Hall

Feb 15
Salt Lake City, UT
Kingsbury Hall

Feb 16
Prescott, AZ
Yavapai College Arts Center

Mar 02
Palm Desert, CA
McCallum Theatre

Mar 07
Dallas, TX
Meyerson Symphony Center

Mar 08
Dallas, TX
Meyerson Symphony Center

Mar 09
Dallas, TX
Meyerson Symphony Center

Billy McLaughlin

I have known Billy for quite a few years. He is not only a talented guitar player, but just a great guy. Billy recently played for us at the Summer Namm Show in Austin Texas and brought a lot of attention to our booth during his performances. I felt you should know a little bit more about the man and what he has been through the past several years.

Billy McLaughlin has been changing people’s idea of what an acoustic guitar can sound like since the 1980’s. Billy is often mentioned alongside Michael Hedges as having influenced an entire generation of guitar players. He is recognized as an innovative performer and composer who embraces the advantages of acoustic guitar amplification, unorthodox techniques and altered tunings while celebrating a gift for melody. His vision of an acoustic guitar that sounds as big as a grand piano and as fluid as a violin has carried him around the world, to Billboard’s Top-Ten Chart and most recently through a devastating medical disorder called focal dystonia. McLaughlin is in the early stages of what might be described as “one of the great musical-comeback stories of all time.” After a hand injury in 1997, I began to really struggle with playing solo guitar. It wasn't just the swollen knuckles. Something had crept in....into my hand, my wrist, my arm....an unwanted guest that wouldn't leave. I had no name for this visitor who caused my fingers to suddenly curl, caused the music to veer out of control as audiences cringed, caused my solo career to slowly (against all my stubborn nature) grind to a halt. The doctors call it focal dystonia (FD) and musicians dread the diagnosis. More often than not, FD spells the end of what typically begins as a love affair between the player, the melody, and the audience. Like Parkinson's, the body no longer can relax naturally when it should. Practiced movements become unpredictable and so very frustrating. Initially, the diagnosis was a relief. I truly thought I had been going crazy. In fact years ago, musicians with focal dystonia were labeled “hysterics.” Finding out it wasn’t “in my head” (even though every neurological disorder is of course in your head) was a relief. I had never heard of focal dystonia or that such a condition existed. I had attended a major university school of music for a performance degree and never heard a word about this career ending malady. I never saw it mentioned in a guitar magazine or music education publication. No wonder I thought I was losing my mind! The relief only lasted until I began learning more about what I was up against…what I am still up against.
Dystonia comes in many forms. Some types affect the whole body. Those are called general dystonias. The dystonia I have is called focal because it is limited to one area of my body – my left forearm, hand, and fingers. One treatment uses botox to weaken the muscles that are overreacting involuntarily when I play. I am told that I am at a higher risk of developing additional dystonia but that it might not spread at all. At this time there is no cure but research continues. The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is based in Chicago and publishes a newsletter for the broader dystonia community called Dystonia Dialogue. I have met many excellent doctors along the way including Dr. Jennine Speier (Sister Kenny Institute – Musician’s Clinic/Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis) Dr. Demitrius Maraganore (Mayo Clinic/Rochester), and Dr. Barbara Karp and Dr. Zoltan Mari (National Institute of Health). Someday soon I hope to meet Dr. Steven Frucht and Dr. Seth Pullman from Columbia University who also specialize in dystonia. I know the hard work of these and many other dedicated individuals can lead to a cure if enough support for research can be generated. My dystonia affects me everyday. I am playing music again because I found a way around it for now. I would like to someday say that I am cured and until I can, I will work to raise awareness of dystonia and support for research towards a cure.
Until that day comes,
Billy McLaughlin

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Jackson Waters

I spoke to David Leonard last week while he was on the road. He wanted to let me know that he had recently tried out some of our new RT finish guitars at a music store called Blue Moon Music in Fayetteville, AR. David liked what he saw and wanted me to know. Thanks to Blue Moon Music for supporting us. If your in the Fayetteville, AR area, be sure to check them out at the address below or call.

Blue Moon Music

3107 No. College

Fayetteville, AR 72703

(479) 521-8163

Or, visit our webpage at: www.compositeacoustics.com

I am including some new photos I recently took of David performing live with his Vintage.

Building 429

I thought I would share with all of you the new custom painted Building 429 "Iris to Iris" GX.

To watch Jason performing with his GX in their latest video,"You Carried Me", click the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxejXxA2M_E

Stay tuned for news in the weeks to come for your chance to win this very guitar.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

After Edmund

I met with Ben Hosey, guitar player and Mitch Parks, lead singer/guitar player along with the rest of the guys in After Edmund earlier this week. The guys were passing through Nashville on their way home to Georgia for a couple days off.

