I'm Musician of the Month for April 2026

 

I am very honored that my peers in The Upstate Musicians selected me for Musician of the Month for April 2026. 

Friday Guitar Playing at Orion Art Gallery

Me at Orion Art Gallery January 16, 2025. This photo shows alarming hair loss.

This photo is me playing guitar at Orion Art Gallery in Watertown NY yesterday (Friday January 16, 2025). The event was an opening for an exhibit by local photographer Tom Murray. Photo taken by Alice Elisabeth. The foreground shows parts of Murray's photos.

The day started out cold, the temperature at minus 3 degrees in the morning.   iPhone shows I walked 3,777 steps on this day. 

Guitar at Ives Hill Retirement Community

 

Me at Ives Hill Wednesday Dec3, 2025. Was unable to open
this photo in Photoshop so took a screen shot of it on my phone.

Awoke yesterday morning to sun and temperature of 16 degrees. Didn't accomplish a lot but played a guitar gig at Ives Hill Retirement Community from 4:00 to 5:00 which went over well with my audience. Good compliments afterward. Personally it wasn't one of my better presentations. I arrived early enough and set up in The Lodge. Ten minutes before show time I learned I was in the wrong building. I should have been in the building across the street. I quickly packed up, moved to other building, set up and got started less than 10 minutes late. HOWEVER, this mishap flustered me, threw me off my game. I got off to a rough start, fumbling a bit on the first pieces, gradually recovered and regained control of myself. The people there however, were very pleased, very enthusiastic. For myself, the weakest pieces were some Christmas songs I was sight reading, not having memorized them. Overall, I enjoyed it much.

Yesterdays high and low temps, Chaumont, NY

Guitar Gig at Sackets Art Gallery and Snappy Grillers

Saturday September 6, 2025 

Ukulele group playing at Sackets Harbor Art Gallery

Woke up to rain, heavy at times, put a damper on my Saturday Farm Market gig. I usually play there from 11:00 - 1:00. Then I had a one hour gig at the Art Gallery in Sackets Harbor at 3:00. This was an opening for a music themed art show. A woman demonstrated a sort of new age music shower utilizing crystal bowls, a drum, rain stick and couple other instruments. She created quite a relaxing atmosphere and guided attendees through a meditation of sorts. Next up was a ukulele playing a variety of folk songs and some sing along tunes. I was on at 3:00. I was caught off guard as I wasn't expecting a recital type presentation. So I winged talking a bit about guitar history and playing pieces by Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani and Francisco Tarrega. Followed that with some Beatles tunes, Classical Gas, and a few others. Overall I got positive feedback and folks seemed genuinely impressed. Personally I feel it was one of  my better performances. But I did enjoy it once I got started. 

By the time I got home the weather had cleared, was windy, cool. I lit up the grill and out on some Hoffman Snappy Grillers hot dogs. Had home grown tomatoes and green beans too.

Lit up the grill for some Snappy Grillers

Hoffman Snappy Grillers 

Tomatoes and Jalapenos from our garden

Two Guitar Gigs, A Swim and Cape Vincent Photo

 Saturday August 16, 2025

Boy playing on dock, Cape Vincent, NY.  photo copyright Gary Walts

Sunny, hot and humid today. Oatmeal for breakfast. 10:30 I was at the Saturday Farm Market in JB Wise Parking Lt, Watertown NY. Played 2 hours. Back home a little before 2:00. THEN, I discovered I missed a gig. I was supposed to be at The Strand Theater in Watertown to play at 2:00 for an art auction to benefit the Lions Club. YIKES!  I thought the job was for Sunday. Anyhow, all was not lost. I was to play 2:00-3:00. Instead I played 3:00-4:00. It was a nice event. Afterwards the Better Half and I drove to Cape Vincent where I went for a swim and then snapped the above picture of a boy running on a dock. I used a Sony a6600 camera and a Minolta 500mm f8 mirror lens to grab the photo.

Guitar tips received at Saturday Farm Market

Art auction at the Strand Theater in Watertown

Art auction at the Strand Theater in Watertown

Art auction at the Strand Theater in Watertown

Boat Cruse Guitar, Bat, Porch Boards

Thursday August 7, 2025

Me playing on a boat cruising the St Lawrence River, 

Played guitar aboard a boat cruise on the St. Lawrence River. It was an event put on by Orion Art Gallery as a fund raiser for the Watertown Zoo. It was about 2 hours. Used my Guild Mark V classical guitar, Roland Street Cube battery powered amp. 

Earlier in the day I picked up pine boards for new floor on side porch of our Chaumont house. 27 boards, 1 & 1/8 inch by 6 inch by 8 ft long. Came to a couple dollars over $500.00 withtax. Purchased at Home Depot on zero percent credit for 12 months. Beautiful deal. 

Started the day out by discovering a bat sleeping in our basement. I dispatched the creature. I must seal up the basement. I have no idea how they are getting in there.

