Greetings guitar fans,

Welcome to this month’s newsletter. Read below for a recap of our last meeting and upcoming guitar events coming up in the next month.

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The Monthly Meeting

There were over 35 people in attendance last Thursday, along with some new performers. Welcome Don and Pamela, Jimmy, and Paul!

PROGRAM

Don and Pamela DeHart – Country Roads (John Denver), I’ve Just Seen a Face (Paul McCartney), Let it Be (Paul McCartney)

John Swinnerton – Starry Nights (original)

Jimmy Grant – Untitled (various Roma musicians)

Paul Gehlhar – Untitled (original), Untitled (original)

Steve Bismark – Açai (Djavan)

~ Intermission ~

Art Baden – Leader of the Band (Dan Fogelberg), This Masquerade (Leon Russell), New York State of Mind (Billy Joel)

Brian Parris – Before the Next Teardrop Falls (Baldemar Huerta), Wasted Days and Wasted Nights (Baldemar Huerta)

Mark Turnbull – Baggage, The Past Keeps Pickin’ On Me, Now! (originals)

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Outreach Corner

On Saturday, July 20, 2024 Grant Ruiz played classical and flamenco guitar for 25 people at the Jacksonville Library on behalf of the GSSO. The audience and staff were very enthusiastic and would love to have us back.

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Announcements

Jimmy Grant, who played at this month’s meeting, is putting on a music event called “Camp Django” for people to experience and learn the art of Gypsy jazz, specifically the music of guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The camp takes place October 3-6 in Ashland. You can get more information and register at learngypsyjazz.com/camp-django. This is a rare opportunity to learn about this fantastic music. Tell your guitar and violin loving friends!

Grant Ruiz and Dan Fellman will play at Bloomsbury Blends in Ashland on Saturday, August 24 from 6 to 8pm (hopefully in their beautiful outdoor patio) and at Belle Fiore Winery on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Please consider becoming a member of the guitar society! Annual dues are $25 for individuals and $40 for a family membership (2 or more people) and help pay for logistical costs. They are good for the calendar year, January through December. Performers, teachers, luthiers, and repair people will have the added benefit of being included in the upcoming Resource page of our website, plus the Society will help announce performers upcoming gigs. The Board of Directors continues to discuss more upcoming benefits for members.

As an early reminder, Board elections are coming up in December. If you’re interested in serving on the Board to help determine the future of the guitar society, please reply to this message. FYI, guitar society members are always welcome to attend our monthly Board meetings to get an idea of what we’re working on and planning.

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Guitar for sale

Former guitar society Board member Bruce Smith is selling his 1963 Manuel Velazquez “El Clasico” guitar. Velazquez, a very highly regarded luthier based in New York City at the time, made the soundboard and had his helpers make the rest of the instrument under his supervision. This is a 650mm scale guitar with Brazilian rosewood back and sides, a cedar neck, and a spruce soundboard. The finish needs a lot of work, but the guitar is easy to play, and the sound is deep and rich. The asking price is $2,000. Please contact Bruce Smith at brucedouglasmith@gmail.com or (541) 261-6240‬.