Having been raised on a hearty intake of indie, classic and experimental rock, along with the fact that the guys are classically trained and met amidst college music classes, are just a few points of distinction for After Edmund in the modern pop/rock pack. The LaGrange, Georgia-groomed quintet (named after the Edmund character in C.S. Lewis’ bestselling book series The Chronicles of Narnia) has been electrifying that regional scene and beyond since 2001, touring tirelessly and refining a potent alternative sound that merges the timeless sensibilities of Pink Floyd and the Beatles with the organic influences of Wilco, the dynamic swells of Keane, plus the band’s own razor-sharp rhythms and introspective lyrics.

The guys grew up listening to all kinds of music—classical and classic rock to jazz and experimental stuff. They are kind of a melting pot, a unique fingerprint for Christian music, combining so many of their own individual musical influences into one sound. Their musical backgrounds are so diverse, it’s interesting to see how they pull it all together. More than just sounding strong, they hopeed their varied backgrounds would open them up to a larger audience--one not subject to the same three chords over and over. Those elements were exactly what attracted Slanted Records, the pop/rock/alternative indie label under the Spring Hill Music umbrella, which also recently launched the Grammy-nominated act DecembeRadio. The two bands share the same producer Scotty Wilbanks (Third Day, Overflow, Echoing Angels), who introduced After Edmund to the highly interested staff when demoing tracks for its national debut.

Merging the timeless sensibilities of Pink Floyd and the Beatles with the organic influences of Wilco, the dynamic swells of Keane, plus the band’s own razor-sharp rhythms and introspective lyrics, After Edmund says Hello with their electrifying brand of music. Meticulously crafting their first nationally released album has been at the forefront of the band’s efforts for the winter of 2006-2007. The result has proven to be overwhelmingly fruitful throughout the ambitious “Hello,” which fans from any scene can recognize for its artful approach when it hits the shelves in early 2008. Between the vast degree of inventive muses, plus members’ own individual talents and chemistry with one another, the disc is drenched with an engaging sonic landscape and thought-provoking lyrical fodder.

Emerson Drive

I met with Emerson Drive at The Grand Ole' Opry tonight to take some live shots of lead singer/guitar player, Brad Mates, playing his Bluegrass Composite Acoustics on stage. Emerson Drive's song "I Can Only Imagine" is now up on the listening party for "Songs for Worship: Country" on CMT.com. The nominations for the Inspirational Country Music Awards were announced last week and Emerson Drive is honored to be included in the Video of the Year category along with 4 other country artists. This is the third Video of the Year nomination for "Moments," Emerson Drive won the Video of the Year award from the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) in September and they are nominated for a CMA Award in the same category (the CMA Awards take place in November 2007).

Christian Country Music Association is proud to announce the Top 5 category nominees for the 13th Annual Inspirational Country Music Award Show (ICM Awards) which will be held at the historic Acuff Theater, Sunday, November 4th, 2007, at 6 PM CST. The member-voted ICM Awards Show is the keynote event of Inspirational Country Week, slated for October 31st through November 4th in Nashville, TN. Midas Records Nashville recording artist Emerson Drive kicked off the 2007 Canadian Country Music Awards with a beautiful performance of their #1 song “Moments,” complete with orchestral accompaniment and went on to sweep the show, bringing home 3 awards. Emerson Drive was named Group or Duo of the Year, and received the awards for Single of the Year (“Moments”) and Video of the Year (“Moments”). Emerson Drive hope to continue their winning streak in November, as they also received nods from the Country Music Association for Group of the Year and Video of the Year (“Moments”). The band’s latest single, “You Still Own Me,” written by Johnny Reid, Noah Gordon and Phillip Douglas, is currently climbing the charts and can be heard by visiting www.myspace.com/emersondrive .

Academy of Country Music (ACM) Awards:
2006 New Vocal Group Nominee (air date: 5/15/07)
2002 Top New Vocal Group/Duo Winner (air date: 5/21/03)

Billboard Magazine Year End Awards:
2002 Top New Artist

Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards:
2007 Group/Duo of the Year Winner
2007 Album of the Year Nominee for COUNTRIFIED
2007 Single of the Year Winner for "Moments"
2007 CMT Video of the Year Winner for "Moments"
2006 Group/Duo of the Year Nominee
2006 CMT Video of the Year Nominee for "A Good Man"
2005 Group/Duo of the Year Nominee
2004 Group/Duo of the Year Nominee
2004 CMT Video of the Year Nominee for "Last One Standing"
2003 Group/Duo of the Year Winner
2002 Group/Duo of the Year Winner
2002 Rising Star Award Winner
2002 Album of the Year Nominee for EMERSON DRIVE
2002 Single of the Year Nominee for "I Should Be Sleeping"
2002 CMT Video of the Year Nominee for "I Should Be Sleeping"

