GSSO Announces New Mission and Vision!
Dear Guitar Fans:
At the August Paschal meeting, we announced that GSSO had expanded its mission to include outreach to our wonderful community in southern Oregon, with particular focus on youth and on community members who are underrepresented or disconnected from the transformative power of music. See our new mission and vision here: GSSO’s New Mission.
What does this look like in practice? GSSO’s first community partnership is with the Ashland Senior Center, and on August 30th Grant Ruiz presented a free program of Flamenco songs, stories, and history to a large and appreciative crowd. We received the following message from the director of the Senior Center:
“Dear Grant and fellow members of GSSO,
Thank you so much for offering an amazing classical flamenco guitar concert at Ashland Senior Center yesterday! Grant’s playing and singing was so beautiful and moving. It was so wonderful to bring such joy to everyone at the Senior Center yesterday.”
Grant Ruiz performing at Ashland Senior Center
We have also partnered with Britt Music & Arts Festival to provide music education in local schools. Our first joint artist in 2023 was Jâca, to be followed by Rene Izquierdo in November and Boyd Meets Girl next March.
New in 2024, GSSO is exploring additional opportunities to assist with guitar education for at risk youth in Rogue Valley, as well discussing opportunities to play acoustic guitar for hospice patients and their families. We also plan to provide a series of free guitar music performances at rural Jackson County Library branches.
In addition to our outreach efforts, we will continue to celebrate the acoustic guitar through our monthly open-mic meetings at Paschal Winery, as well as offer world-class guitar concerts in our region.
Look for future announcements regarding adding new board member positions and collaboration with new partners in the region. We are actively pursuing grants to support our new mission, and we are excited to take this journey with you, our members and supporters.
Respectfully submitted,
The Board of the Guitar Society of Southern Oregon
Matt Dorris, President
Grant Ruiz, Secretary
Jennifer Babineaux, Treasurer
Peter Jespersen
Ryan Alexander
Pop-up Flamenco concert Monday, April 13th with special Spanish guest!
  Greetings, guitar fans!As you know, we use this email list for monthly announcements, but I have to tell you about something very rare and special happening Monday, April 13 at 7:30pm in Ashland. A renowned flamenco singer from Spain, Ezequiel Benitez, is passing through on his way from Portland to San Francisco while on tour. He’s agreed to stop here to give a concert! He’ll be accompanied by guitarist Jesse Torres. I understand there may be a guest singer and dancer as well. The concert will take place on Monday at 7:30pm at the Oak Street Dance Studio located at 1287 Oak Street in Ashland. Doors will open at 7:15pm. Advanced reservations are highly recommended. You can order tickets here. This link will take you to PayPal, but don’t worry if you don’t have a PayPal account. You can still pay with debit or credit card. If you want more information, please email dancer Lourdes Rodriguez, who is organizing the event, or you can call her at (279) 842-2058. Just to be clear, this isn’t a GSSO event, but we’re glad to tell you about it. Ezequiel was born in Jerez de la Frontera, one of the cradles of flamenco. He is one of the most singular and profound voices in contemporary flamenco. His cante (singing) is characterized by a strong artistic personality that naturally blends the purest tradition with a contemporary perspective. He is particularly known for his ability to stir emotions and communicate from a place of truth and deep roots. Here’s a fun video of Ezequiel in action. Respectfully submitted, Grant Ruiz Secretary, GSSO |
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for April 2026
| Greetings guitar fans, Welcome to the recap for the GSSO monthly gathering on Thursday, April at Paschal Winery. As a reminder, if you haven’t already, please renew your membership or become a new member by visiting guitarsocietyso.org/become-a-member.  The Monthly MeetingPROGRAM Neil Holland – Gee Whiz (original) Brian Parris – Angel by Jimi Hendrix, Till You Come Back To Me by Stevie Wonder Long, Long Time by Gary White John Swinnerton – Paschal, Staffordshire, Jazz Night, Americana (originals) Paul Mozilla – West Coast Blues by Wes Montgomery, Bridge Over Troubled Waters by Simon and Garfunkel Mark Turnbull – Spring, Beyond the Blues, The Good Sport, Meditation (originals) |
