I just wanted to let our fans know that I had a bit of a sad day yesterday.  In March of this year I was able to go back to O’Neill, Nebraska and have some fun at the St. Pats celebration.  Our band has actually played those shows 10 years in a row dating back to 1996 or so but it was cool to be there and just enjoy some beers and good times and not have to perform!  I was in line awaiting a drink when this younger guy approached me and said what a big fan he was of the band and he wished we were playing!  He gave me a big hug and then started crying…………I couldn’t believe it!

I asked him what was wrong and he went on to tell me that his brother had died not long before in Iraq……..my heart just sank! I didn’t understand why he was telling me all this at first because I didn’t even know the guy.  Turns out, he and his brother used to come to every show that we played in that area, and I said come on man, not all of them? He said yeah, we were, and still are big fans and wished the band played more shows out there!

The stories went on, he was still crying, and I was just taking it all in.  He told me the absolute best times he had with his brother were when they knew Mr. Hand was coming back to their area for a show!  Again, I said come on, yeah right!  He told me with such an honest face that it was the truth and that those times road tripping to the shows, hanging out and singing along with us meant more to him and his brother than I could ever imagine.  I was speechless!

He then took off the black OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS rubber wrist band he had been wearing since the day his brother died and gave it to me.  I didn’t want to accept it but he insisted.  Now, we both had tears in our eyes.  He wanted me to have it to show me how much Mr. Hand meant to him and his brother.  I told him I would never, ever take it off!

I wore that wrist band, and never took it off up until last night when it broke unexpectedly.  I felt so bad, but I made sure I took it home and put it in a safe place.  I know how much our band meant to these two brothers, and I can’t tell you how much his story meant to me, it’s absolutely priceless!  It just goes to show how much something you may think is insignificant can mean to someone else and the memories it can create.  I don’t remember this guy’s name or his brother’s, but I’ll never forget the words he spoke to me and the memory he created for my life!

I watched an interesting UStream video from Line 6 today announcing their new Spider IV amp. They went over the specs and updates from previous models of the Spider amps. Sounds like it could be a kickin little amp!

Those of you that know me know that I use a Line 6 POD X3 Pro in my rig to help me get the variety of sounds I need when we play. So, I’m always curious to see new products and developments from Line 6.

One of the early complaints of Line 6 products was that they couldn’t emulate the feel of the tube amps they were simulating. But as with most technology-based products, subsequent versions of the product improve on their limitations. So far this appears to be the case with Line 6. I know that I’ve been pretty happy with the sounds that I’m able to get out of my POD X3 Pro.

I’m definitely very curious to try out one of these new Spiders. They look like they could be good practice amps as well as good gigging amps. And if they’re anything close to the hype, this amp might be a big seller for those players who are just starting out, weekend warriors (like me), all the way up to pro players.

Have you played one? What do you think?

Les Paul gave the music world so much. As music fans and musicians we should all be grateful for his innovations and contributions. RIP

Guitar, studio wizard Les Paul dies at 94

Some friends of ours need your help! Their 11 year old son, Cal, has entered a contest to win Slash’s Les Paul guitar and has made it to the final 10!

Here’s where he needs your help. Visit the contest site and vote “Thumbs Up” for Cal’s video. His video is the 4th one down on the page and titled “Gimme That Cool Slash Les Paul.” You can also view his video on YouTube, but you can only vote on the contest site.

One more thing, by voting for Cal’s video you can be entered to win an Epiphone Slash Les Paul Standard Plus Top! You can vote as many times as you like before April 30th and each time you do is an additional entry to win the Epiphone guitar. So not only can you help Cal, but you have a chance to win too!

Good luck!