| userName | text |
| mdrs |
Welcome to a very special edition of The String Network’s “Live Chat”. Before we get on with the festivities, I’d like to take a moment to review the procedures we’ll use to keep things orderly. When a member has a question, simply type “I have a question”. I’ll keep a list of your names, in the order in which you type in. I will then call on you, in order, when it is time to ask your question. After your question is answered, I will give you the opportunity for a follow up question right away. Remember that our guest will be doing a lot of typing. So, please be patient and give him a chance to answer. |
| mdrs |
We are honored to have perhaps the finest guitarist in the industry today, David Grissom, here with us on The String Network for a very special edition of “Live Chat”. David has toured and recorded with the likes of The Dixie Chicks, John Mellencamp, Joe Ely, Storyville, The Allman Brother’s Band, Chris Isaak, Robben Ford, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Montgomery Gentry, Ringo Starr, Buddy Guy, John Mayall, Martina McBride, and Jennifer Warnes. David has also had a long relationship with Paul Reed Smith, and recently has had a signature PRS guitar issue, the DGT. |
| dgrissom |
I have a question |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Okay, so I have a question :) |
| mdrs |
It is with extreme pleasure that I introduce and welcome Mr. David Grissom to The String Network’s “Live Chat”!! |
| Greg_B. |
a sense of humor, I love it!! :D |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
hahah yeah |
| eman59 |
I have a question |
| mdrs |
Hi David, how’s things? And, what is your question, David? |
| Greg_B. |
I have a question |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
I have a question |
| dgrissom |
Did you happen to notice that Texas is #1 at the moment? |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Say wha? :D |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
haha |
| Greg_B. |
Hey now...I'm an Okie |
| mdrs |
LOL.....yea, but Penn State is #3 |
| dgrissom |
That would be UT |
| mdrs |
:P |
| Greg_B. |
:P |
| dgrissom |
OK let's get serious |
| mdrs |
Now, remember, guys...members, please hold your comments until I call on you, for the sake of sanity here |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Okay. |
| mdrs |
first question for David; Is it true that you are a failed drummer? |
| dgrissom |
Yes....I started on drums.....wouldn't say I failed, I just heard Revolver |
| mdrs |
George converted you, eh? |
| dgrissom |
Got To get You Into my Life.......... |
| dgrissom |
that lick near thenend |
| mdrs |
Can you tell us about your early years…..did you have any formal musical education or training? |
| mdrs |
sorry, go on..... |
| dgrissom |
not at first, but I eventually learned to read some and got a good dose of theory I am grateful for |
| mdrs |
one teacher?? |
| mdrs |
for the theory, that is |
| dgrissom |
several........The first got me into the Stones, the 2nd into BB, Magic Sam, and Bloomfield, then the 3rd was all jazz |
| dgrissom |
I went to Berklee for a summer session.....met Pat Martino and Pat Metheny |
| dgrissom |
oh the theory came from the jazz guy of course |
| mdrs |
You seem to have elements of fingerstyle, blues, country, and jazz in your playing…..am I leaving any out?? How did you put all these elements together? |
| dgrissom |
I guess what I would say you are leaving out is ROCK and the intensity that comes with it. I mean all the styles you mention make up and are the foundation for R&R but I found early on that a lot of traditionalists seemed to turn their noses up at me |
| dgrissom |
All these things were going on around Louisville where I grew up |
| mdrs |
LOL....I lived in Louisville for 8 years...U of L ....Anyway, why would they turn their noses up...because you melded so many different styles? |
| eman59 |
