My story?

Howdy Folks!

This morning I was about to answer to more emails about my story. Well, thank you! Actually y’all know that when we connect at a concert or clinic I always ask you the questions you are asking me

People’s life is so interesting and, I love learning from you guys. How you succeed, how you live, love, solve problems, what make you happy…  seeing this whole flow of life, all those infinite events surrounding, embedding us, make me feel melted in the World. All that is so beautiful! It is always a honor when people connect with me: so many are interesting!

But, okay, now the answers to your questions:

Was I a child prodigy? Am I from a family of musicians?
Actually not at all. Nobody in my family plays an instrument. It was really by chance I started to play guitar. Around my 13, I went to a shepperd workshop in Luc en Diois, Ardeche - South of France – one of the shepperd was playing guitar and taught me two chords: C Major and A minor. You only have to move one finger to create a completely different sound, mood and expression. That was, and still is, fascinating! 

My brother Jean Paul was in the military and use to come back home from time to time with a guy, Jacques who was playing guitar. Thus, on weekend I had my informal guitar lessons but the shock was a rainy Sunday afternoon. I turned on the TV and saw this black guy enjoying an up be-bop tune. As the camera zoomed out I could see this guy… was the guitarist playing and having a blast: Wes Montgomery! His hands were so big! It seemed motionless. The strings were poping and slapping on the fingerboard as he was passionately blasting the guitar with his thumb! Wes was not using a pick but the thumb. He composed a tune called the Thumb though.

The next day I went to many guitar stores enquiring about a guitar teacher playing like Wes… and I found one: Serge Donsey. When I arrived at his appartment, what a surprise! The door opened and a tall black guy opened!!! Serge is from les Antilles. We connected and he became my mentor. From him I learnt Classical, Brazilian music, and, of course, Jazz! The lessons were days long… Serge were showing me everything and I was absorbing like a sponge. No need to tell you, back home I was playing, playing and sleeping with my cheap Yamaha guitar… Serge is also so interesting; reading about science, philosophy, religions… he used to keep me for dinner he is a great cook) and we talked. One of the things I kept in my mind was:
“Be a specialist of the non-specialization”
We cannot climb like monkeys, run like horses or swim like dolphin… they are specialized… but, us, human beings, we can do a little bit of all that. What a fabulous skill in life! You can survive in any place!!! And survive to me was the word. My mom was single, Italian cooking in a restaurant and working two other jobs. We were living in a one bedroom apartment and it was a struggle for her to make it at the end of the month. Jean Paul, my brother who is seven years older than me, was taking care of me… I had to make my money to pay for lessons. The first place was at the Italian restaurant “La Gargotte” where, before school, I was cleaning fish, cut the french fries (I will tell you why they are not French) setting up tables, chopping bread… and get my weekly money to pay for my passion. I learnt the value of work, organization and to be fast and efficient.

Finally Serge get me ready to audition at the National Conservatory. I made it in and that was another world. My guitar teachers for classical were one of the best duet in the World: Ako Ito (you get she is from Japan.. ) and her husband Henri Dorigny. One day with Ako, the other with Henri. Both so different and complementary. Jacques Charpentier, one of the most famous composer, was my composition teacher and his classes were hours of creativity and passion. Deep culture and connecting the arts, history, philosophy… The great thing in my education was not to have music teachers but artists sharing with love and passion their knowledge.

 

The summer was always with one of the most unbelievable guitarists and man I met: Alexandre Lagoya. He formed with his wife Ida Presti the most prestigious guitar duet from history. When she died in 1967, he started teaching and a few years later, a solo career. Great character, passionate virtuoso… I always had complex about my cheap guitar… everybody had a Ramirez like the master. Classical is for rich people in Europe, for the elite, and we were poor… One morning after a jamming night with friends in the dormitory, I grabbed my guitar standing against the wall and ran to the lesson with Maestro Lagoya. As he wanted to demonstrate something, he took my guitar and, I realized this guitar was not mine… the sound was rich and loud, incredible dynamics… who’s guitar was that??? As he gave it back to me, I realized it was mine… but played by a master! Okay, you do not need to have a great guitar but to become a great musician. I decided to work more my intonation and have all the juice out of this piece of wood. Later, with the same guitar, I won the Arles International Guitar Competition. I was the youngest (17) and the reason I competed was the 1st prize: a guitar made by one of the world greatest luthier Paulino Bernabe, from Spain. I got it!!!

Gosh! that was like a dream!!! My brother still has my old Yamaha…
Therefore I started to book my first serious shows. I was a model at that time and working little jobs, and decided to become a performer. Thank you Internet, I do everything electronically now. At that time, I learnt typing and get my first typewriter to send letters with tape to everybody. Follow up with phone calls, riding buses to go to appointments and developed my career. Well, it cost a lot of my little money to get prospects, right? and huge amount of work. Therefore, I must have the show, I MUST. If they throw me away when I get in through the door…. I will come back through the window.

