Update: August 29, 2007

Well, the CDJ tour wrapped with a rippin' acoustic trio set opening for Martina McBride at the Illinois State Fair.  All I can say is it was a great summer and that was the perfect show to cap the tour.  What a great time...  Thanks to CDJ, the band and various Tour Managers along for the ride.  

In more cool news, new dates have been added with Jamie O'Neal in the month of September.  I'm really looking forward to the shows - a stripped down 4-piece group so there will be a lot of guitar a'happenin'!   

In even MORE cool news, I've become involved with Groove Tubes!  They're in all my personal amps and I love 'em!!  Roadworthy and reliable!  Check them out - just may be the silver bullet for your tone ills!

There are a couple studio and group projects in the works in the KC area.  More to be posted as developments arise.

Update: July 26, 2007

Back home again for a while.  Summer touring has been, if anything, an adventure.  Visit the myspace site and check the blogs for the most recent installments.

More big news, I have recently become an endorsee for Xotic Effects and G&L Guitars!!  I've been using the Xotic RC and BB as staples on the pedal board for some time.  The RC is one of the best boost pedals out there - transparent with the ability to dial in a light sizzle gain to put some edge on the tone.  Great alone or to goose another drive pedal down the chain for some amazing lead tones!  Definitely a 'desert island' pedal.  The BB is by far the best gain pedal I've used to date.  'Nuff said.  The fine folks at Xotic recently sent me an AC and I'm loving it.  Can't wait to try their new line of dual drive style pedals. 

Much the same as Xotic, I've been using G&L ASATs and S-500s for a couple years now as my main touring guitars.  Amazing, hand built instruments with some of the best fit/finish available.  And, they are SO durable - try throwing your guitars in a gig bag for a hand-check at the plane and have them come out smelling like a rose!  I love how they play and sound.  And, I'm happy to be working with them!  With Spirit Musical's fine semi-hollow/hollow body instruments and G&L's electrics I'm in tone heaven!!

And, while we're talking gear, I've gotta give Robert Keeley more praise.  I've been using Keeley's pedals now for around 5 years (see the Gear page for a list) and they've been outstanding standing behind their products - even when the failures haven't had anything to do with their product (i.e. flight inspectors slamming ATA lids down incorrectly and snapping off pedal controls or input jacks).  I love those guys.  And, on a side note, everyone needs a Nova Wah!

Am back to writing and hope to get something actually recorded beyond a scratch pad...keep checking back for updates!

Update: June 25, 2007

Just returned from a run through the midwest including a show at the Country Stampede in Manhattan, KS.  Was nice playing for the 'home crowd'.

Big news, have become an endorsee for GHS Strings!  Very excited to be working with a company maintaining such a longstanding reputation for product quality and breadth.  GHS has string offerings for every instrument I play AND in hard to find mixed or in-between gauges.  Very excited indeed!

Shows with Carolyn Dawn Johnson have been enjoyable.  Great band, lots of fun material and some really great fans.  Folks have been going out of their way to make everyone feel at home. 

Update on her album, product won't be available in the US through retail channels until early fall.  It is, however, available for sale at her website  www.cdj.com.  

Update: April 20, 2007

Man, can a website get dusty out here in cyber world.  Guess this became a cobwebsite the past few months.  There's been some excitement in the past couple months so it's about time to knock the dirt off these pages and get busy.

Cory Ryan and the original Special Blend knocked out a great show in Lawrence, KS at the Granada.  2 great groups kicked off the night.  The event, organized by the KU Marketing Club, was quite a success.  I'm impressed with the Granada - great sound system and a fun room.  Great crowd too, just have to love playing college towns!

The same backing band recently went into the studio with another KC songwriter and knocked out some great tracking for an upcoming country release by Jeremy Esteb.  Advance copies of the CD should be available by the 5/5 show.  It's a great disc!  This guy keeps his lights lit playing shows so pay the cover, buy a couple CDs for friends and support your local live music!! 

In the land of really cool news, I will be touring with Carolyn Dawn Johnson starting May 6.  Can't express how excited I am to be working with CDJ.  The new album, Love & Negotiation, is now available stateside with the first single in the US being dropped on country radio I believe on 4/18.  Song's titled "Got A Good Day".  Call your local/area radio station and start requesting!! I'll try to be a bit more diligent keeping the schedule current.  But, a quick pop out to www.cdj.com will get you up to speed.

Keep watching the site - promise to be better about updates!  Really, I do.  Really...

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