Excerpted from Acoustic Guitar magazine, September 2000, No.93.

News RETURN TO TOP	Worried about a hand injury or pain when you play the guitar? In conjunction with this issue’s feature article "Hands On," we are hosting a special forum on the subject of guitarists’ hand injuries. Meet author Hassaun Ali Jones-Bey and other experts to discuss how to avoid and treat guitar-related hand injuries. Read the story online. Add your $.02 to the online discussions about guitars, gear, players, and playing in the Playing Guitar forum at Guitar Talk. Luthiers Mercantile International in Healdsburg, California, closed the American School of Lutherie this past March. Local guitar maker Charles Fox will continue to offer lutherie instruction in the area. He can be contacted at (707) 431-7836.
Events RETURN TO TOP	Stop by and meet some of the crew from Acoustic Guitar at the Great Midwest Guitar Show, September 15–16 at the Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri. The exhibition will feature some of the world’s finest hand-built acoustic guitars, luthier clinics, and performances by Leo Kottke, Muriel Anderson, and Bucky and John Pizzarelli. Get the details at www.sheldonconcerthall.org or call (314) 533-9900. Toshi Reagon, Equation, Nickel Creek, and Kim Richey grace the stages at the Turtledove Music Festival in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on September 9. Get the scoop at www.chesire.com/turtledove or call (610) 793-1090. Seattle takes a break from the rain over the Labor Day weekend at Bumbershoot, an annual music and arts extravaganza that takes place on 34 stages and galleries. Music headliners include Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper, Tracy Chapman, the Bad Livers, and Iris DeMent. Get more info at www.bumbershoot.org.
In Memory	John D’Addario Sr., former head of J. D’Addario and Company, passed away on June 1, at the age of 84. D’Addario came from an Italian dynasty of string makers dating back to the 17th century. Under his guidance the company grew from a small family business to become the world’s largest manufacturer of strings for fretted instruments. D’Addario’s many contributions to string technology included the development of string sets with varying tensions and the substitution of new synthetic materials for the traditional gut used on classical guitars.
New Releases RETURN TO TOP	New reissues from the distinguished Vanguard Sessions Series should delight vintage folkies and all fans of acoustic music. Phil Ochs’ The Early Years and Tom Paxton’s Best of the Vanguard Years each feature early performances at the Newport Folk Festival as well as favorites from their studio releases. String Alchemy from the same series is an eclectic sampling of contemplative guitar music from four decades of Vanguard artists. Larry Coryell, Sandy Bull, John McEuen, Peter Walker, and John Fahey are among the featured guitarists. Rounder has added some great items to its substantial catalog of classic roots music reissues. Hula Blues: Vintage Steel Guitar Instrumentals from the ’30s and ’40s presents classic tracks from some of the best steel stylists, including Sol Hoopii, Frank Ferera, and Roy Smeck. Bob Dylan once said, "I’d still rather listen to Bill and Charlie Monroe than any current record. That’s what America’s all about to me." He’ll be pleased with What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul, volume one of Rounder’s four-volume set of the Monroe Brothers’ complete RCA/Bluebird recordings.
Cyber Notes RETURN TO TOP	Go to www.tabrobot.com and let the savvy Tab Robot search engine guide you through over 250,000 online tablature resources. Fledgling guitar pickers of the youthful persuasion should check out the interactive lessons, links, and animated "Strumtoons" at www.guitarsforkids.com. Mandolin Café at www.mandolincafe.com is a mecca for enthusiasts of the guitar’s eight-stringed cousin. The site provides extensive player and maker information, tablature, lessons, links, and more. The Guitar Talk discussion forums at Acoustic Guitar Central are generating a lot of buzz about guitars, gear, players, and technique. Drop by to add your two cents or pick up a tip at www.acousticguitar.com.

 

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