PUBLISHERSStatement
Dream it, Live it and Pass it On
The older I get, the more I realize that experiencing the guitar at an early age should be
an opportunity that everyone shares. I believe
that if every person in this world enjoyed the
guitar like we do, the world as we know it
would be a much different place. I can remember the experience of trying to form my first
band and my first experience interacting with
other players. I can also recall sneaking over
to the local bad boy’s house – the kid that the
whole town referred to simply as “long hair”
– to drink Mountain Dew, smoke cigarettes
and play guitar! That intrinsically satisfying,
youthful excitement generated when learning a new lick, conquering a new
scale or simply copping that first groove with a band has become a lifelong addiction.
I can still vividly recall performing at my first junior high talent show and
blowing up the school’s Shure Vocal Master PA during my Kiss tribute
band’s performance; playing my first club at age 17 and literally having to
leave right after the basketball game to get to the club in enough time
for the sound check; my very first week-long tour opening for Head East;
and recording my first original song and meeting my wife of 22 years while
she was working as a waitress at a club where I played near Creighton
University. Hang on, there is a moral to this story.
These days, as I settle into a gigging life comprised primarily of acoustic
shows, I still feel the youthful excitement of that very first junior high talent show – perhaps illustrating that as we get older we tend to judge time
by counting the memories, not by counting the years. I will never play
Carnegie Hall or have a private dressing room at Wembley Stadium, but in
my twisted mind I am a star, simply because I had the power to dream it,
the courage to live it, and now, I have the responsibility to pass it on.
I am sure many of you feel the same. Pass it on – give an eight-year-old kid
an impromptu guitar lesson at the local music store or coordinate a local
fund raising event to purchase guitars for schools. Play a benefit gig for a
local retirement home, donate an hour set to the American Cancer Society
or play Christmas carols at your local hospital and feel the power of music
lift a spirit.
Look at it as another way to “do it yourself,” as this issue of Premier
Guitar is proud to celebrate with our inspirational articles of personal tone
and chops enrichment – never forget to include yourself as a shareable
resource.
If you can dream it, you can live it. Life is short, play more guitar.
Nuff sed.
Trent Salter, Publisher
trent@premierguitar.com
888.247.2009
editoriaL
Managing Editor Adam Moore adam@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Senior Editor James Egolf james@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Web Content Editor Joe Coffey joe@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Rebecca Dirks rebecca@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Chris Kies chris@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Assistant Editor Brittany Hogendorn brittany@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
production
Creative Director Benjamin Otis ben@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Production Coordinator Shannon Britcher shannon@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
Circulation Manager Lois Stodola lois@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
contributing photographerS
Wayne Dennon
Ben Otis
adVertiSing
Senior Account
Executive BrettPetrusek brett@premierguitar.com 612-869-3967
Account Executive Jeannie Rossow jeannie@premierguitar.com 515-574-2210
Director, Retail
Sales & Service Dave Westin dave@premierguitar.com 800-574-7333
Marketing
Director Of Marketing Shelby Kraus shelby@premierguitar.com 877-704-GEAR (4327)
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