Although many of you know me simply as your peacemaking banjo player, I have had several other roles in life.
Being a special needs educator pretty much tops my list of accomplishments, but another achievement that I'm very well pleased with, was that I was given the honor and the opportunity to serve the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum as "Guitar Guy Gary".
Since before the Hall opened, I've been involved with the guitars of the stars there, helping to make sure they were prepped and ready for show and tell when the Hall opened back in 1995.
One thing that I always advocated with the Hall was that they have a hands-on component with the instruments of Rock; allowing young people to hold and play guitars that were just like their heroes played. Unfortunately, for many years, that was missing from the exhibits, but no more.
Now, you can take the kids down to the Hall and there's a huge interactive area where everyone can handle AND PLAY guitars like the stars used. Not only that, there are interactive how-to screens that show beginners and beyonders of all ages how to get started!
There's a acoustic lounge area too, where you can sit on comfy overstuffed furniture and jam to your heart's content, (guitars provided!) and for me, best of all, there's a built-in garage where you can jam with others, just like we did here in Lakewood a half-century ago! Yup, all the instruments and amps are set up, ready to plug in and play!
The only thing I noticed when I was testing all this out for you was that the cops didn't come.
So, they did not officially call it "Guitar Guy Gary's Garage", but... with a huge smile on my face, I'd like to invite those of you who are into music (especially if you have kids) to tootle down to the Rock Hall over the holidays and mosey up to the second floor. Grab a guitar, sit in on the drums, and LET'S ROCK!!!!!!!!
Spiked hair optional, especially in my case.
Back to the BEAT!!!!!!