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Bill Kirchen Guitar Master Class

Stubblebine Lutherie
Somerville, MA

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Bill Kirchen Guitar Master Class

Guitarist, singer and songwriter Bill Kirchen first gained national recognition as a founding member of Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen. His trademark guitar lick drove their Hot Rod Lincoln cut into the Top Ten in 1972. He has released a dozen CDs on his own, and recorded and/or played guitar live with a who's who of Americana and Roots Rock 'N' Roll, among them Gene Vincent, Link Wray, Bo Diddley, Emmylou Harris, Maria Muldaur, Dan Hicks, Nick Lowe and Elvis Costello.

Bill's workshops trace his playing from it's roots in acoustic folk and blues, on through the country electric styles of the 50s and 60s, to the rock 'n' roll of Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry up through punkers' and new wavers' rock guitar. We will deconstruct and demystify some of his signature licks, and learn the Hot Rod Lincoln lead. We'll look at several strategies for finding one's sonic place in a song with rhythm guitar, and examine techniques for constructing original lead lines while still honoring the melody. There will be pointers for singing and playing at the same time, and what workshop would be complete without a generous sprinkling of licks and tricks.

All this plus a few tales from the road, where Bill has had the good fortune to cross paths and guitars with some very colorful and interesting characters.

Review:
A joyous showing from impeccable and near-legendary guitarist Bill Kirchen Kirchen displays a zest in his playing that is unmistakable and, all these years later, near-impossible to duplicate. A musical treasure, a fantastic player, and, in these roots-conscious times, very much a pioneer, Bill Kirchen is one of our best.
Rolling Stone, June 2013