Phil Ashwood, Jerry Merril & ? waiting to board boat cruise, Clayton NY

New boards for side porch floor.

Dead bat discovered in basement. Found another one the day before this one. 

Guitar Gig at Plein Air Festival - Bella Brook Winery

 

Detail of one of the paintings.

Today I had a pleasant guitar gig at the plein air festival art show and sale at Bella Brook Winery, Hammond, NY. The art was displayed in a cavernous hall at the winery. The building has a lot of reverberation that magnified the sound of people mingling and talking as well my guitar playing. It was one of those situations where I had difficulty hearing myself, or so it seemed. Anyway, I trusted i was sounding better out in front of me than what I was hearing. I got plenty of favorable comments and compliments. Outdoors the weather was windy, not overly warm, partly overcast. In general a gorgous north country day. The winery is 55 miles from our Chaumont house. I present here a few photos from the event.

This beautiful quilt was raffled off at the event.

I Install New Schaller Guitar Tuning Machines on Guild Mark V Guitar

 Thursday June 112, 2025

Beautifully packaged Schaller Hauser style classical guitar tuning machines.

I installed new Schaller guitar tuning mchines on my 1984 Guild Mark V classical guitar. The instrument fell over last Saturday and bent the original machines. I ordered replacement machines from StewMac.com located in Athens, Ohio. Placed the order online Saturday evening and the machines arrived the following Thursday. Very quick service. I purchased the Hauser style gold machines. They appeared on the website to be identical to the originals on my guitar. The new ones fit PERFECTLY. No new screw holes to drill or anything. Took old ones off and new ones fit perfectly, screw holes lined up precisely. Swapping out the machines and putting on new strings took me 30 to 40 minutes. Easy. 

New machines set in place in guitar peg head. Old machines bottom. 

New tuning machines by Schaller. Beautiful. 

Detail of New tuning machines by Schaller. Beautiful. 

New tuning machines by Schaller were perfect fit. Original screw holes
aligned precisely with them. 

Damage My Guitar at Farm Market

 Saturday, June 7, 2025

Me at Watertown Saturday Farm Market Pavilion, JB Wise parking lot.

Saturday I was setting up to ply guitar at the Watertown Saturday Farm Market when my guitar fell out of the guitar stand and anded on concrete floor of the arena. YIKES! I am thankful the only damage appears to be a bent tuning peg. It's the first string peg. This was my 1984 Guild MarkV classical guitar. What a horrible way to start a gig! The bent peg rendered the string untunable so I tuned the remaining strings to it. I hate to replace the tuning machines with something other than originals. I believe they are Schaller Machines. Quick google search and found some Schaller machines that look almost identical. I ordered them. Price $132.00 I am hoping they are an exact fit so I don't need to drill new screw holes. Other than that the gig went well, I played satisfactorily. Vendors and patrons at the market seemed pleased and I was asked to return the following Saturday which is coming up. June 14th.

First string tuning peg bent on my 1984 Guild Mark V Classical Guitar

Guitar at Flower Memorial Library 120th Anniversary

 

Inside the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY.

Today, Saturday January 4, 2025, marks the120th year of the Flower Memorial Library in Watertown, NY. I played guitar at their 2 hour party.There was a good turnout for the event. Quite a few people I knew attended as well as city dignitaries and other politicians and friends of the library. This was my first gig for 2025. I received many compliments. It went well. BUT- I forgot once again to ask someone to snap a photo of me playing at the event. I usually hand my iPhone off to someone to take a photo. It's possible I might get a photo from one of the attendees. Also, the local TV station was on hand covering the event. I'm writing this at 10:45 or so as I wait for the 11:00pm news. Maybe I'll show up in the piece.

Portrait Painting of Me by Jerry Merrill

Wonderful portrait of me by Jerry Merril.

Here is a painting of me playing guitar created by artist Jerry Merrill, Rodman, NY. He painted it from a photo of me taken back in October while I was playing guitar at the Orion Art Gallery on Mullin St., Watertown, NY. Jerry revealed it to me and others at Orion Gallery during their Christmas Party on Dec. 14. I was very honored that Jerry took the time to paint me. I am also impressed with the result. I truly feel he captured my likeness. I was blown away by it. Jerry and I have been friends for quite a few years. I really got to know him when he took some guitar lessons with me. Jerry is quite a prolific painter and also a talented sculptor. 

Jerry Merrill shows photo his portrait of me during Orion Art Gallery Christmas party.

Guitar Gig at Orion Art Gallery

I play guitar at Orion Art Gallery's Halloween party. I love this photo
snapped by artist Alice Elisabeth.

This is photo of me playing guitar at Orion Art Gallery, Mullin St, Watertown, NY. I felt I played well and the music was received well.  Played 6-8:00, enjoyed good food and company. 

