The only way to describe the show put on by Thom Bresh (Nashville) & "Buster" B Jones (Virginia) at the Prince of Wales Hotel in Athlone this Sunday afternoon.
They enthralled a packed house with their musicianship, dexterity and jovial friendly nature, Nashville and Virginia must surely be proud of these extraordinary guitar giants.
Thom Bresh is the son of guitar legend Merle Travis, nowadays he travels throughout the U.S. and abroad, sharing the bill with fellow performers such as Randy Travis, Aaron Tippin and the Bellamy Brothers.
Thom, who is one of the pioneers and innovators of electronic computerized MIDI guitars, also makes regular appearances alongside Chet Atkins on tour. Not only is he a talented guitar player, he is also an accomplished impressionist.
Amongst his television appearances, he starred on Nashville Swing, Austin City Limits, Nashville Now, Music City Tonight and The People's Choice Awards.
"Buster" B Jones from Virginia, also comes with a formidable reputation, having won the 1998 first Guitar Player Sound Page Competition and the 1990 U.S. National Fingerstyle Championship.
Buster has toured with accomplished artists such as Allison Krauss, Little Feat, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Albert Lee throughout North America, Europe, France and Finland.
I took the students from my class at The Academy to see the show, and they were enthralled not only by the playing, but the sound of the "Godin" guitars Thom and "Buster" played. Just Awesome !!!
The two musical ambassadors met my students and were MOST encouraging towards them. I would like to thank the country music fraternity, and Thom and "Buster' in particular for putting on a show that us mere mortals rarely if ever could see live here in Ireland.
Of the two, there is nothing to chose between them, BUT, I was talking to both in length and came to the conclusion that Thom could be persuaded to take up steel as a secondary instrument. This would be of immeasurable benefit to the steel guitar community. His style of finger picking would lend itself to the style of fingerpicking used by some of our greats..... the only problem is that I don't know who to recommend for Thom to listen to........ I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions.... Names and albums, tracks etc.
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Basil Henriques
Emmons D-10 1970
and
Emmons D-10 1970 "Anniversary"
1949 "Leilani"
1949 Dickerson
RICKENBACKER "Olde Uglie" Twin 8
"Fender 1000"
<SMALL>Steel players do it without fretting</SMALL>
http://homepage.tinet.ie/~basilhenriques/
http://www.stax-a-trax.com/
) and in particular about his thumbpicking style and if he ever played p.s.g. . He told me that he is actually considering having a pedal steel guitar built for himself in the near future .