Author Archive for Geno

It’s Thanksgiving Day in Canada.  Happy Thanksgiving to Canucks near and far.  At my house we prepared a Thanksgiving feast yesterday.  Delicious!

And to the Americans out there, Happy Columbus Day. (?)  I suppose now is the magical time of year when the Banks and the Post Office steadfastly close their doors, despite the rest of the country trudging on as usual, and reflect on the man who found what no one was looking for, what others had found centuries before, what some had simply always called home:  America.

It recalls the summer of 1983 when my own family bravely set sail - or perhaps just set the cruise control - and, indeed, discovered America!  “The Nina, the Pinta, and the Buick Le Sabre” could’ve occupied the same coveted place on history’s mantle had we been a few hundred years earlier, but the story rings just as true. 

We were younger, more carefree, though no less certain that our voyage would prove to be just as fruitful as that of Columbus himself.  There existed a hustle and bustle that, unbeknownst to me, had thrived for a very long time.  But we had discovered it!  There were those who lived and worked not unlike the way my own kind did.  Wait ’til we told the world what we had found!  It would become more and more evident over time that we perhaps were not the first visitors to this land – certainly not what I had anticipated as our prairie schooner navigated the familiar golden waves of wheat.

Some of that journey will be lost to history.  Some of the smaller details will be forgotten; for example, the Stucky’s truck stop had the worst pancakes I’ve ever eaten.  But some of the significance will live on.  All the similarities intact, I’ve decided to add my moniker to the country’s landscape.

Imagine celebrating “Carlson Day” basking in the splendor of the state capitol in Carlson, Ohio.  Sounds like my kind of party!

Whatever you do on this holiday weekend, have fun and pretend you’re the first one in history to do it!

Cheers,

Geno

Hey everybody.  Just thought I’d drop by and say a quick hello to both people who read my blog. haha

We’ve been plenty busy lately.  There was the Greeley Irish Fest which was an absolute blast!  I’ll direct everyone to Adam’s blog for all the details, but suffice it to say we love playing in Greeley!  There were some crazy highlights:  I forgot Ted’s name and Ted spilled my beer – I guess we’re even.  Also, our friend Dapper Dan missed our show and found himself in an emergency room somewhere.  His chronically sore shoulder will hereafter remind him to take it easy.

Last week we recorded an original Christmas song.  There are so many good Christmas songs already, how does a band go about writing another?  I’m not sure, either.  Especially since we recorded it in the middle of September.  But I think we’ve got a new favorite on our hands and I can’t wait to hear the finished product.  We’ll be sure to let you all know when it’s time to get festive up in here!

Things keep rolling along for our Ireland Tour and everybody is starting to get excited.  We’re almost down to “crunch” time when all the details need to be sorted out.  I always feel like I’ll forget something when I’m preparing for a big trip like this.  I just hope it’s not my toothbrush.

 

Cheers,

Geno

July 7, 2010, 8:49pm.  My cell phone rings.  I don’t recognize the number but I’ll answer it anyway.  One never knows when opportunity will knock or, in this technological time, call one’s cell phone.  It was a telemarketer.  I thought telemarketers weren’t supposed to call a person’s cell phone.  This isn’t gonna end well!

“Hello, sir, I’m Jeff with (insert telemarketing company name here) and I’d like to ask you a few questions about music and musical equipment; if you choose to participate in our survey you will be eligible for a $5 gift card to the music retailer of your choice.”  Wow!  I’ll be able to get those guitar picks I’ve had my eye on.  “What do you say, sir?  Do you have time to participate in a brief survey?”

Never having been a fan of telemarketers, I snort, “I’ll start your survey but there’s no guarantee that I’ll finish it.”

“Thank you, sir,” he reads from his script.  “In the past twelve months have you purchased TVs or home theater equipment, automobiles, computer equipment,“  I thought this was going to be a survey about music,  “musical instruments,” oh, there it is, ”or car stereo equipment?” 

“Yes, I’ve purchased musical instruments,” I answer flatly.

“Thank you, sir.  What kind of musical instrument did you purchase.”  Now, fearless reader, here’s where it gets good – though I don’t know it yet.

“A mandolin.”  That was painless enough.  If I can hang with it, that $5 gift card is as good as mine!

“Thank you, sir.  Now, is that a keyboard?  Or drums?”

Well, hello, Mr. Stupid!  I knew this call wasn’t going to last long.  I say, “nope.  It’s a mandolin.  You and I are done here!”  With that, I hang up the phone and grab a pen so I can write down what just transpired.  You just can’t make this stuff up!

I meant to write about this but kind of forgot ’til now…

Lock-It guitar straps.  Try ‘em!  Adam turned me onto this company.  I needed a new strap for a guitar I bought a year ago so I went with Adam’s recommendation and tried a new product from a new company.  The Lock-It guitar strap has a locking mechanism built into either end of the strap.  In the past, a person would have to buy new hardware and perhaps drill into his guitar to use a strap lock system.  But with Lock-It that’s not necessary anymore; you don’t need to alter your guitar just to keep it from falling out of the strap. 

BUT (you just knew there was a “but” coming)…

When we play with the full band Adam and I get to cut loose a bit and play our electric guitars.  Tons o’ fun!  When I tried the Lock-It strap on my electric guitar (which happens to be a Les Paul) it didn’t exactly work as planned.  The combination of the angle at which I hold my guitar and the weight of the guitar itself caused the Lock-It mechanism to break.  In fact, when we played at O’Gara’s Garage on St. Patrick’s Day I had to reverse the strap (top to bottom) because it had finally broken entirely.  I almost dropped my Les Paul during that show!  Not good!

Here’s where the story gets better.  I called Willie’s American Guitar – where I bought the strap – and asked about a refund/replacement.  They said they’d just replce it for me but they were sold out at the moment.  I guess these things are getting quite popular.  I sent an email the the Lock-It company and told them about my predicament.  I was a bit worried that I’d get the standard, 21st century corporate response:  ”that’s not our problem, sir.”  I mean, it’s not like companies stand behind their products anymore.  That’s why they always try to sell extended warranties, protection plans, insurance against normal wear-and-tear, blah, blah, and/or blah.  But not Lock-It!

I received a reply the next day from the owner of the company and he was surprised and concerned that his strap had, in fact, failed.  To make a long story short, I sent the strap to Lock-It and got it back within a week, broken parts fully replaced. 

So I learned a few things:  1) the Lock-It strap isn’t exactly the best option for use on my Les Paul, 2) the Lock-It strap works great at home on my Strat (no wonder Adam uses this strap on his Strat), & 3) the Lock-It company stands behind their product!  They get a full 5 Stars from WCB!!   Thanks, Lock-It.

The other day the mood struck.  I decided to bake some bread.  Never done it before, but the time I decided to try baking cookied things went ok, so I assumed this would, too.  Turns out I’m some kind of baking genius!   The bread was delicious — I just thought I’d share/brag about it. haha

Dough is made

Rises in 60 min - weird, eh?

In the pans

Ready for the oven (I hope ONE of these turns out!)

Making progress

Uh oh! The one on the left looks a little off...

The loaf in the foreground is obviously the star

Not bad for my first try – and the bread was delicious!

Geno