It was a beautiful day here in the north Country, temperature hitting 72 degrees, sunny. The Better Half & I had breakfast a a diner/bakery here in the village of Chaumont.  Afterwards I raked some leaves, prepared some food for tomorrow's Halloween party at our house. The gig went well and finished the evening watching the5th game of the World Series between the NY Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers won tonights game 7-6, clinching the World Series title. 

Guitar Day: Wednesday September 18

Me playing guitar at the Watertown Farm Market. Photo by Frank Sacci.

Last week I played the Watertown Farm & Craft Market on Washington St. Watertown. It was last minute gig. The chamber contacted me a couple days earlier to see if I was free. I was. Afterwards I had guitar lessons at the Copley House in Chaumont. The photo presented here was taken by Frank Sacci.

Drawing of Me With Guitar by James William Henley

 Presented here is a drawing of me playing guitar. It was created by artist James William Henley. He resides here in the NorthCountry somewhere. I confess that I only met him once and that was last summer (2023) at Orion Art Gallery where I was playing when he drew this. I don't remember where he said he lives. Adams or Brownville seem to be in my mind. Anyhow, I love it and thank him for the print. It's 16x20. He dropped the art off at Orion's new location on Mullin St., Watertown, NY. 

Drawing of me by artist James William Henley.

I Play Guitar at Billy Patterson Gala

Friday June 7 I played guitar at the Billy Patterson Gala.The event was held at the Copley House in Chaumont, NY.  Billy was a well known resident of Chaumont, NY having worked at the local grocery store and at The Blue Heron restaurant in the village. He also lived in an apartment at the Copley house. Billy died too young, a cancer victim. It was a nice event. Played guitar outdoors in the garden. It was windy and cool, 60 to 64 degrees. Met some good people, had some great food.

Great Photo of Me Playing Guitar at Watertown Farm Market May 22, 2024

 

Me playing at Watertown Farm Market, photo by Tom Murray

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 I played guitar on the opening day of the 2024 Watertown Farm and Craft Market. It was very warm, over 80 degrees and humid. There was a strong, steady breeze the mad the 2 hour gi was there. I asked him to snap a photo of me. He use Photoshop to change the background into a sunset and the result was fantastic. 

Here is photo after Murray replaced the background with Photoshop:

Me playing at Watertown Farm Market, background replaced with Photoshop.
photo by Tom Murray

Winter Dog Walker Photo & a Guitar Gig

 We got some snow yesterday (Saturday). I was toying around with black and white camera setting on my iPhone 6s, looking through living room window, through the blinds, spotted this person walking a dog. Snap, snap, snap. I would like to have done better with it, but I like it. 

Person walking a dog past our house in Chaumont, NY.

I snapped this photo in the morning. In the afternoon I had a guitar gig at Orion Art Gallery, Alexandria Bay, near the thousand islands bridge. It was 2:00-4:00 and went well. Used my Guild guitar and battery powered amp. 

I forgot to have someone snap a photo of me playing. 

Blood Donation, Haircut, Guitar Lessons

 Today, January 30, 2024 I awoke at 5:30AM. 

Got up at 6:00 

Got haircut at the Sportsman's Barber Shop, State St., Watertown. That was at 10:00

At 11:00 I was at the state office building donating blood at a Red Cross drive on the 11th floor.

Stopped at Lowe's & bought 2 8 foot 1x5 pine boards for Clay Street door repair.

Back home at 1:30

3:30 I was at Copley House in Chaumont for a couple of guitar lessons. Back home from there at 6:00PM.

Very tired. 

Watch some TV with Better Half and calling it a day at 10:30

Guitar Gig for ARC and Price of Gas Today September 8, 2022

Thursday, September 8, 2022.

Today I had a guitar gig at  The Arc Jefferson St. Lawrence annual fund raising event, Sunset at the Park. The event is held at Thompson Park, Watertown, NY. 

I arrived at 3:30, played 4:30 to 6:00. I was followed by musician Sara Ada. Sara is a wonderful singer and ukulele player. 

Me during guitar gig at  The Arc Jefferson St. Lawrence annual fund raising event, Sunset at the Park.

Earlier in the day I mowed the lawn. 

The price of gas has been outrageously high here in Northern NY for quite a few months. Today I fueled up at the Valero pumps at the store in Dexter. Price was $4.09 a gallon. down from $4.39 a gallon a few days ago. 

Price of gas today, Sept. 8, 2022, in Dexter, NY.

I Play a Fingerstyle / Classical Guitar Style Version of Eleanor Rigby

This past week I video taped myself playing the Beatles song Eleanor Rigby. This wqs the first Beatles song I learned to play many years ago. This arrangement is by Nashville guitarist John Knowles. It was published in his book Sittin' Back Pickin'. It is also available from John Knowles in issue #38 of his Fingerstyle Quarterly news letter. The guitar is a Signature Series made by Alejandro Cervantes. Sound was recorded with a Zoom H2N handy recorder. Video shot with a Nikon D5000 camera.