Author Archives: sixstrstories

About sixstrstories

I am the son and only child of a registered nurse & a self-employed collector of wildflowers. I went on to become: a Beatles’ fan; a record collector; a drummer; a music magazine subscriber; a guitar player; a songwriter; a high school graduate; a college student; a music major; a performing singer/guitarist; a photography student; a yearbook photographer; a student teacher; a boyfriend; a letter writer; a college graduate; an elementary school music teacher; an apartment dweller; a husband; a guitar teacher/independent contractor; a homeowner; an independent music producer; the father of a daughter; the father of a son; a bandmate; a teacher of the history of popular music in America; an instructor of music/adjunct faculty member; a grandfather (x3); a condo dweller; and a blogger.

Three Guitars

Posted on August 13, 2019 by sixstrstories

This summer, the featured exhibit at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, New Hampshire is titled Medieval to Metal: The Art and Evolution of the Guitar. Medieval to Metal is a traveling exhibit curated and produced by the National GUITAR … Continue reading →

Posted in Random Topics | Tagged Currier Museum of Art, EKO, EKO 700 Guitar, Goya 80, Hagstrom, Hagstrom Standard 80, JMI, JMI Mark VI, JMI Teardrop Guitar, Medieval to Metal, National GUITAR Museum | 5 Comments

The Ballad of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

Posted on August 7, 2019 by sixstrstories

Verse 1 The melody came first. Published in Paris, in 1761. It was titled “Ah! Vous Dirai-Je, Maman.” (“Oh! Shall I Tell You, Mummy”) from a collection called Les Amusements dune Heure et Demy. Verse 2 Then the words. From a … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Audio, The Ballad Series | Tagged Ah! Vous Dirai-Je Maman, Jane Taylor, Ludwig van Beethoven, Rhymes For The Nursery, The Singing Master, The Star, Twelve Variations on Ah! Vous Dirai-Je Maman, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, William Edward Hickson, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | 3 Comments

Sparklers: “Rollin’ Blues” by Lowell Fulson

Posted on August 3, 2019 by sixstrstories

This is the fourth installment of this category featuring recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances. Ladies and gentlemen! Let me introduce to you… “Rollin’ Blues” by Lowell Fulson. Give a listen. (You’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, Sparklers | Tagged America's Musical Roots, Festival Records, Jim Pewter, Lowell Fulson, Rick Donovan, Rollin' Blues, University of New Hampshire Bookstore | 2 Comments

This Historic Day In Music: Tommy Gallant (Take 2)

Posted on July 14, 2019 by sixstrstories

I’ve been getting together with some old friends and colleagues lately; catching up, reminiscing. Got me thinking about… “Bonjour,” he’d say, with a little chuckle and a smile. Tommy Gallant always brought a smile. “Bonjour,” as I remember it, was the punch … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Audio, This Historic Day In Music | Tagged Danny Boy, Gaylord Russell, Jazz at the Pilot House, Jim Howe, Les Harris Jr., The Pilot House Blues, The Press Room, The Tommy Gallant All-Stars, The Tommy Gallant Trio, Tommy Gallant, Tommy Gallant Jazz Festival | 8 Comments

The Ticonderoga & The New Orleans Hop Scop Blues

Posted on June 26, 2019 by sixstrstories

The Shelburne Museum is located at 6000 Shelburne Road in Shelburne, Vermont. Spread across the 45 acres of the museum’s grounds are 39 buildings housing a world-renowned collection of art and Americana numbering over 100,000 items. There are also 22 … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, Random Topics | Tagged Black Recording Artists 1877-1926, Clarence Williams, Clarence Williams' Blue Five, Craig Martin Gibbs, Deppe's Serenaders, Earl Hines, Fannie May Goosby, Gennett Records, George Washington Thomas Jr., Lake Champlain, New Orleans Hop Scop Blues, OKeh Records, Pathe Records, Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Vermont, Sidney Bechet, Steamboat Ticonderoga, Tudie Wells, Vermont | Leave a comment

This Historic Day In Music: “Like A Rolling Stone”

Posted on June 16, 2019 by sixstrstories

Bob Dylan started recording songs for his sixth album on Tuesday, June 15, 1965. The session was held in Columbia Records’ Studio A, located at 799 Seventh Avenue in New York City. Tom Wilson was the producer and the band … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, This Historic Day In Music | Tagged Al Kooper, Bob Dylan, Bobby Gregg, Bruce Langhorne, Columbia Records, Columbia Records Studio A, Greil Marcus, Joe Macho Jr, Like A Rolling Stone, Mike Bloomfield, Paul Griffin, Tom Wilson | 5 Comments

Finding Covers – “Ain’t Misbehavin’”

Posted on June 2, 2019 by sixstrstories

The first time I heard and saw Leon Redbone sing and play his guitar was late at night on Saturday, February 28, 1976. Leon was the musical guest on that evening’s episode of Saturday Night Live. (It was the 15th … Continue reading →

Posted in Finding Covers, Posts with Video | Tagged Ain't Misbehavin', Andy Razar, Harry Brooks, Joe Venuti, Leon Redbone, On The Track, Saturday Night Live, Thomas "Fats" Waller | 2 Comments

Some Kind Of Smelling Salts: “Fire In The Engine Room”

Posted on May 29, 2019 by sixstrstories

Some Kind Of Smelling Salts features songs from my personal playlist of musical stimulants and audio caffeine delivery systems; a distinct selection of creations and performances that I find to be deliciously intoxicating, undeniably invigorating and unapologetically addictive. Listening not … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, Some Kind Of Smelling Salts | Tagged Across A Crowded Room, Fire In The Engine Room, Frank Turner, Joe Boyd, Polydor Records, Recovery, Richard Thopmson | 2 Comments

Boogie Woogie: A twohundredandthirtystr story

Posted on April 28, 2019 by sixstrstories

Boogie – (from: Merriam-Webster.com) verb: 1) to dance to Rock music, also: revel, party. 2) to move quickly. noun: 1) boogie-woogie. 2) earthy and strongly rhythmic rock music conducive to dancing. Boogie Woogie – (from: Harvard Dictionary of Music) Originally, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, Random Topics | Tagged Boogie, Boogie Woogie, Brunswick Records, Clarence Smith, Document Records, Mike Rowe, Music, Piano Music, Pine Top Smith, Pine Top's Boogie Woogie, Rock, Rolling Stone, SLS, Song Lyric Sunday, Vocalion Records | 12 Comments

Sparklers: “Easter And The Sargasso Sea” by Leo Kottke

Posted on April 21, 2019 by sixstrstories

This is the third installment of my next-to-newest category here at sixstr stories. It features recordings of outstanding performances by noteworthy guitarists – or outstanding guitarists giving noteworthy performances. So, ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce to you… “Easter And … Continue reading →

Posted in Posts with Video, Sparklers | Tagged Acoustic Fingerstyle Guitar, Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals, Circle 'Round The Sun, Easter and the Sargasso Sea, Leo Kottke | 6 Comments