Hey David...It's Eliot...the bald guy with Ed from the PRS Experience.....you blew us all away at PRS and thanks for being you and for great tone.....how do you set your Arion pedal ??????????? |
| eman59 |
sorry |
| dgrissom |
Bluegrass, jazz......Jimmy Raney lived there, southern rock, it al seemed the same........and then I would go hear Joe Pass at the great Midwestern bluegrass all.....with a fake ID of course |
| mdrs |
LOL |
| mdrs |
Hold on!! |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
NICE |
| dgrissom |
and Norman Blake the next night |
| dgrissom |
HI Ed! |
| mdrs |
David, what was your first paying gig? |
| dgrissom |
Thee Arion is awesome........the speed is at around 1 or 2 oclock and the other 2knobs are straight up |
| mdrs |
while David is typing, let me say that I have a few more questions, and then I'll call on you guys |
| eman59 |
thanks you |
| eman59 |
sorry doc |
| mdrs |
So, the Arion is better than the Mojo Vibe???? |
| mdrs |
I KNOW it's cheaper! LOL |
| dgrissom |
My first paying gig was I think......at Joe's Palm Room in Louisville......I was the only white guy in the band...the band was caled Taco |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Someone later will need to let me know about this Arion later! |
| mdrs |
Cool. |
| dgrissom |
if it wasn't Joe's it was The Red Barn at UofL |
| mdrs |
you are bring back old memories.......LOL |
| dgrissom |
arion chorus $25 all day long |
| mdrs |
NICE |
| mdrs |
PRICE |
| mdrs |
Eliot, while we are on the arion, do you have a follow up question for David |
| dgrissom |
sch-1 |
| dgrissom |
I use it in mono |
| eman59 |
nope....Just thanks for great playing and music |
| ChatBot |
/logout zebraprs |
| ChatBot |
/login zebraprs |
| mdrs |
David, Over the years, what guitars have you used? When did you get turned on to PRS guitars, and which ones have you used? |
| dgrissom |
I saw Roy uchanon at the Red Barn......he walked on stage with a fifth of Dewars in 1 hand and a 53 tele in the other |
| mdrs |
NO KIDDING |
| mdrs |
Wow |
| dgrissom |
Buchanon of course |
| mdrs |
did he kill? |
| dgrissom |
or is it Buchanan? IHe killed ME! |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Buchanan I think |
| mdrs |
Me too....... |
| dgrissom |
played a twin turned around backwards |
| mdrs |
so no one could see how he set it, and so your ears didn't bleed!! |
| mdrs |
:P |
| dgrissom |
then I could see JD Crowe with Tony Rice and Ricky Skags the next week |
| dgrissom |
I know Skaggs |
| mdrs |
Amazing music town, Louisville. Ricky is a killer player, eh? |
| dgrissom |
unbelievable |
| mdrs |
Why are all the best players BLUEGRASS GUYS? |
| dgrissom |
Wes Montgomery never played with Bill Monroe |
| mdrs |
I learned that in Louisville!! |
| mdrs |
So, back to guitars, thru your career, what has been your progression of guitars that you favored? |
| dgrissom |
i thought I could play a little bluegrass until I "jamed" with Bryan Sutton |
| dgrissom |
wel....the 1st good one was a strat |
| dgrissom |
then an old strat |
| dgrissom |
got a '60 fiesta red in Memphis in 79 or 80 |
| mdrs |
You still have that one, right? |
| dgrissom |
wait a minute............between the 2 strats I had a 52 lester |
| mdrs |
trap bridge?? |
| mdrs |
Did it play worth a darn?? |
| dgrissom |
strings under the bridge.....I efinished the back and neck with boat varnish.......really |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
52 lester? wow |
| mdrs |
So, you're a luthier too?? LOL |
| mdrs |
When did you "discover" PRS guitars? |
| dgrissom |
$270 out of the Bargain Mart newspaper |
| dgrissom |
That ended my lutherie days |
| mdrs |
THIS IS GOOD! |
| mdrs |
;) |
| dgrissom |
PRS..........I just loved the look of that seafoam green in the ad in 1985 |
| eman59 |
great color |
| dgrissom |
had to hunt one down |
| mdrs |
You must have found one...... |
| Mac306 |
my son painted his bed room seafoam green |
| dgrissom |
traded for it to guy in Dallas.......he graciously took my 59 Esquire with the original case for the PRS but wouldn't let me have the PRS case |
