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.

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

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.

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

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

Seventh Day Slumber - Shoutfest

I spent some time with lead singer/guitar player Joseph Rojas and guitar player Jeremy Holderfield during Shoutfest this past weekend. Both Joseph and Jeremy are Composite Acoustics endorsees and it is a perfect fit. During their set, Joseph made it a point to hold up his C.O.T. and mention to the audience that they were proud endorsers of Composite Acoustics. The band has some really cool things going on later this year, that I will have to fill all of you in later on. Their new single, "Every Saturday" will be released to radio very shortly.

The Afters - Shoutfest 07

I traveled to Jackson Tennessee this past weekend to spend some time with my friends in the band, "The Afters." Joshua Havens pictured above is a Composite Acoustics endorsee. I have worked with most of the band including Matt Fuqua and Brad Wigg. The band is presently on tour with Building 429 and Shoutfest. The band recently just finished recording their new CD and rumor has it that there may be a new single out this month. Make sure you check out Joshua playing his Vintage Composite Acoustic on these two tours. The dates are below.

Oct 1 2007
7:00P
KFSI
Rochester, Minnesota
Oct 2 2007
9:00P
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minnesota
Oct 3 2007
8:00P
Lake Zurich Performing Arts Center
Lake Zurich, Illinois
Oct 5 2007
7:00P
The Foundry Music Venue
Joplin, Missouri
Oct 6 2007
5:30P
Shout Fest 07’ New Spring Church
Wichita, Kansas
Oct 7 2007
5:30P
ShoutFest 07- Searcy Events Center
Searcy, Arkansas
Oct 18 2007
7:00P
World Outreach Church
Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Oct 19 2007
7:00P
Rainbow Forest Baptist
Troutville, Virginia
Oct 20 2007
5:30P
Shout Fest
Beaufort, South Carolina
Oct 21 2007
5:30P
Shout Fest
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Oct 23 2007
6:30P
Rankin County Multi-Purpose Building
Flowood, Missouri
Oct 24 2007
7:00P
Mobberly Baptist Church
Longview, Texas
Oct 25 2007
6:00P
PaulAnn Baptist Church
San Angelo, Texas
Oct 26 2007
8:30P
Grace Christian Center
Katy, Texas
Oct 27 2007
8:00P
ShoutFest 07- Grayson County Airport
Sherman, Texas
Oct 28 2007
5:30P
ShoutFest 07
Waco, Texas
Nov 3 2007
5:30P
Shout Fest- Zephyrs field
New Orleans, Louisiana
Nov 4 2007
5:30P
ShoutFest 07- Bushlow Lake Recreation Complex
Pineville, Louisiana
Nov 10 2007
6:30P
WayFest (ShoutFest)
West Palm Beach, Florida
Nov 11 2007
7:30P
ShoutFest 07
Jacksonville, Florida
Nov 17 2007
5:30P
Shout Fest- Cypress Gardens
Winter Haven, Florida
Dec 29 2007
8:00P
Anaheim Convention Center
Anaheim, California
Mar 21 2008
9:00P
Congreso 2008/ University of Mary Hardin Baylor
Belton, Texas