Country Music Association (CMA) Awards:
2007 Vocal Group of the Year Nominee
2007 Video of the Year Nominee for "Moments"

CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards:
2003 Breakthrough Video of the Year Nominee for "Fall Into Me"

Juno Awards:
2007 Country Recording of the Year Nominee for COUNTRIFIED
2003 Country Recording of the Year Nominee for EMERSON DRIVE

Radio & Records Year End Awards:
2002 Top New Artist MVP

Sunday, October 7, 2007

Pillar

Noah Henson and I have been friends for quite a few years and we recently got together for him to check out a GX Performer Series, which he was very impressed with.

The band just finished recording their new CD entitled "For the Love of the Game". The guys hope to have the new album out in February or March. You can hear Rob talking about the new album and hear some snippets of tunes on www.youtube.com/pillartv. Check it out.

Make sure you check the band out live at the dates below.

Friday, October 5, 2007Powell Aud. Hih Des ChurchVictorville, CA
Saturday, October 6, 2007Wichita, KSShout Fest 07
Sunday, October 14, 2007Manassas, VA Shout Fest 07
Friday, October 19, 2007Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, October 20, 2007Beaufort, SC Shout Fest 07
Sunday, October 21, 2007Simpsonville, SCShout Fest 07
Saturday, October 27, 2007Sherman, TXShout Fest 07
Sunday, October 28, 2007Waco, TX Shout Fest 07
Wednesday, October 31, 2007Omaha, NELiberty Christian Center 5616 L Street402-733-8897402-733-3056http://www.lcc-omaha.org/
Saturday, November 3, 2007New Orleans, LA Shout Fest 07
Saturday, November 10, 2007West Palm Beach, FLShout Fest 07
Saturday, November 17, 2007Winter Haven, FLShout Fest 07
Sunday, November 18, 2007Jacksonville, FLShout Fest 07
Friday, December 7, 2007Ennepetal, GermanyChristmas Rock Night

Sugarland

Composite Acoustics endorsee, Scott Patton is pictured on tour performing (and wearing a CA T-shirt) with his GX Performer along with Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Jennifer and Kristian would like to ask YOU to be a part of their Change fall tour. They are interested in how you changed your mind and changed your world. Have you have seen a need in your community, your home, your country, your job, your friends and done something about it? If so, they would like you to upload a video to YouTube and tell them about it. Jennifer and Kristian will pick from your stories and maybe include yours in their show when they come to your town or a town near you. Just follow the instructions at this link. http://www.sugarlandfan.com/index.php?&content=changeforchange

To see Scott performing with his GX Performer Series attend one of their shows at the dates listed below.

10/11/2007 Pershing Center Lincoln, NE

10/12/2007 U.S. Cellular Center Cedar Rapids, IA

10/13/2007 Target Center Minneapolis, MN

10/26/2007 Reno Events Center Reno, NV

10/27/2007 Selland Arena Fresno, CA

10/28/2007 NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live Los Angeles, CA

11/1/2007 ARIZONA STATE FAIR PHOENIX, AZ

11/2/2007 ipayOne Center San Diego, CA

11/3/2007 Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas, NV

11/9/2007 Kay Yeager Coliseum Wichita Falls, TX

11/10/2007 NOKIA Theatre @ Grand Prairie Dallas, TX

11/11/2007 Mississippi Coast Coliseum Biloxi, MS

11/14/2007 NOKIA Theatre New York, NY

11/15/2007 MassMutual Center Arena Springfield, MA

11/16/2007 BROOME COUNTY ARENA BINGHAMTON, NY

11/17/2007 Cumberland County Civic Center Portland, ME

11/30/2007 Assembly Hall Champaigne, IL

12/1/2007 Resch Center Green Bay, WI

12/2/2007 Ralph Engelstad Arena Grand Forks, ND

12/6/2007 Kellogg Arena Battle Creek, MI

12/7/2007 Chevrolet Centre Youngstown, OH

12/8/2007 John Paul Jones Arena Charlottesville, VA

12/11/2007 Big Sandy Arena Huntington, WV

12/13/2007 Crown Center Arena Fayetteville, NC

12/14/2007 Columbus Civic Center Columbus, GA

12/15/2007 Von Braun Center Huntsville, AL