| eman59 |
lil Ed !!!! |
| Mac306 |
yes |
| mdrs |
I have one or two more questions, and then I'll call on you guys one at a time. Hold on till then, please. /thanks |
| eman59 |
I have a question |
| mdrs |
David, Tell us about your signature PRS model, the DGT……….How long did it take you to develop it? I hear that PRS has back orders on the DGT, with waits of something like a year??? |
| dgrissom |
Long answer coming up |
| dgrissom |
I would say it took 23 years to develop |
| mdrs |
after another question or two, I'll call on Zack, then Eliot, then Greg.....one at a time. Please wait for me to call on you. Any others who have questions, just type "I have a question" and i'll put you on the list for me to call on you. |
| mdrs |
23 years? |
| mdrs |
That's persistance |
| mdrs |
I really see you as the “consummate guitarist”, able to play many styles and genres. You’ve been involved in many name bands, and I’ve heard that you do a lot of session work. What is your favorite thing to do when it comes to your playing career? |
| dgrissom |
I am still here |
| mdrs |
O.K.!! |
| zebraprs |
I have a question |
| dgrissom |
I must have hit a wrong button...sorry. |
| mdrs |
gotcha Z |
| mdrs |
no problem |
| dgrissom |
Right now, I get the must enjoyment out of writing songs that I want to record and put out on a CD |
| mdrs |
Do you have a new CD on the horizon? |
| ChatBot |
/login Dr._Ellwood |
| dgrissom |
that may sound obvious, but after playing on so many records and writing songs for other people it has been a revelation to be able to make recordings on my terms |
| dgrissom |
I am almost done with a new one...95% and hope to have it out by anuary |
| mdrs |
Why do you think it took until now for you to concentrate on writing YOUR OWN songs? |
| dgrissom |
That is just the way it was supposed to be I guess |
| mdrs |
O.K., here's the last of my questions for you, David; What music are you listening to these days? |
| ChatBot |
/logout Dr._Ellwood Timeout |
| ChatBot |
/login Dr._Ellwood |
| dgrissom |
I am a firm believer in a power greater than myself and right now I a realy trying to listen |
| mdrs |
Amen |
| mdrs |
and well put. |
| mdrs |
Here's the last of my questions for you, David; What music are you listening to these days? |
| dgrissom |
Let me think |
| mdrs |
O.K. :) |
| dgrissom |
That is the hardest question |
| mdrs |
Really? |
| dgrissom |
Not much because I am so intensely in to finishing my CD |
| mdrs |
gotcha.......... |
| mdrs |
O.K., let's get on to the member's questions. Zack, your question for David, please. |
| dgrissom |
I heard a recording of 4 or 5 15 year old kids playing classical guitar together on a station in Austin and it almost brought tears to my eyes |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Okay, first off, let me say it is a great pleasure to 'meet' you Mr. Grissom. |
| dgrissom |
it was live in the studio |
| mdrs |
Eliot you are on deck after...then Greg, followed by Zebraprs....I'll call on you each in turn. |
| dgrissom |
Howdy |
| mdrs |
Typing, Zack? |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
I play many instruments, and especially with Guitar I find sometimes I lose interest so much I just stop playing all together. Now, for me Michael Bloomfield and Stevie Ray can ALWAYS get me back into playing (even Johnny Winter's Second Winter along with Super Session). I was wondering, do you have an people at anytime that could really get you back into playing, or CONSTANTLY inspire you, even when you thought inspiration was unreachable, like Michael is to me? |
| dgrissom |
yes |
| dgrissom |
Albert King |
| dgrissom |
Pat Metheny when he played with Jaco |
| dgrissom |
Duane Alman |
| eman59 |
yes Duane |
| eman59 |
da man |
| dgrissom |
Wes......... |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Duane is great! |
| dgrissom |
Coltrane |
| mdrs |
