News
Welcome to the news section, this is where you can
find my latest personal updates, with show times, solo performances,
etc.
Top Stories
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Happy Holidays!
December 2008
As we all face the challenges of our times, some certainly more than others, we need to look forward to all that the new year can bring.
The best to you and yours from me and mine! Ed
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Check out the new Acoustic Guitar Magazine Sparks page...
December 18, 2008
My new Acoustic Guitar Space is now up and running! Just click on the image below and it'll take you there! I have also put a link on the
Links" page of my website. There are so many avenues today to get the word out, and I love being a part of them all!
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The new arrival! Raymond Guitars first 12 string...
December 17, 2008
My long time friend and bandmate, luthier Patrick Raymond of the newly formed Raymond Guitars, brought by a brand new Model RJ12 acoustic 12 string today for me to try out. The sound, especially of the open low "E" strings was incredible! The guitar was based on extensive measurements Patrick took from my Guild JF212Xl. That would account for how natural it felt in my hands. I played it for about 30 minutes, but then he made me give it back so he could deliver it to it's new owner.
Here are some pics:
I will post the address of the new Raymond Guitars website as soon as
it is on the WWW!
- "Let's Talk Guild"...
December 12, 2008
I just joined the Guild Forum:
If you are a Guild enthusiast Like me, this site is for you! There are lot's of discussions going on and it's all Guild. Founded by Mr. Hans Moust from the Netherlands (author of the "Guild Guitar Book") , the site is a wealth of information for Guild enthusiast worldwide. I currently own two acoustic Guild guitars a JF30 6~string and a JF212XL12~string.
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Recent visit to the Towson Guitar Center...
December 11, 2008
The Towson Guitar Center, like all of the stores in the chain, are big on Martin guitars...On a recent trip I got to play a new Martin C~S~N~Y model.
Here is a pic taken at the store that day and a Crosby~Nash CD autographed by Graham Nash when I met him years ago at an event in Virginia.
- Expanded Interview...
December 11, 2008
Click here to check out the expanded interview on the "ABOUT" page!
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What a great shirt...
December 6, 2008
This shirt is a "perfect fit" in more ways than one!
You can find them at: www.musiciansthreads.com/
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"The Lion" video posted on MySpace...
November 29, 2008
We have posted the video for "The Lion (Song for David)" on the MySpace video channels. Take a look!
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New videos posted on the "Videos" page
November 25, 2008
We have posted three new videos on the video page...
Sparks & Raymond at Homestead Gardens and two Sparks & Nolte videos from the recent D.A.D. Event. Click on the image below to go directly to the "Videos" page and give them a look...
then leave me a message on the Guestbook!
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"Corporate Gig"
November 22, 2008
I played solo for an event sponsored by the Entrepreneurial Studies Institute at Anne Arundel Community College. A great group, run by faculty member Carlene Cassidy, who promote and foster new businesses, especially small businesses, in the Baltimore/Washington area. Here is a picture by photographer Rhonda Ulmer.
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This just in...Sparks MySpace and Facebook is up and running...
November 22, 2008
Josh the Master Webmaster has just set both sites and they are ready for you to visit! Just click on the logo...
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Just back from the "Big Apple" Here are some highlights...
November 14, 2008
My 3 day trip to New York City on business ended last night with dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe...
Highlights:
1. At the HRC I got to see the acoustic guitar that George Harrison played at the Concert for Bangla Desh and a Hofner Beatle bass signed by McCartney in 1990, and a John Lennon drive to end hunger promo...
oh yeah, my steak wasn't bad either!
2. Got visit my three favorite NYC guitar shops:
Manny's, Sam Ash and Rudys. Picked up a Taylor low/imp breakout box for my rack rig at Sam Ash. Nicholas Atria is my new favorite salesman there.
3. Oh yeah, and the "business" part, got to meet Rick Pearson, the film editor for the new James Bond film! What a humble man...and an artist
Here are some music related pics...
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Ed's "Band Spot" pages on Bill's Music House site...
November 4, 2008
Check out my "Band Spot" page and the SRM "Band Spot" page at Billsmusic.com
or just click on the image!
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Ed's guitars in Vintage Guitar Magazine...