My ability on guitar?
Everybody is puzzled by my technique. I got a secret and share it with you today… seriously… are you ready? Okay, let’s go.
When I was a kid I was practicing up to 10 hours a day. 4 hours only technique in the morning and my repertoire in the afternoon… Yes, TEN HOURS. The first time I heard the flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucia, playing at a dazzling speed, like you see me doing nowadays, I could not sleep! My target was to play that fast… even faster!!! That’s why I came up with all my “new” techniques and share that with you. What you learned from me in a one hour clinic took me thousands of hours of practice, thinking, frustration… I got to be the best!

Now you know all the “how it started”> a few pics of where I was leaving and my influencial persons will complete the story.
Peace and Light to you. Thank you for being so interested in this human being playing on a piece of wood (but Alhambra LOL) and strings (but… D’Addario of course).
Guys, it’s such a daily honor to be connected with you, thank you! This is why I always answer emails and comment – more than I practice now! – it’s because of the gratitude I have toward you. YOU make me feel and understand everyday how this world is a beautiful creation, how amazing you are. For that, I give you all my best, at each second we spend together.
Love and Light to you…
AW! The French Fries subject!!!!! I got tons of mail about it… okay, next time now…

Philippe

Tags: alahmbra guitar, America, Brazil, d'addario, france, French Riviera, Nice, touring, travel

St. Peters Concert Altavista, VA

Friday June 26th at 7:00PM
St Peter’s Episcopal Church
1010 Broad St
Altavista, VA 24517
(434) 369-5291

Dear All:
It’s the third year in a row I play in Altavista, VA. As Barb & Len moved there a lot of their friends became my buddies too and we stayed in touch since my first visit.
Altavista is a nice small community in the Lynchburg area. The houses are beautiful and I enjoy taking evening walks all around. A lot of people stop and talk, very curious about who I am, my life and after a few days I met the whole neighborhood!
I’ve just gotten back from the concert, and it couldn’t have been any better!  The house was packed for the concert, but that was before an influx of late folks showed up and had to stand up the whole concert as they couldn’t find a seat.  We were “filled to capacity”, standing room only. 
Many of the people who had attended the “Master Classes” in Lynchburg came, as well. 
We had a nice buffet and “Merlot” at the intermission, and there were ample and delicious treats for everyone.
It was my friend Jewel’s birthday and instead of playing an “encore” I knocked off followed by the whole crowd “Happy Birthday to You”. She was blushing and moved to the tears as the whole audience was singing for her.

Her family was there to be part of it!
Thank you to Linda Ellis Williams, who came to thank everyone for their support.  She was well received, and, per usual, represented the “Y” graciously and well. Of course my Sweet Linda was close by and we had a great, great time!

Thank you guys, for a wonderful time; and, thank you to all who helped to make this the success it has been for the third time!

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Tags: alhambra, Altavista, America, blog, Church, classical guitar, d'addario, Frannie's house, fundraising, performances, planet waves, St Peters, touring, Virginia

Woodall’s Music Collinsville, VA

Tuesday June 23rd at 7:00PM
Woodall’s Music
2163 Virginia Ave
Collinsville, VA 24078
276-647-1973

That is another great music store!  The you dream to have in your neighborhood. Sandy is running the place for 18 years now and get really involved in the community. The store has a great selection of instruments but also all type of accessories for us musicians.

All type of strings for instance, which is really rare as people usually go for the basics only.  Sandy uses to organize clinics and a bunch of guitarists came to attend this short seminar I was giving. The “How Guitars are Made” is probably what catch people’s interest. The scalloped bracing and wood selection are really the appealing part of the clinc.

Showing you can play any style on nylon strings is a great surprise for everyone. Jazz to classical swinging by country music… all is possible.  The Alhambra guitars are so loud I can play without a PA system. The guys had a good time playing for hours!!!! after my concert.

And they started a guitar club right after. How cool is that ?
Back to Barb and Len to have French fries with burgers… Barb asking why French fries are not French, I got to tell her

Tomorrow I will me a dude from Ghana, Thomas Johnson – sounds american to me… – He arrived here with $20 and is a successful CEO of furniture compagny. I got to mee this guy, this is America!

Tags: alhambra, America, blog, classical guitar, Collinsville, d'addario, music store, performances, planet waves, touring, VA, Woodall's Music

Hayden Music Inc. Roanoke, VA

Hayden Music Inc
www.haydenmusic.net
4334 Electric Rd
Roanoke, VA

Hayden Music is a full line music store headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia. They proudly serve the musical needs of Virginians since 1978. Specializing in piano sales, they have grown to be the largest piano dealer in western and sale Alhambra Guitars now!