 AnnouncementsMark Turnbull will play at La Baguette in Ashland on Saturday, April 18 from 10:30am to 12:30pm.Canto Sol (Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman) will play at the Paschal Winery happy hour on Sunday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:30pm; at Cafe Lumina in Ashland on Thursday, April 30 from 6 to 8pm; and at The Springs at Veranda Park in Medford on Tuesday, May 5 from 11am to 1pm. Grant will play at Liquid Lounge in Ashland on Friday, May 1 from 7 to 9pm; at Mother’s Day brunch at Paschal Winery on May 10 from 10:30am to 1:30pm; and at Tap & Vine in Medford on Sunday, May 10 from 5 to 7pm. Jason Wolverton and Vanessa Finney will be at the Punch House in Central Point on Saturday, May 2 from 3 to 5pm.Guitar for saleLocal luthier Phleques builds classical-style guitars that use steel strings. The designs are beautiful, as you can see from the photos above. You can check out the models and pricing (which is very reasonable for hand built instruments) at phlequesguitars.com/shop or click on the images above. GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations:  |
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for March 2026
| Greetings guitar fans, Welcome to the recap for the GSSO monthly gathering on Thursday, March 12 at Paschal Winery. Twelve people paid their annual membership dues at the meeting, bringing our total to 33 year-to-date. We had 60 members last year, and we’re hoping to match that number this year! To renew your membership or become a new member, please visit guitarsocietyso.org/become-a-member. The Monthly MeetingPROGRAM Randall Walker – The Galaxy Song by Eric Idle and John du Prez, Homeward Bound by Paul Simon Norm Fletcher – The Frozen Man by James Taylor, Both Sides Now by Joanie Mitchell’s (arr. Emil Ernebro), Millworker by James Taylor Brian Parris – End of The Innocence by Bruce Hornsby, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by The Animals, Silver Lining by David Gray ~ Intermission ~ Grant Ruiz – Traces if You, Eugene’s Trick Bag by Nicolo Paganini/Steve Vai (arr. Ruiz), Guajiras (trad. flamenco) Mark Hamersly – Prelude to a Kiss by Duke Ellington, I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face by Frederick Loewe and Alan Jay Lerner, Garota de Ipanema by Antonio Carlos Jobim Mark Turnbull – Simple Trust, A Can of Worms, Sew the Flags Together (originals) |
 AnnouncementsOn Friday, March 27, multicultural guitarist and friend of the society Goh Kurosawa will play an intimate house concert in Ashland. Seating is limited, so please make a reservation soon by emailing Grant Ruiz.On Saturday, March 14 (today), Grant Ruiz will play solo guitar at Liquid Lounge in Ashland from 7:00 to 9:00pm and at First Friday, April 3 at Shephard’s dream from 5:00 to 8:00pm. On Wednesday, March 18, Canto Sol (Dan Fellman and Grant) will play for a salsa dance gathering at the Cedarwood Barn in Talent from 6:30 to 7:30pm; on Sunday, March 22 at Belle Fiore Winery in Ashland from 5:00 to 7:00pm; and on Sunday, April 5 at Tap and Vine in Medford from 5:00 to 7:00pm. On Sunday, March 29, Nick Garrett-Powell will play at Paschal Winery’s happy hour from 3:30 to 5:30pm. For more music at Paschal, please see the winery’s event calendar.Guitar for saleLocal luthier Phleques builds classical-style guitars that use steel strings. The designs are beautiful, as you can see from the photos above. You can check out the models and pricing (which is very reasonable for hand built instruments) at phlequesguitars.com/shop or click on the images above. GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations: ShareTweetForward |
Monthly Meeting Recap and News for February 2026
| Greetings guitar fans, On Thursday, February 12, at Paschal Winery, we had a lovely evening full of camaraderie and good music, including by some new performers, plus a presentation of special guitars by their luthier. This is also the season to renew your annual membership (or become a new member) by visiting guitarsocietyso.org/become-a-member. Read on! The Monthly MeetingPROGRAM Francie Buckley – Der Mutige Seiltanzer, Nowhere, both by Angela Mair Norm Fletcher – You Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman, Valentines Day by James Taylor, The Great Dancing Bear by Carl Zimmerman and Steve Ewert Brian Parris – Midnight Rider by The Allman Brothers, Turn The Page by Bob Seeger, When I Call Your Name by Vince Gill ~ Intermission ~ Andy Casad – Sojourn, Just Let Go (originals) Nick Garrett-Powell – Seabeg and Shemore (trad. Irish), Prism/Diffraction (original) on baritone guitar Grant Ruiz – Nothing