Do you have a follow up, Zack? |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Yes. |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Out of all of them, who do you think is in your sound the most? And, cool stuff with Coltrane, not the average Guitar player. |
| dgrissom |
well phrasing wise I love sax players |
| mdrs |
Eliot, your question for David? |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Thank you Mr. Grissom by the way! |
| mdrs |
Greg will be next after eliot |
| eman59 |
what was your all time favorite peo gig ? |
| eman59 |
pro |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
I must be going y'all so Goodnight, and thank you again Mr. Grissom for your time! |
| dgrissom |
My tone is an amalgamation of Duane, early Roy, very early Billy G, Little Walter, and a million other things. Albert King...trying to get that overtone thing without too much distortionAlso.........tone is hard to keep consistent....so I have heard great players sound bad too |
| mdrs |
good night Zack |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Woah, Little Walter, that one caught my eyes, NICE ;) |
| Zack_Pomerleau |
Goodnight though. |
| mdrs |
Eliot, do you have a follow up? |
| dgrissom |
al time favorite...the one I played last night was pretty good |
| eman59 |
what tele players are your favorite...you do alot of tele stuff with humbuckers.."VERY COOL" |
| dgrissom |
probably sitting in with the Brothers for 3 weeks in 93 |
| eman59 |
i WAS AT THE pHILLY SHOW |
| mdrs |
By the way, David you gotta play with Eliot...he rocks!! |
| eman59 |
great night |
| dgrissom |
tele..early Roy, early Albert Lee, |
| mdrs |
Just a plug for my bud........... |
| mdrs |
O.K., Greg, you're on! |
| dgrissom |
I know Eliot rocks cause I met him |
| eman59 |
any chance of a duo with Warren Haynes |
| Greg_B. |
David, first of all, thanks you for taking the time and doing this for us and it is a pleasure to meet you, even if it is thru a computer.:P This may be a stupid question, but your reference to Tulsa and the "honky tonk shrine" in "Loud Music"...would the "honky tonk shrine" by chance be Cains Ballroom? I'm in Tulsa and that is my FAVORITE place to see a show. Saw Gov't Mule there recently. Having asked that, are you going to tour your solo record? I'd love to see you live playing these songs. BTW my wife really likes you CD also, and she's not much of a music person at all. |
| dgrissom |
I played on a track from his new one.....he is awesome and it makes perfect sense to me |
| mdrs |
I'd buy that........ |
| dgrissom |
yes..Cains absolutely |
| Greg_B. |
You and Warren, I AM THERE!!!!! I love the Mule!! |
| Greg_B. |
Thought so...B):D |
| dgrissom |
there is a bootleg of one of the ABshows |
| eman59 |
do you have a copy of that ? |
| dgrissom |
I might |
| mdrs |
hummmmmmmm........ |
| eman59 |
hook a brother up |
| mdrs |
:P |
| dgrissom |
:P |
| eman59 |
two tons of tone !!!!! |
| mdrs |
Follow up, Greg? |
| Greg_B. |
Very cool...I'd buy a ticket right now!! :D Thanks again for your time, David. If you ever make it up to Cains, I'll be there!! I'm finished, Don. |
| mdrs |
Zebraprs, you are on!! |
| zebraprs |
Not as much a question... rather a statement. Meeting you at the Experience this year and last was an absolute treat. (I am the other bald guy with E and Ed) Watching you play is such an intimate setting was quite amazing... Meeting you in the warehouse and speaking to you about the guitar for Ed was mind boggling.. Playing in a cover band here in NJ, I don't really get a change to try new things, but after seeing you play, everytime I sit down and play, I try to remember some of the things you do and see how they work... Here is my question :P Are there guitarists that you learn from or are you just thinking of this stuff on your own? |
| dgrissom |
Thanks Greg! |
| dgrissom |
I am just looking to hear something that moves me....... |
| zebraprs |
AMEN your playing moved a lot of us.. |
| dgrissom |
and play that way too |
| mdrs |
David......have you played any of Tom Anderson's guitars? I'm hoping Paul doesn't hit me for asking!!! |
