Making Music

One of my many lapsed enthusiasms is music - specifically guitar music. Preferably electric, loud, and as bluesy as possible while still 'rockin'. But acoustic is good too, more accessible, and arguably less irritating to the neighbors.

Once upon a time I played a lot, and dabbled with home recording. I had big plans, inspired by the Grunge movement of the early 90's.

There were only two flies in the ointment: first, I didn't really have the time, given a growing family and a demanding job; second, and arguably more important, I had/have no talent. Zero, nada, zilch. I can strum a passable 'D', 'C', and 'G' progression, and run a few blues-rock scales, but there it ends.

My lack of persistence saved the world (or at least my family and friends) from an aural disaster of biblical proportions.

I am not alone. There are literally millions of misguided souls who think they can make good music (or at least be rock stars) playing guitar in a band. If there weren't Guitar Center would go bust overnight. Visit any of that chain's locations on a weekend afternoon and listen to the cacophony of jammin' wannabes, if you need (painful) physical proof.

But, luckily for all of us who truly love music and the guitar, there are a few talented souls out there we can live vicariously through.

One of these talented types is an LA guy named Jim Vitale. For a young gent he's been around for what seems like ages. I first met him when he was a doorman at the late, lamented Highland Grounds, where he would occasionally sit in on open mic nights. His music was rough, a bit raw, but powerful and played with conviction.

For reasons known only to Jim, though, he stopped playing at HG, and I didn't hear him play a note on stage for years. I say on stage because he would always oblige with a tasty riff played on someone else's axe, out in HGs spacious patio.

That's how it went for a few years until Jim, out of the blue, released a CD of music titled 'Echo Waiting' featuring the tune 'Aztec Garage' by his band called the 'New Vistas'. I say band, but Jim sang and played most of the instruments, including some amazing guitar. I guess he must have been off in the woodshed, ala Clapton, or maybe he visited the crossroads, I don't know, but his playing had improved amazingly.

Jim also began playing with a local band called 'With a Bible and a Gun', playing Johnny Cash covers. I am not a huge fan of all the Man in Black's hits, but Jim's telecaster playing was spot-on and made it all worth hearing.

Not long after that, Jim did me the favor of giving my son some guitar lessons. Jim's not a teacher by trade, but my son learned a great deal and something in those lessons must have inspired because my son is now a 'real' guitarist. He's even playing out at open mics now, making his Dad proud (and not a little bit green with envy).

Which brings us to the present. Jim Vitale is working on a new CD project, and he's using KickStart to fund it. If you haven't heard about KickStart, it's a site that allows you to take pledges from supporters. If you reach a certain goal, the project gets funded, if not, it doesn't. Jim's just a little past halfway there, with only 4 days to go.

I've contributed, and if any of you who might be reading this like music made on an electric guitar, check out Jim's kickstart site and see if you want to help. If you can't, then get out and support your local live music scene. At least remember to tip that busker playing Hendrix through a worn-out pignose next time you pass him on the street, OK?