Else Matters by Metallica, The Silence of a Candle by Ralph Towner (1940 – 2026) Dan Fellman Grant (Canto Sol) – Chan Chan by the Buena Vista Social Club, Libertango by Astor Piazzolla Matt Dorris – Levantine Suite by Dusan Bogdanovic After the music, there was a presentation by local luthier Phleques (phlequesguitars.com), showcasing his classical style guitars that are built for steel strings, which produce almost twice as much tension as nylon strings. Matt, Norm, Andy, and Nick all tried the guitars and said they were very playable, and the sound was clear and bright, but not overly so. Phleques described how his later model removes the sound hole and places two in the upper bouts so there’s more reinforcement along the center line of the soundboard. See more below under Guitars for Sale. |
| AnnouncementsOn Saturday, February 28, Canto Sol (Dan and Grant) will play at the Jacksonville Library from 2 to 3pm. On Saturday, March 1, they will play a full house concert at the Ol’ Barney venue in Grants Pass from 3 to 5pm. Reservations are required, so to reserve your spot(s) and to get the address, please send an email to jeffersonjamsandpreserves@gmail.com. (You can also ask to get on their mailing list.) And do tell your friends in Grants Pass! Admission is paid by donation. On Saturday, March 7, Canto Sol will play at the Paschal wine club pick-up event from 3:30 to 5:30pm. On Friday, March 13 from 7 to 9pm, the Fret Drifters (Andy Casad and Nick Garrett-Powell) will perform an intimate concert at Paschal Winery for their Candle Light Concert Series. You can get more tickets and information here.Guitar for saleLocal luthier Phleques builds classical-style guitars that use steel strings. The designs are beautiful, as you can see from the photos above. Matt Dorris noted that they were as easy to play as a nylon string guitar. You can check out the models and pricing (which is very reasonable for hand built instruments) at phlequesguitars.com/shop or click on the images above. Chris Malloy has some interesting guitars for sale: a 6-string classical by Greg Miller, a requinto, and a 10-string classical by LA maker Tomas Delgado, and a Ramirez. (All but the Ramirez are pictured below.) He’s also interested in donating his guitars to schools or selling them at a low price to earnest students. Please contact Chris at cmalloy@ruralnetwork.net for more information and pricing.   GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations:ShareTweetForward |
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Monthly Meeting Recap and News for January 2026
| Greetings guitar fans, Happy New Year to all! We look forward to the year, when we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in October 2026. Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting, upcoming guitar-related events, and an extraordinary guitar for sale. The Monthly MeetingPROGRAM John Swinnerton – Solitude and Paschal (originals) Brian Parris – Calling Me Home (traditional), Who’ll Stop the Rain by John Fogerty, I’m Not Over You by Carl Jackson, Cowboy Sweetheart by Patsy Montana, Gypsy Soul by Van Morrison, Blackeyed Cajun Woman by the Doobie Brothers Arturo Ville – Moscow Lights (original), Venezuelan folk medley (traditional) Neil Holland – Keep Opening Dawes (original) Matt Dorris – Levantine Suite by Dusan Bogdanovic Mark Turnbull – Love is in Charge, Emerson’s Song, What Does Love Say? (originals) |
  AnnouncementsGrant Ruiz will play solo guitar at Paschal Winery for their happy hour this Sunday, January 18, from 3:30 to 5:30 PM. He’ll also play at Belle Fiore’s wine club release party on Sunday, February 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM and at Trium Wines in Talent on Friday, February 6, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.Mark Turnbull will play at La Baguette Music Cafe (340 A St.) in Ashland on Saturday, January 24, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Canto Sol (Dan Fellman and Grant) will play for a salsa dance party at Cedarwood Barn (7912 Wagner Creek Rd.) in Talent the evening of Wednesday, January 28.  Guitar for saleFrom Dan Mish, danmish51@gmail.com:1975 Hermanos Conde Flamenco Guitar This guitar is a Gravina model made by Faustino Conde. It is the same model played by Paco de Lucia. The guitar is extremely rare in that it has a French polish. It has been appraised twice at $14,000. I am selling it locally for $10,000, so as to not deal with shipping. GUITAR SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN OREGONThe GSSO is grateful to receive support from the following organizations: ShareTweetForward |
