Axe Men

I've never understood why guitar festivals insist on booking the same tired blues and hard rock guitarists year after year. Really, when was the last time you heard anyone say--"Hey, Rick Derringer's in town, guys! We should totally go check that out." Not to knock "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo"...

By Noah W. Bailey

April 16, 2009

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I've never understood why guitar festivals insist on booking the same tired blues and hard rock guitarists year after year. Really, when was the last time you heard anyone say--"Hey, Rick Derringer's in town, guys! We should totally go check that out." Not to knock "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" or the guy's technical skill; it's just that the instrument is so much more versatile than that, as evidenced by everyone from John Fahey to Eddie Hazel, to name just a couple of awesome dead guys. That being said, the 2009 Dallas International Guitar Festival should still be a good time for anyone who appreciates the instrument and the craftsmanship that goes into it, with numerous performances by guys who have shared a stage with B.B. or Freddie King once or twice, one ex-Doobie Brother (Jeff "Skunk" Baxter) and one Paul Reed Smith--the guy behind the ugly guitars favored by Carlos Santana and Dave Navarro--along with booths chock full of axes worth salivating over. Check it all out Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Dallas Market Hall, 2200 N. Stemmons Freeway. Visit guitarshow.com for tickets and info.
April 17-19, 2009

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