News Archive - 2006

December, 2006

As the year draws to an end, last minute events pop up and future plans are mapped out, projects move from concepts to realities, and tour dates are added to include new regions. Richard Gilewitz’s tour schedule this month is filled with a weeklong school program in Rock Springs, Wyoming, as well as concerts and clinics in Washington. A one-day Mini GillaCamp is scheduled for Saturday, December 9, hosted by Moore Brothers Music in Sammamish, Washington. It’s a scaled down version of the three-day GillaCamp, which will be offered in 2007 in Florida, Kansas, and Ohio. It’s never too late to sign up and reserve your spot for an experience of a lifetime. The 2006 New Zealand 2-day GillaCamp was a grand success and more on the camp will be soon posted on the GillaCamp page.

Richard’s affiliation with “Singer and Musician Magazine” will carry on as he has been asked to continue his article submissions on a regular basis. Look for upcoming articles on a variety of subjects that will be of interest to every singer, musician, and fan.

New projects on the horizon include a live concert DVD, a seasonal CD, an instructional guitar book, and of course more concerts and workshops. Don’t miss out on events and breaking news by checking the website and tour date schedule frequently.

And for those last minute holiday presents, a gift of music is always appropriate for family, friends, co-workers, and for those folks we want to thank for the good service they have given us throughout the year.

November, 2006

Off to New Zealand

Richard Gilewitz will arrive in New Zealand November 8th to begin a rousing concert schedule filled with amazing chops, humor, and a taste of acoustic guitar from blues to folk, traditional to classical and somewhere in between. Ever changing performances continually keep audiences wondering if Gilewitz will exhaust his satchel of stories and tunes.

When asked about what's new for those who were entertained and delighted during his previous New Zealand appearances, Gilewitz responded accordingly, "One of my greatest nightmares is to do a show and hear the audience mumble, 'heard it, heard it, heard it...' over and over again. I can never quite keep track of what I said or did on the last tour from a year or more ago much less a night ago, but I can assure you that since I have been to New Zealand three things have happened:

1. Someone did something stupid.
2. I did something stupid.
3. Yes, I took notes.

"So, I'm ready to report in on more and possibly some repeat bizarre happenings in the world of music and travel. I also never want to feel like a stagnant barge so there is always a new tune in the repertoire, one pulled out of the attic, or a sinister twist on a supposed recognizable tune. Should be a fun time for all. How can you not be funny with three titanium screws in your neck?"

October, 2006

New DVD of Live Concert in the Works

Mel Bay Publications and Snapshotmusic.com have teamed up for the creation of a new DVD with Richard Gilewitz live in concert. Recorded at the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in Rockford, Illinois during the 2005 Charlotte's Web for the Performing Arts concert series, this DVD will feature the live concert and bonus tracks including the encore and outtakes.

Scheduled for release in 2007.

August, 2006

Those of you checking Richard's tour calendar may be wondering what happened to some of the tours and GillaCamps scheduled for late summer and early fall. It was to be a busy time for Richard and the promotion of his newest release, "Live at 2nd Street Theater" with tours slated for Ireland, Washington, and Wyoming.

Due to complications resulting from an automobile accident late last year, Richard underwent surgery August 23. Noted surgeon, Dr. James Joseph Ronzo, performed spinal fusion of several neck vertebrae to release the compression on Richard's spinal cord. At this time it is believed that the surgery was successful and the recovery time will require a minimum of eight weeks in an Aspen neck brace with lifting restrictions extending longer. Richard will then move into an intermediate brace, to be followed by a soft collar for support.

Richard has expressed his regrets to all who had planned to attend the concerts, festivals, workshops, and seminars that required cancellation as this development took on a grave priority. He sends his thanks for the continued support of his family, friends, fans, and sponsors and plans to hit the road, with limited appearances in the middle of October, followed by a full schedule in November and on into 2007. The updated schedule is available here.

July 7, 2006

Live at 2nd Street Theater Hits the Streets

ZenGator Productions announced today that GillaZilla Records has released Richard Gilewitz Live at 2nd Street Theater. Recorded during a live concert on August 20, 2005, at the 2nd Street Theater in Bend, Oregon, this newest CD is the result of fans asking for not only more music by Richard, but for a recording of his stories and live performances.

A look at the song titles will bring to mind familiar tunes that are often included in Richard's concert performances. However, interspersed among the songs is what makes this 46-minute CD live and kicking- those amusing and quirky stories that are always true! LIVE at 2nd Street Theater

The neck snap, throat capo tale relives the adventures of Florida's heavy metal air guitar champion, while "Walbert, Wigs, and Nope" leaves little room for doubt that Richard might belong to another planet!

And true to form, this latest project will not disappoint even those who have attended a number of Richard's concerts as once again there is always a surprise around each turn. This time joining Richard is Radim Zenkl, master mandolin player and fellow Breedlove Guitars clinician. Their combined efforts on "Minuet for the Backroads, "The Last Steam Engine Train", The Maison Blanche Exit Song", and "Study in Bm" delighted the crowd that magical evening in Oregon, and will give the listener countless reasons to put this CD in rotation!