| zebraprs |
will you tour in support of your new CD and as brothers in the PRS family can we hang with you after the show? 8o |
| dgrissom |
Yes, Tom makes a guitar of the highest caliber |
| mdrs |
How does he get those frets so perfect?? |
| dgrissom |
I want to get out and play, but I don't want to lose a fortune doing it. Touring is diferent now..........but yes, we will hang |
| mdrs |
LOL |
| Mac306 |
I have a few questions |
| dgrissom |
come on |
| mdrs |
go ahead Ed |
| zebraprs |
While Ed's typng... do you get out and play in Austin? I will be down there in November... |
| dgrissom |
yes..........usually just siting in nright now. I will be playing with the house band Nov. 4th...................mainly because I am policked out..........and would rather smell some tubes glowing than watch election returns |
| Mac306 |
David when your recording a new project does listining to other players aid or distract you? |
| dgrissom |
I guess I should mention that that would be the Antones house band |
| dgrissom |
Well if I am playing with them I certainly listen intently. Whatever it takes...if you feel like you are in a rut, go back to your favorites and re-visit |
| mdrs |
Do you have more, Ed? |
| eman59 |
doc...let all go to Antone and party |
| dgrissom |
The greatest thing you can strive for is to 'discover' your own voice. We all have one! |
| Mac306 |
true no matter how many times I've listened the allmans at the fillmore east I hear something new. |
| mdrs |
David, is there anything else you'd like to say or discuss? |
| dgrissom |
yeah...and they were so young |
| eman59 |
one of the greatest albums ever |
| Greg_B. |
Right on, once I discovered mine, playing was so much easier. |
| mdrs |
I cut my teeth on that album |
| mdrs |
between Filmore, and eat a peach, you could jam to FOUR SIDES OF THE ALLMANS!! |
| dgrissom |
wel...just that it is an honor to tlak with you guys, and that it is gratifying to know people are out there listening and still moved by musicv |
| mdrs |
And I did....a lot!! LOL |
| eman59 |
by your music |
| mdrs |
David, you move us all. |
| Mac306 |
David let me take this opportunity to thank you for a very memorable experience at the PRS experience |
| eman59 |
Once again...THANKS FOR BEING YOU........ |
| mdrs |
It has been an honor to spend this time with you David. Thank you for being so generous. On behalf of Lee, Craig, myself, and all the members of The String Network, we thank you! |
| zebraprs |
Ditto... |
| Mac306 |
David, still using Dr.Z amps at gigs? |
| Greg_B. |
Yes, thank you very much! |
| mdrs |
And, I'm looking forward to meeting you in person one of these days |
| Greg_B. |
Me too! |
| Craig |
Yes, fantastic of you to share your time with us |
| eman59 |
GREAT PERSON....GREAT TONE.....WE WILL ALL BE AT THE PRS EXPERIENCE NEXT YEAR |
| dgrissom |
I guarantee it was just as memorable for me. Meeting Ed, Eliot, all you guys...................the more we all realize we are part of the same human "thing" the more life takes on meaning for me |
| Mac306 |
Road Trip to Austin!!!!!!!! |
| eman59 |
I'M IN |
| zebraprs |
Week of 11/17.. i am down there. |
| mdrs |
I'll drive |
| eman59 |
Ed...on the bikes ???????? |
| Greg_B. |
Stop by Tulsa on your way and pick me up!!!!!!!!!!! |
| dgrissom |
Opie's BBQ in Spicewood.....on Friday...prime rib and butterbeans |
| Greg_B. |
I'm right on the way about 3 miles off of the interstate!!!!:P |
| mdrs |
oh man, now you're hurting me..... |
| dgrissom |
they usuall run out of prime rib by 1 |
| mdrs |
I'll be there early........ |
| eman59 |
by 12 if i'm there |
| dgrissom |
Thanks guys! |
| mdrs |
Hey, Eliot, don't forget Don-Stock 09 |
| eman59 |
thank you |
| dgrissom |
Adios |
| mdrs |
be there or be square |
| mdrs |
Thank you David, and good night |
| mdrs |
btw....we will post a thread on our forum for any follow up questions for David |
| mdrs |
and the transcript of this chat will be posted for all to see, very shortly |
