Guitar player – and guitar maker – Pete Woodman gave a fascinating guitar workshop at Bordello in Douglas, in the Isle of Man, recently.

The event was organised by Isle of Man based guitar tutor John Gregory.

Pete talked about the history of resophonic guitars, their construction and some notable players, as well as demonstrating several instruments.

John and Pete also performed a couple of numbers together.

The event was very enjoyable and John would like to thank Pete for such an interesting evening.

Isle of Man guitar tutor John Gregory has organised a special guitar workshop which will feature the talents of his friend Pete Woodman.

Pete is not only an excellent guitar player but he makes excellent guitars. Full details about the workshop, which takes place at Bordello, Loch Promenade, Douglas, Isle of Man, on Wednesday, October 2 2013, are on the poster below. (Please click on the image to open up a new page where it will be enlarged).

There is no need to book and there is no need for people to bring their guitars as the event will consist of Pete playing and talking about different resophonic instruments and demonstrating slide guitar techniques.

The admission charge is £10 per person.

The fantastic Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes played in the Isle of Man on Saturday (September 21).

The band performed at the Centenary Centre in Peel and put on a great show.

John Gregory had the opportunity to have his picture taken with Albert who is often hailed as one of the greatest guitarists in the world.

Albert has worked with the likes of Eric Clapton, the Everly Brothers and Emmylou Harris during a fantastic career.

Over the past few years my path has crossed several times with the fantastically talented Marcus Bonfanti.

He has performed in the Isle of Man on a number of occasions since 2008 and my blues duo has had the honour of opening for him several times as well as performing with him.

In 2012 he joined Blue John and Papa Cass for our entire set at the Big Wheel Blues Festival in the Island and during his solo performance at the same event invited my good friend Tim ‘Papa’ Cass onto the stage for a couple of numbers.

Marcus is without doubt one of the greatest talents on the blues and rock scene in Britain and his popularity and reputation continues to grow and grow. Not only are his records great, as a live performer he excels. Charismatic, funny and a great guitar player, he also has a huge voice that falls somewhere between Tom Waits and Howlin’ Wolf. His love of performing is infectious.

Well, Marcus has a new album out, Shake The Walls. If you have an interest in rock or blues or blues rock!! then the chances are you will love this. It is full of catchy hard driving songs injected with swagger and great musicianship. To me it sounds like a greatest hits album because every track is a winner.

Never mind Shake The Walls, this album cranked up would demolish them. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

John

Isle of Man guitar tutor John Gregory’s blues duo will be opening for a top bluegrass band from Canada in September.

Blue John and Papa Cass – consisting of John on guitar and vocals and Tim ‘Papa’ Cass on harmonica and vocals – will be supporting Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys at Peel Centenary Centre, Isle of Man, on Saturday, September 7 2013.

John said: “It is always a pleasure to have the opportunity to play at the Centenary Centre in Peel which is a fantastic venue. We can’t wait to meet Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys and see them in action. It should be another very special night.”

Tickets are available online at www.etickets.im/cc/

A video clip of Gordie MacKeeman And His Rhythm Boys….

 

John Gregory is delighted to be involved in a blues weekend which will take place at the Northern Lights Community Centre in Bowring Road, Ramsey, Isle of Man.

He will hold a guitar workshop at 5pm on Saturday, June 29 and his good friend Tim ‘Papa’ Cass will be giving a harmonica workshop at 4pm.

At 6pm the same day the duo will perform together and at 7pm onwards there will be an blues open mic/jam.

John will be teaching both acoustic and electric guitar techniques. Participants can either just come along and watch the workshop or bring along an acoustic guitar to join in.

Entry is free but donations to the centre will be gratefully received.

Every fortnight John runs  Blue John’s  Deep South Guitar Club at the Patchwork Cafe, Bay View Road, Port St Mary.

The next sessions there, this coming Wednesday, June 19, will be very special as John has invited one of his favourite electric guitar players, Keith Randall, to play some  music and  explain some of his techniques.

In addition John will perform as part of his blues duo Blue John and Papa  Cass and will demonstrate some fingerpicking techniques.

John and his blues duo partner Tim Cass  (harmonica)  have been performing together for six years.

The evening is open to guitarists of all abilities and admission is £10.  Guitar players can bring an acoustic guitar along if they wish or just come along and  watch.

John will provide handouts to accompany  his  portion of the workshop.  The event lasts from 7pm to 9pm and it is recommended guitar players come for the whole two hours. Anyone who wants more information can contact John on 07624 204320 or email Bluejohnmedia@hotmail.co.uk

Guitar tutor John Gregory has been invited to play a concert for members of the Manx Blind Welfare charity.

He will perform a set of country blues on acoustic guitar for one of the charity’s social groups in Onchan on July 24.

John has been rehearsing a number of songs by artists such as Big Bill Broonzy, Elizabeth Cotten, Rev Gary Davis and Mississippi John Hurt.

Here is a picture of me with blues/folk acoustic guitar legend Wizz Jones.

Wizz played at the Big Wheel Blues Festival in Douglas, Isle of Man, on Saturday night (May 11).

It was a fantastic performance and I was pleased I had the opportunity to meet him after his set.

The weekend was full of great music from top international blues acts and quality Isle of Man musicians.

Blue John and Papa Cass (the blues duo I perform in), played on Sunday (May 12). It was the sixth consecutive year we have played at the festival.

Music fans across the Isle of Man will already be looking forward to the 2014 event.

Happy guitar playing,

John

John Gregory’s Blues duo, Blue John and Papa Cass, will be appearing at the Big Wheel Blues Festival in Douglas, Isle of Man, this Sunday (May 12).

The duo, consisting of John on guitar and Tim Cass on harmonica and vocals, will be performing on the acoustic stage in the Villa Marina Gardens from 1pm to 1.30pm. (If the weather is bad the gig will be moved indoors).

This will be the sixth consecutive year the blues duo has appeared at the festival. Their debut performance together at the event was in 2008 and they have been on the bill every year ever since.

Picture by Tony Goldsmith – TGF Photos