California… Here we come!

What is the coolest place on Earth to see all the new gears for musicos locos?
Where is the place to meet rockstars, sexy girls – houlalala! – have cool parties at night, jam with friends, have a perfect weather every day (huh, almost every day… last week wasn’t as good as usually…), play Alhambra Guitars… and go back home with tons of inspiration and projects?

The NAMM show in Los Angeles, of course! 

Model for Industry Growth

As always, I went directly from the plane to the NAMM without stopping at the hotel. The bed wouldn’t see me a lot for the next few days… Geoff was waiting for me and right away, as we get into the convention center, the thrill possessed me – and is not gone yet. Music everywhere! And people from all around the World, which is really cool!

Are you famous? That is funny… Tell me “where”.

You know what if cool too? When you do not know anything. Especially about people, if they are famous in their world or not. Then, you just meet the true person.
Two or three years ago I went to the library and it was incredibly packed! I picked up a few books and went to calm area where a tall, bulky black guy was seated at a table… doing nothing… just getting bored apparently and I sat down with him.
Born talker… well… I started the conversation with him. And he was a cool dude. We talked about the kids – ours, of course… – I asked about his life, and he shared with me his passion for football – not the real one, everywhere in the World they know real football is soccer, but that is another story – that he started playing football when he was very young in East Texas… became professional and all these things about his life.
I shared my snack with him – tall and fat as he was, nobody thought about feeding him… come on! - and we kept going on the chit-chat. All of sudden, the whole crowed from the other side arrived like just one man! Came revering my new buddy, asking for autograph, ask if I was a friend… This dude is a famous football player who came for a press conference and present a movie about his life.
I even cannot recall his name but only the fact that we crossed the boundaries because I did not know who he is. And I do not care about football anyway… and whether people are known or not. Just bring them to a different place and their fame is nothing… even the talent – try to play guitar for farmers in south east Laos… who do not give a damn… and you will grasp what I’m talking about.

Being Famous… is a new job.

You guys understand now that, being famous, is relative.  And, really, do you want to be an icon? Not having life anymore and pushed to become who the heck people think you are? Is that what you want? Everything you do being watched? And for what? You go to another country and nobody knows you… and if you go to Rain Forest you will realize the Yanomami Indians revered their shaman but do not give a damn about

A game for you

So, I got a game for you… I took a bunch of pics at NAMM – if you want to read about the new guitar you will have an article on my PhilBlog – therefore, look carefully at those SO KNOWN people and give me their name… if you have the complete list, I offer you… huh… my picture with an autograph… no, that sucks… huh…. a CD?… Some French Fries… By the way, we (zee french peepele – read people please) did not invented the French Fries, neither the French manicure… we call that American nails (no, no… this is the truth)… I will tell you where French Fries are from and will offer you a good recipe if you put a name under all the pictures… How cool is that, huh?  Okay, see you guys. And do not worry if you are not known, if you are not a “People-Magazine-type-of-person”, the ones who love you  know you, and you can be real with them all the time.

Tags: alhambra guitars, business, california, eddie van halen, los angeles, music, namm show, sure, trade, yo yo ma

Burgers–NO WAY?– YES WAY

If French Fries are not French, burgers aren’t either. Proof is: you cannot find any good burgers in the country of  “Savoir Vivre” et “l’Amour”.

My First Good Burger — Yumm!

Years ago — like a real long time ago — I was touring in California and took the boat from San Francisco to Sausalito… Ah, that was really nice trip by boat.
Arrived at lunch time, my nose started to thrill as I was walking on Bridgeway. This joint right on the street was grilling juicy, nice, thick – just rigth thick – patties… I ordered a burger and, since this blessed day, I test – and taste – all the possible burgers…

M&O Station Grill: A drooling shock!

After visiting new galleries, my friend Cecil Touchon - no, he’s not French either…- started to look for a place to eat. No, to have an experience rather than just feeling up our stomach. All started with the smell… Mmmmmm…. it was the prelude to wonderful time. While waiting for my order – “The California” (in memoriam) –  I started to look around. And, being from France, this place gave me the feeling to be projected into a movie. Just a great Americana Diner kind of place. Event the restooms look cool! Seriously. And the chef takes time to toast your buns… and to REALLY cut potatoes to make you  French Fries, or sweet potatoes. You get the point:
- the owners, Dany and Rosa Badillo, aim for quality.

No wonder the place started to be packed as we stepped out to enjoy our burgers on the patio. Because they also have a patio.

Why M&O?

That’s “M” for Marvin and “O” for Obie as in the Leonard brothers, well known for that Fort Worth icon, Leonard’s Department Store. The restaurant adjoins the Leonard’s Department Store Museum. Inside the restaurant a door will take you to Fort Worth History. Dany very kindly took me into the Leonard’s Museum and, like a kid, I listened to him telling the Fort Worth History. It’s from Dany that I learned Fort Worth had a metro before. Pictures are inside the museum… and the tools used at the time. Not just a lunch, but an experience beyond what we where looking for. Before Cecil and I left the place, we get a warm double chocolate brownie… just for the road

Because, I will tell you folks, when it’s good, you do not feel “full” – is that a great feeling by the way? – you are satisfied… happy… a smile on your face. Rosa and Daniel can give you this type of feeling. And, if you go there on my behalf, Rosa will tell you why the French Fries… are not French. 

 

 200 Carroll Street #110
Fort Worth – TX
(817) 882-8020