Author Archives: sixstrstories

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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.

August Music, So Far

One of the best parts of summer here in Southeastern New Hampshire is the Prescott Park Arts Festival. Prescott Park is located between Portsmouth Harbor and the historic Strawbery Banke Museum district in downtown Portsmouth. Every year since 1974 the … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: A Jazz Guitarist Was Born

A Jazz guitarist was born on this day, July 31, in 1931. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, this Jazz guitarist started to play at the age of 12. He was inspired to play guitar, instead of tenor sax (his … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Charlie Christian

Jazz musician & electric guitarist Charlie Christian was born on this day, July 29, in 1916 in Bonham, Texas. Charlie became a member of the Benny Goodman Quintet on August 16, 1939. Through his resultant 23-month career that included recordings, … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Steve Goodman

Some of the most fun songs that I’ve ever played and sung I learned from the recordings of Steve Goodman. On his 1972 album, Somebody Else’s Troubles, Steve lists the song as “The Vegetable Song (The Barnyard Dance).” The song’s … Continue reading

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a sixstr stories “interview”

Today, we’re talking with Alan Lomax. Mr. Lomax is the founder of The Association for Cultural Equity and former Assistant in Charge of the Archive of Folk Song of the Library of Congress. He is a highly respected folklorist, ethnomusicologist … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Woody Guthrie – Take 2

When he was born, he was the third child of Nora Belle Sherman Guthrie. Nora, 24, soon started singing to her newborn son and as she had with her other children – 8-year-old Clara and 6-year-old Lee Roy – filled his childhood … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Paul Met John

Of all the historic days in music that I have celebrated in this blog, few, in my mind, are of a level of significance equal to that of this day. 55 years ago, on Saturday, July 6, 1957, 16-year-old John Lennon and … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Mississippi John Hurt

This is my third post celebrating the anniversary of the birthday of Mississippi John Hurt. Last year, in my post of July 3, 2011, I included a link to a video of John playing and singing “You Got To Walk … Continue reading

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This Historic Day In Music: Big Bill Broonzy

I don’t remember when or where I first heard or read it, but Big Bill Broonzy is a name you don’t forget. Big Bill Broonzy played guitar and sang the Blues. Big Bill’s recording career started in November of 1927. He … Continue reading

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“Friday Night”

Many years ago, I had a gig playing Friday nights at the Loaf & Ladle Restaurant on Water Street in downtown Exeter, NH. After the first year or so, I decided that I needed some kind of “theme song.” This is … Continue reading

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