OK, we’re packing a lot in on this second day in Milan: first Duomo, then more general sightseeing as we slowly make our way to our key destination, Sforza Castle. But first, a quick stop in the separate Museum of Historical Fashion & Costume, full of period art and costumes.  Jaci was allowed to take [...]

After lunch overlooking Duomo, we strolled a bit – actually, a lot – around the central city, as we meandered our way (well, Giulia was meandering, we were flat out lost) toward the museums at the castle. BTW, 90% of the non-guitar photos of our travelogue were taken by Jaci with her little automatic 8meg [...]

Yesterday, we got just a glimpse – well, an eyeful – of the third largest church in the world, Duomo, Milan’s awe-inspiring centuries-in-the-making Gothic cathedral.  We decided to make this our first stop for the morning of our second day in the city.  First, here are a few shots of the astounding detail and grandeur: [...]

Time for Day 3 of our continuing adventures in Italy.  For this trip, we wanted to explore a bit farther afield, and I suggested Milan (both to my wife, Jaci, and host, Franco) – as there were musical instrument research possibilities there, along with other museum options for Jaci, and friends to help show us [...]

We ended Part 1 with dreams of harp guitars swirling in my jet-lagged head.  Ironically, I’d be able to rest a bit better once I was up. The second day of our trip happened to be Easter Sunday, and so it would be a relaxing day of food and family (with Jaci and I “adopted [...]

By now, most readers have probably caught up with my first-time adventures in Genoa (Genova), Italy two years ago.  So – could I recapture the magic?  Yes, and no.  Nothing can compare to that first impression, the emotions, the city, the new friends and the ridiculous amount of new instrument discoveries (and always that “following [...]

Just a busy week is all. Let’s see… Read the new Stauffer book (twice through)…will say a bit more on that shortly. Been working on a couple new tunes, and decided to try recording with the SB Wingert that’s posted at Harp Guitar Music.   Took just a bit to adapt to (from the Dyer), but [...]

Yes, this is what we hope to see (with all the letters) up on the marquee of the Uptown Theater in beautiful downtown Grand Prairie, Texas. The contract is signed, and we are a go for the first weekend in November!  Check out the Gathering home page for more info. Next will be finding the [...]

Wow, somebody out there likes me.  Several somebodies, in fact. A week ago, someone alerted me to a Knutsen harp mandolin for sale at the shopgoodwill.com auction site (which I don’t keep up with). The next day, someone else – not one of my “regulars” – did the same. Then another.  And another. Within days, [...]

Another exhausting Saturday at NAMM, Anaheim. Once again, I was a guest of Carolyn Grant and the Carlsbad Museum of Making Music.  Part of NAMM, they put on a different exhibit each year.  This was “Celebrating Hand Crafted Instruments” – including the SB Wingert harp guitar I loaned. That’s Carolyn waving behind luthier Rick Turner, [...]