Mr. Hayden and Mark, who also play and teach guitar, are extremely friendly and very active in the development of the store by having the musical community involved. The proof is:
not one chair was left empty for the Alhambra Guitar Clinics.

The crowd has been composed of guitarist (ugh!) all fine pickers, jazzmen and classical players. After I presented how guitars are constructed, and played some of the models I had with me, some guitarists came on stage to show their incredible talent! Let me tell you: I have been impressed by the quality and the artistry of all those persons. They sang, played and jammed until late, showing their passion for music but, also, how they loved the Alhambra Guitars.

I had to ask Alhambra to send me more guitars as a lot were sold!!!

They have the project to develop a guitar club and invite guitarists to perform once a month. Do not hesitate to contact them:
haydenmusic@aol.com
Therefore you will have a new place to play in town and fall in love with the Alhambra Guitars.
I’ll be back there in October, after New York tour, to present D’Addario Strings and Planet Waves accessories.

Why French Fries are not French? Ah, yeah… I forgot to talk about it… next time, ’cause it’s too late now and I have to wake-up early and head to Collinsville.

Cheers and if you recognize you in the pics, let me know!

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Tags: alhambra, America, blog, classical guitar, d'addario, Hayden Music, performances, Piano store, planet waves, Roanoke, touring, VA, Virginia

Pick ‘n’ Grin Knoxville, TN

 Pick’n'Grin has been serving Knoxville and many surrounding counties since May of 1975.
It is one of the best places I visited and their guitar collection is amazing!
Also, they offer, on the top of a great customer service, music lesson with some of the finest guitar teachers.

Instruction has always been a major focal point for them and they have been blessed to have the best Instructors and facilities in the Southeast. They have 600 students of all ages taking private lessons each week!

The store was packed for the Alhambra Guitar Clinic and people passed a great time playing the guitars and learning about how guitars are made. A lot of the folks already possess an Alhambra (the teacher, Larry, has a Luthier Rio…) and the guitar world is very active there. Larry has an impressive collection of photos of different guitar players and know a lot of them personally. We spent a great time talking about guitar after the clinic and we will visit again soon!

Next time I will tell you why French Fries are not French but for now I have to get some rest before going to Hayden Music in Roanoke, VA.

Night-night…

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Tags: alhambra, America, blog, classical guitar, d'addario, Knoxville, performances, Pick ‘n’ Grin, planet waves, Tennessee, touring

Charles Myrtle Chattanooga, TN

Charles Myrtle’s
105 McBrien Road Chattanooga, TN 37411
Saturday June 20th at 7:30PM

It was great to go back to play at “Charles Myrtle’s“, one of the very first places I played in the US when I started American tours.
A lot of folks became my friends and, go back there after five years has been a blast!

I got to meet new people, visit with friends I haven’t seen in a while and spent the night at Karen’s fabulous house.

Andrew that I haven’t seen in a while introduced me to his beautiful new child Evangeline, a real angel!  Like always his cookies were delicious and I treated him with two tunes in DADGAD tuning. Andrew invited me to play for service at the Unity, and sharing the music and communion with everyone had been a blessing.

Karen hosted me for the night and she has a fabulous house with incredible character… wonderful evening catching up and nice breakfast before meeting the fellows at Unity.

It was short as I had to go to Knoxville for a clinic-concert at Pick’n'Grin… oh… do not get the time to tell you why French Fries are not French… but will do it soon!

Au revoir…

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Tags: alhambra, America, blog, Charles Myrtle, Chattanooga, classical guitar, d'addario, performances, planet waves, Tennessee, touring

French fries… are not French

Well, this is funny when you think about it:

• French fries… are not French (I’ll tell you why later)
• French manicure is labeled “American Nails” in France
• French dip has nothing French
• Cowboys wear “Wrangler” and I kept buying “Levis 501” thinking I got a “Cowboy Lookin’ “

… And for thoses reasons we have a strong attraction for each other cultures.

And that’s the reason I came here and live in Dallas.

To answer your questions (Why did you come here? France is so beautiful!) the American Dream slapped me in the face first time I came for a tour in California when I was 25 (42 now… depends if you read this post in 10 years from now…). People are cool, creative, everything is possible, all your dreams are about to come true. No, really! Look around you and at you:

• How many different jobs did you have?
• How many of your friends went back to school ? (not you because you spend to much time on internet)
• How many people you know around you want to achieve dreams and new goals…

This society is always moving and that creates a unique flow of energy attracting me… OK, let’s go to “What Happens in ze Life of A Frenchy in America… and I will tell you in the next post why French Fries are not French! Let’s go…

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Tags: alhambra, America, blog, classical guitar, clinics, d'addario, French fries, performances, planet waves, touring, travel, workshop