His resume is incredibly impressive too. I highly recommend everyone hightail to his website and check out all the work he's done. Ricky Nelson, Elvis, EmmyLou Harris & The Hot Band, it just goes on and on. I love his work with Gram Parsons. Plus, it's just an amazing experience to get guitars into the hands of young aspiring musicians. you could not find a better cause.

Hey Tony, a local FM station here in Fort Worth is tell folks about the 7K guitarist event. I heard a spot for it twice yesterday. I wouldn't be surprized to see James knock the record out of the park. I wish I could come and bring my three kids. The drive would be doable, but I have to work.

Yes, he's been doing a lot of TV spots. This will be my last post until I get back on Monday. I gave my laptop to my oldest grandson, so I won't have a computer to post pictures each day.

I almost had to cancel this trip, my mom was admitted to the hospital yesterday. She's diabetic and her sugar level was low, she's doing fine now.

I'm going with my friend Travis, he gave me my first guitar back in '72. We're leaving after work tomorrow and will stop in Bowling Green KY for the night. The next day we'll stop in Jackson TN, the home of Carl Perkins, and where there is a great guitar shop, Player Guitars
http://www.playerguitars.com/, owned by our friend Hollis. The shop is also a mini-Carl Perkins' museum.

We will also stop at The Rockabilly Hall of Fame http://www.rockabillyhall.com/. I called my friend Steve Cropper, and we may stop and see him in Memphis before heading down to Shreveport.

_________________
Tony Houston

Alas, the world record for largest guitar ensemble was not broken Saturday afternoon at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, but we had fun.

Here is the official video link http://www.necn.com/Boston/Arts-Entertainment/2009/08/23/Failed-attempt-to-break/1251049193.html.

Here are the links to the video footage I shot:

Part 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-tIznFIVhA

Part 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHotQo4kr_M

Part 3 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8DfnssUynw.

Yes, the sound is crappy due to my cheap digital camcorder.

_________________
Tony Houston

Well Tony, you may not have made Guinness, but you made our local Sunday paper

From the Sacramento Bee (and probably alot of other papers):


Wendi Hebert, center, plays along with about 800 people in an attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records at Hirsch Memorial Coliseum in Shreveport, La., Saturday, Aug. 22, 2009. James Burton, who is known for working with the Elvis Presley and Ricky Nelson bands, led the ensemble of guitar players in a celebration of his 70th birthday Friday, but failed in his attempt to make the Guinness Book of World Records.

_________________
“All music is folk music, I ain't never heard no horse sing a song.” Louis Armstrong

I wonder if the economy and the choice of a small, remote location doomed the effort. If you did this in a place like NYC or Chicago there would be lots more people who would not have to travel. Or try it in Las Vegas that has $99 air fare deals so guitarist from all over the country could attend.

It was news in many newspapers around the country.



Shreveport is not that remote, but I'm sure the economy played a factor. Our hotel wasn't nearly as booked as the first fest.

_________________
Tony Houston