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2003 Winter NAMM Show
Our own exhibit had a smooth sound system plus sub-woofer under the table provided by Bag End, and spirited performances all day every day by Steve, Bob, Greg, Don (NS/Stick and MacRack), Kevin and me. Many new faces were attracted to The Stick this year, trying out models through headphones and buying CDs and videos. I'd like to express my thanks to the above Stick artists and manufacturer/suppliers for making the show a success for us. Of substantial help throughout the show was Vance as usual, Chris Browne of Illinois and Jim Reilly of BC. They helped set up our SE booth, and along with Steve, Bob, Greg, Don and Tom, formed a professional and inspiring team of Stickists to convey essential Stick knowledge and materials to the many newcomers at our booth. I was planning four new models for our exhibit, two of which came through in time for the show, including two new extended 36" scale, 7-piece rosewood laminate 10-string Sticks as part of a production of 20, and a new graphite Grand Stick from our first production of 12 with Moses. I hope soon to announce the other two models with photos and descriptions after I've tested and proven the prototypes. Of course, none of the newer models would have been ready in time for the show without daughter Grace's midnight hours spent in assembly and set up of the prototypes, over and above her usual work managing Stick production. Thanks Grace, for critical work during the last minute rush. Thanks also to Chuck Ivy, brother Dan and to Manny for their support and presence at our show and their photos of "Stick Night 2003". All Stick Night performances at Molly Malone's were strong and focused, despite the exhaustion of first day's NAMM activities and booth setup the previous day. Greg was full on, raining rhythmic reciprocals from the ramparts of every Rail. My personal thanks to Jim for his historical presentation of pre-recorded interviews with Tony and brother Dan, including an audio track of my What's My Line appearance in 1974, all the while "scored" live by Jim on stage using my graphite 10-string Stick. It was a tribute to Yuta's and my many years of work as well as a total surprise to me. I didn't hear all the performances that night, but came away with some great memories. Kevin's performance was visually graceful and entertaining, not to mention the precision and drive of the grooves he laid down. Don seems to be expanding the role of his MacRack, but plays so many expressive parts over the top that it's still him, his artistic individuality coming around again in more complete form - a live studio production that can take off in any direction at any moment. He's also expanding his on-stage dialogue with the machines, coaxing them into submission and the audience into laughter. Tom Played a compositionally lean and tight set with his drummer Darren DeBree of their group "Agent 22", and between the two of them created some intriguing new sonics and transparent textures. Tom has discovered a powerful and expressive Oriental horn like voice for his leads. It sounds smooth like MIDI but he says it's merely audio processed with a hint of distortion. Steve played a very physical jazz set with Tom's drummer Darren, and romped through several standards using all manner of inventive sub-techniques - dynamic duo interplay, fun to watch, making jazz Stick look easy. Bob's performance was intense and concentrated, bringing a hush to the audience as he expanded his powerful solos in an evocative classical guitar style - sitting down, mono mode, minimum means (twelve strings), no effects, just the magic. Apologies to Casey and Kira (Third Door Down), Vance and Micah for missing most or all of their performances. Others have already posted comment. I played my set with no effects and did what I like to do best, improvise harmonically as well as melodically within "song sandwiches" - a favorite theme front and back, expressed over an unusual chord arrangement, providing windows to harmonically related interludes of total improv. Most of all, I'd like to thank Greg for the extra days he put into organizing and scheduling Stick mini-concerts and demos at our suppliers' booths, creating graphics, posters and fliers for all NAMM related events, and organizing and hosting Stick Night. This year, Greg was able to immerse himself in all trade show related operations and still have enough in reserve for strong musical performances at all the above mentioned venues. It was quite a great event for Stickists and new initiates. I can only say thanks to the entire team that emerged to make it happen. Best, Emmett.
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