November 4, 2008
Here are two photos which have appeared in the pages of one of my favorite magazines, "Vintage Guitar." The photos are also posted on their website in the "Readers gallery" section.
"My 4 Gibsons" and "Four Part Harmony"
- Sparks
& Raymond play benefit...
November 2, 2008
Patrick and I played for the Maryland Chapter of The American Chestnut Foundation...
After our set we and the other guests were treated to a gourmet dinner! For more information on this group and their worthy efforts, visit their website...
The American Chestnut Foundation, Maryland Chapter
- A new Sparks
MySpace page is on its way!
October 27, 2008
My son, the webmaster, and I are preparing to create an Sparks MySpace page and the address will appear here soon as well as in the "Information Links" page on this site...check back soon!
- Sparks & Nolte
perform a three hour set for the D.A.D. Benefit Event for the Anne
Arundel County Office on Disabilities
October 25, 2008
David Nolte and Ed
My friend David Nolte and I had a wonderful time performing at the Westfield Annapolis Mall for "Disabilities Awareness Day," an annual event which raises awareness of issues regarding citizens with disabilities in the County.
Josh also performed with us on cello & bass.
The event was a wonderful success and we hope to be back next year!
Coming Soon! Look for two short videos from the show on the "Videos" page of this website!
- INCREDIBLE NEWS!
October 25, 2008
They are back! Literally minutes before going on stage for a benefit for the AA County Disabilities Office, my cell phone rang and it was Matt Bowers, the General Manager at the Guitar Center in Glen Burnie...a young man brought in a Hofner Beatle bass to sell for cash...long story short, Matt recognized it as my stolen bass and called the Police...about an hour later I had both my bass and my Guild 12 string!
Ed with Matt Bowers the "Guitar Center" Hero!
Many thanks to my friends and bandmates for their support, and all the stores who supported me by taking my information flyer in hopes that someone would come in with the guitars...Dale at The Severna Park Music & Arts Center, Rick at Garrett Park Guitars in Annapolis, Emory at Appalachian Bluegrass, Bruce at Bruce Sandler's Guitar Network, Jim's Guitars, and Brian at Bill's Music House, all in Catonsville. Thanks to the Public Safety Office at AACC for getting the Police report out immediately! And of course my greatest thanks to Chris Rush and Matt Bowers of the Glen Burnie Guitar Center...Chris for taking my missing instruments flyer in and quickly circulated them amongst the area Guitar Center Stores, and of course Matt, for recognizing my bass when it was brought in, and calling the Police. Also, a big thank you to the Police for professionally handling the recovery of my beloved instruments! They are both in perfect shape, and are now home resting, recuperating and readying themselves for the next show!
- Something NEW!
October 22, 2008
Check out my new page at the American Songspace!
Click on the image to get there!
- No news...
October 16, 2008
No word on the two stolen guitars. I have ordered two brand new Guilds, one each of the only two remaining American-made Guild 12 strings, the F412 and F512. They are identical with the exception of the back and sides wood, maple or rosewood. When they finally do come in I will choose the one I like best to purchase. Once gain I have received a deal that I can't pass up from Brian Higgins of Bill's Music in Catonsville (link on the links page of my web site). I will post pictures of the one I choose in the Guitar Gallery. Many thanks to all of the kind words I have received about the loss of the two guitars.
- Bad news...
October 4, 2008
Two of my guitars were stolen recently after a show. The two instruments were my 1980 Guild JF212XLN 12 string acoustic and the second was my Hofner Icon Beatle "B" Bass. A Police report was filed and we still hold out hope for their return. The Hofner bass was a gift from my wife and held great sentimental value and so it's heartbreaking to lose. It took 6 months to get it once she ordered it and another 6 months to get the case! I will eventually replace it, but not just now as I have two other basses to use. The second is my Guild 12 string. This instrument was 28 years old (older than all of my children!) and I will be replacing it ASAP with a new Guild. Check the Guitar Gallery for pictures of the new 12 sting~!
- Site Launch
October 4, 2008
The new website is launched!!! After many months and mush work the new site is up. There may still be a few ghosts in the machine, but we will work them out as they make themselves know. If you see anything that doesn't look right, please email me and let me know so we can correct it! I will personally be continuing my expansion of the website. I'd check back as much as possible to get all the latest news on myself and the band. I hope you like the site~!
