The Glebe Amherst, VA

This beautiful house was the property of an English Church. The bricks used to build it were first, piled up to ballast boats arriving from England and transporting English settlers. Let me tell you it took a while build this wonderful house. The glebe would be worked by peasants on a regular basis, each one most likely working the glebe instead of the demesne once or twice a month.
It’s now owned by two charismatic New Yorkers, Ned -a lawyer, and Lynn, event producers who tours around the world. They now organize concerts and are involved in the Amherst cultural life.

Calm and offering a gorgeous scenery, the Glebe is also a “Bed and Breakfast”. You will visit the African goats and a nice, lush garden. Every year I use to play there but, because of water damages, the recital has been moved to the Museum…

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Tags: Amhers, Church, Concerts, Culture, English, events, Glebe, Virginia

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

The Pink Cadillac Diner

Thursday June 25th at 2:00 PM
The Pink Cadillac Diner
4347 S Lee Hwy
Natural Bridge, VA 24578-3571
(540) 291-2378
www.pinkcadillacdineronline.com

Let me tell you after the walk we needed to eat something consistant. I just asked to Shania ~ who provides information on Natural Bridge trail ~ where to have a good diner close by and she indicated “The Pink Cadillac”. That is a fun place to go!

The restaurant is desing like in diner from the 50th’s and, as I stept in, it was like being in a movie! Old posters and ads cover the walls, but also old gas pump and scopitones!!! Of course I ordered a “Fabulous Elvis’ Burger” and that really rocks!

A few pics to give you the ambiance. The French Fries were really tasty… but are still not from France. It’s super late and the day has been busy, tomorrow I got to teach a class and give a performance before leaving for Amherst where two concerts are set up!!!! Bed time… I’ll tell you later why French Fried are not French.

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Tags: 50th's, burger, diner, Elvis, James Dean, Marily, Natural Bridge, The Pink Cadillac, Virginia

Natural Bridge

Thursday June 25th at 10:00 AM

After the radio show, Len & Barbara picked me up and I had the good surprise to see my friend Linda. They took me to visit Natural Bridge.
The Bridge has been included in several “Seven Natural Wonders of the World” lists, mostly in the 19th and early 20th centuries.Natural Bridge and Niagara Falls were the two wonders of the new world that Europeans visited during the 18th & 19th centuries. Of the two sights, Natural Bridge, without clear explanation of its formation, was the more mysterious.

A very long time ago:  Natural Bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed and left the span that stands today.
A long time ago:  Monacan Indian legend has it that Natural Bridge appeared just as they needed to escape from an advancing enemy.
In 1750:  Young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site for Lord Fairfax. Landmarks remain of the work and on the wall of the bridge where he carved his initials.
In 1754:  Just before the American Revolution and writing of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson purchased 157 acres of land including the Natural Bridge from King George III of England for 20 shillings. It has remained privately owned.
Late 1700’s:  Its development as a retreat began when Jefferson built a two room log cabin – one room was reserved for guests.
Early 1800’s:  In 1833, Jefferson’s heirs sold the site and the new owner erected the Forest Inn to accommodate the increasing number of people.
Late 1800’s:  During the 1880’s Natural Bridge attained resort status under the ownership of Colonel Henry Parsons.
Early 1900’s to now:  Natural Bridge continues to welcome visitors from all over the world.

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Tags: en route, Indian, Jefferson, Lace Waterfalls, Lost River, Monacan, Natural Bridge, Virginia

Radio show on WLNI

Thursday June 25th at 9:00 AM
Radio show on LMI
http://www.wlni.com/

that has been a great day! First Brian and Mari hosted me on their morning show: The Morningline 
Here is a nice team of professionals!

I was there to promote the Altavista, VA, concert:
Friday June 26th at 7:00PM
St Peter’s Episcopal Church
1010 Broad St
Altavista, VA 24517
but also to promote a fundraising for Frannie’s House, a shelter for women victims of domestic violence. The goal is to raise money to remodel a house in town and I am trying to have other associations involved, plus partnerships with companies… hopefully that will work. You can contact me for more info.
You can listen to the show:
Click to listen “live” to The Morningline
Link to newspaper article:
http://www.newsadvance.com/lna/lifestyles/faith_values/article/religion_notes_french_guitarist_to_play_in_altavista/16804/

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Tags: Altavista, article, Concert, Frannie's house, fundraising, Lynchburg, master class, news, newspaper, radio, Virginia, WLNI

Driving VA: to Barb & Len

Hi there!
Driving in Virginia is a real pleasure. Everything is so green and the hilly sceneries. Some places look like a fairy tale.

Now, I stay with my dear friends Len and Barbara. In Altavista. They are more than friends, an extension of my family! They come to spend vacation at my house, we do gardening with Barb – she has a fantastic garden.

But all started when we me upstate New York where I was performing seven years ago. I happened we where at the same hotel, and we got breakfast and good time together.

Barb & Len came to my first performance at Carnegie Hall and stayed with me at Wellington. We went to look at Christmas displays together (my concert was in December) restaurants… and started a friendship.
At that time they were living in CT and I saw them many times when performing in NY or around.

What a surprise when they bought a house in Altavista, VA. Thus, each year when I play in VA, I stay with them and Len goes to all the shows with me.
But, let’s ring at their door and see their faces as they open the door!

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Tags: driving, friends, travel, Virginia

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