Here's what folks are saying about Richard's performances…
"Richard Gilewitz is possibly one of the strangest men in acoustic music today. Much of the charm of a Gilewitz performance is in the stores he tells." Spectrum

"Similar to like-minded souls Jorma Kaukonen, John Fahey and Sandy Bull, Gilewitz's acoustic magic works best in a live setting." NASHVILLE

"Richard Gilewitz has found a superb balance of playing skilled techniques in a wide range of styles in a rousing own signature." Bridge Guitar Reviews

Live at 2nd Street Theater is available now from Richard's music store here at richardgilewitz.com and soon from CDBaby.com and Amazon.com.

Track List of songs and their composers. All songs performed by Richard Gilewitz
with Radim Zenkl joining in on four tracks.

1. Gove's Tune - Gove Scrivenor
2. Thumbsing - Richard Gilewitz
3. Neck Snap, Throat capo - Story by Richard Gilewitz
4. Mona Ray - Leo Kottke
5. The Maison Blanche Exit Song - Richard Gilewitz
6. Minuet for the Backroads - Gove Scrivenor
7. The Last Steam Engine Train - Traditional
8. Study in Bm - Fernando Sor
9. Walbert, Wigs, and Nope - Story by Richard Gilewitz
10. Echoing Gilewitz - Richard Gilewitz / Daughter of Pete's Feet - Richard Gilewitz
11. Most People are Dead - Story by Richard Gilewitz
12. Available Space - Ry Cooder
13. Synapse Collapse - Richard Gilewitz

June 2006

Among Richard's many talents there seems to be a natural gift of gab that transfers comfortably into the teaching arena. Never one to hide behind his knowledge and experience, Richard freely shares career-long insights at each "GillaCamp" that he spearheads throughout the USA and abroad. Upcoming August 4-6 at Sound City Music in historic downtown Troy, Ohio, GillaCamp OH 2006 will be a weekend of new topics, fingerstyle techniques, and a chance for participants to "pick" Richard's brain on a variety of subjects. Sign up for the GillaCamp in your area.

If you just can't make a GillaCamp, grab a copy of "Singer & Musician" for articles by Richard in the fingerstyle section. The April issue covers "the right hand engine and finding a song's home with the music of "Freight Train", while the June issue looks at composition, artistry, and finding the right riff with "Daughter of Pete's Feet". Upcoming articles will cover recording "Live at 2nd Street Theater", the latest GillaZilla Records CD by Richard - to be released July 2006.

Of course you can always discover the latest Gilewitz adventure on Mel Bay's webzine, which features a sneak preview about recording the new CD.

Past articles, interviews, and reviews are archived on Richard's site. Click on menu selection "Articles/Interviews". You'll find "Tales from the Road", live radio, and song transcriptions. Spend some time browsing the site as it is updated often.

May 2006

Audio-Technica Interviews Richard about Microphones, Music, and Muses

Those of you who are familiar with Richard's sound know that he won't settle for less than the best when performing. His preference in microphones is the Audio- Technica Artist Elite Series for his voice and his guitars. Read more about Richard's equipment choices and about his musical inspirations in an interview conducted by Gary Boss, Marketing Director of Audio-Technica.

Audio-Technica microphones can be seen regularly at the Grammy Awards, the CMT Music Awards, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, as well as in the studio with artists such as Billy Bob Thorton, Steve Vai, Mindi Abair, and Kenny Chesney.

www.audio-technica.com/cms/happenings/1d7c8208cdc2ec50/

April 2006

Singer & Musician Magazine Invites Richard to Write

Singer & Musician Magazine, formerly Singer Magazine, has invited Richard to join their monthly magazine as a contributing author. Richard's first article was published in their April issue and it runs over 3 pages. Titled "The Right Hand Engine & Finding a Song's Home", Richard talks about using a number of right hand finger positions to allow for freedom of movement when playing a piece. Read more about finding a song's home and take advantage of the tablature/notation of "Freight Train" contained in the article. Singer & Musician is available at bookstores, music shops, and on the web at www.singerandmusician.com. You'll want to catch the upcoming issue as Richard discusses making his new CD.

January 2006

Fingerpicking Guitar TunesNew DVD by Richard Gilewitz Released by Mel Bay Publications

Mel Bay Publications unveiled Richard's newest project at the 2006 Winter NAMM show in Anaheim, CA - the first of many upcoming instructional DVDs of popular tunes from Richard Gilewitz and GillaZilla Music.

"All-Time Favorite Fingerpicking Guitar Tunes, Volume One"
(MB21326DVD) contains six popular tunes demonstrated and taught by rote method. Recorded at the Renaissance Arts Center in Tampa, FL, this 102 minute DVD contains an array of tunes personally selected by Richard for their common nature involving folk, blues, or ragtime themes.

Set in a relaxed "living room chat" atmosphere, with Richard often adding extra comments while playing, this completely live DVD is made up of some of Richard's favorite selections that he has accumulated, arranged, and learned over the past 31 years that he has been playing fingerstyle acoustic guitar.

Now it's your turn to learn to play:

•  "Freight Train" by Elizabeth Cotton
•  "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie
•  "In Christ Their is No East or West" by Wm. Dunkerley and A. Reinagle
•  "Scarborough Fair" a Traditional Tune
•  "The Last Steam Engine Train" by John Fahey
•  "St. Louis Blues" by William C. Handy