Shawn's Guitar Lessons

I had a blast at The Keys Grill and Piano Bar last night. I'll be back with the band on July 26! Next stop, Low-Key Hideaway 5:30-8:30pm.

Willie Nelson is giving back to traveling musicians in a big way.

HEY LOCO FANS - On July 5th, 1954, Elvis Presley recorded the Aurther “Big Boy” Crudup song "That's Alright Mama". The song was written by Crudup, and originally recorded by him in Chicago on September 6, 1946, as "That's All Right". Some of the lyrics are traditional blues verses first recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1926. Crudup's recording was released as a single in 1947 but was less successful than some of his previous recordings.

This was Elvis' first single, and it came out of his first recording session. Elvis was a 19-year-old truck driver when he came to Sun Records in Memphis to record a song as a gift for his mother. Sun was owned by Sam Phillips, who his assistant, Marion Keiser, knew was looking for a "white man who sounds like a black man." She alerted her boss to Elvis, and Phillips arranged some sessions with some local session players: bassist Bill Black and guitarist Scotty Moore.

The trio tried a few different songs in various styles, finally hitting the mark when they informally started playing Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's obscure 1946 blues song "That's All Right," in a fast, innovative style. Phillips liked what he heard and had them record the song this way.

After the recording session, Sam Philips delivered a copy to the local disc jockey Dewey Phillips (no relation) at WHBQ. On July 8, Dewey became the first DJ to play an Elvis song when he gave it a spin on his Red, Hot & Blue show. It got a huge response, so played it several more times and eventually brought Elvis in for an interview.

Dewey Phillips was a pioneering DJ who played a mix of black and white music that attracted a large and diverse following. After he started playing "That's Alright Mama," it quickly caught on in Memphis and went national, setting the stage for Elvis' rapid rise.

According to Scotty Moore, this session wasn't so smooth. He says Elvis started jumping around, "acting the fool," which drew the ire of Sam Phillips, who made them start over. It was this second take that was the keeper.

Here we go! I'm at the Alachua County Library District HQ teaching a free guitar class from 4-5pm.
Just take the elevator to the fourth floor and come on in.

Today. 🎶

Join Shawn Manley in this interactive program to help you grow your guitar skills at Headquarters Library. This session focuses on the basics and is perfect for beginners or anyone looking to refresh or hone their skills.

Beginner Guitar Lessons with Shawn Manley on Tuesdays, June 4 and July 2, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Headquarters Library.

Setting up! Free Guitar Classes at the Tower Rd Library today.
Beginner 1pm
Intermediate To Advanced 2:15-3:15pm

Bring a guitar!

Did you hear?
Free Guitar Classes this Sunday at the Tower Rd Library.

Beginner 1pm
Intermediate To Advanced 2:15pm

Bring your own guitar, spare instruments are limited.

Looking for sponsors for my free guitar classes, to help spread the word about this great resource. You can get your business name in radio ads, fliers, and promo. Please send me a message if you're interested. Or email: [email protected]

All contributions will go straight to advertising these classes, so more people can find out about them.

Facebook alone hasn't helped me reach an audience. The last guitar class had zero attendance, so I want to give radio advertising a try.

A few more free guitar classes coming up. This Sunday at the Tower Rd Branch Library.
Beginner Guitar 1 - 2 pm
Intermediate To Advanced 2:15 pm

Then on Tuesday at the Library HQ
Beginner Guitar 4 - 5 pm

All ages are welcome. Please, bring your own guitar, spare instruments are limited. Ukuleles and bass guitars are also welcome.

Free Guitar Classes today at the Tower Rd Branch Library. Beginner at 1pm
Intermediate To Advanced 2:15pm.

Join Shawn Manley in this interactive program to help you grow your guitar skills at Tower Road Branch. The first session focuses on the basics and is perfect for beginners while the second focuses on more advanced techniques. Please bring your own guitar. Space is limited to 20 seats, so register today!

Beginner Guitar Lessons with Shawn Manley on Sundays, June 23 & 30, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Tower Road Branch.

Intermediate Guitar Lessons with Shawn Manley on Sundays, June 23 & 30, from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at Tower Road Branch.

Register: bit.ly/ShawnManleyGuitarLessons

SMASHING PUMPKINS’ new guitarist Kiki Wong speaks out after first shows with the band: “Someone pinch me.”

After Jeff Schroeder announced he was leaving the band back in October of last year, the Smashing Pumpkins held an open casting call to fill the role, which led them to receive over 10,000 applications. After narrowing down the large pool of applicants, and holding in person auditions, the band announced in April that Wong was chosen to be their new guitarist.

Earlier this month, Smashing Pumpkins kicked off their first set of shows with Wong in the UK during their joint tour with Weezer. Shortly after her first show, she took to Instagram to reflect on her new gig as guitarist for the iconic band:

“What an absolute mind-blowing experience it was for Smashing Pumpkins’ first show of the tour at the Utilita Arena Birmingham… I am so overwhelmed with excitement. It was such an honor to play my first arena on guitar with such an incredible group of musicians. Someone pinch me, actually don’t because I want to keep living this dream.”

Photo from Kiki Wong’s Instagram

Getting ready for class!
Alachua County Library District Headquarters 4-5pm.
It's free! 🎶

Metronome online.
click-click...

Metronome On Google

FREE BEGINNER GUITAR CLASS at the library headquarters tomorrow at 4pm. Please bring along your own guitar. Spare instruments are limited.

Beginner Guitar Lessons with Shawn Manley Join Shawn in this interactive program that will help to grow your guitar skills. This session focuses on the basics and is perfect for the beginner or anyone looking to refresh or hone their skills.

You ever wonder about making a diy riser for your drummer? 🤔

Best Drum Riser for Touring Bands (Live Sound Vlog 4) Check out this cool DIY drum riser built by Division Street BandCheck out their socials here https://www.facebook.com/thedivisionstreetband

"Time" by Pink Floyd comes to mind when I see this chord.

This Dmaj7 chord can be played with a single barred finger, and is a great shape to know. This chord works beautifully as the I chord in the key of D Major, or the 4 chord in the key of A Major, and can add a touch of class and depth to your progressions.

To find this interactive diagram, check out the lessons and chord dictionaries at GuitarThinker.com, and be sure to try today's Daily Quiz.

At the tender age of 14, Lester William Polsfuss – better known as Les Paul – was already a master of his craft. In 1929, he invented and patented a rack for harmonica holders that would become an essential tool in modern music production. But this was only the beginning of his illustrious career. A true pioneer of rock 'n' roll, Les Paul revolutionized the world of guitar playing with his invention of the solid-body electric guitar. He also wrote some of the most iconic songs in American music history, such as "How High the Moon" and "Vaya Con Dios". His legacy lives on today through his timeless contributions to the art form.

Sam Ash Begins Closing Stores