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Rest In Peace, Dr. Purcell.  

Dr. Ron Purcell passed away Wednesday, apparently from complications arising from a stroke.   For those of us that were lucky enough to know Dr. Purcell, whether a friend or student, have lost a great teacher, mentor and companion on this journey.  I was fortunate enough to study under Dr. Purcell for a couple years at Cal State Northridge a few years back.  In fact, he was the sole reason I was accepted to the program from what I recall.  My audition pieces consisted of a few tab pieces in Guitar World magazine, and “Dee” by Randy Rhodes.  He told me a while after that although I was a long way off of their typical audition, he saw something in my playing and the department took a shot.  I never did become a professional performer, but that road of study shaped the person I would become in many ways beyond my coursework.  I’ll never forget my lessons, nor the things I learned from Dr. Purcell.  Compassion, humor, history, poetry, professionalism, and more.  What better than a legacy of generation after generation shaped by his passion for a guitar and life.  (Click on the picture for a rundown of the man’s career.  Not many have the impact he did).  Come to think of it, its hard to picture the man without a smile on his face.  

May your find yourself well in your next journey, Dr. Purcell.  You will be missed.  

Finally got around to watching The Right Stuff the other night.  It’s amazing to me the lives some people are able to pull off.  Military test pilots, not only willing to push the limits of human endurance and innovation every day, but actually standing in line and fighting for a chance to go head first into situations with a 25% mortality rate.  Makes me look back to a time that although I didn’t witness, I can steal some values and ideals from… especially in the political and economic times most of our country and world are in right now.  Sometimes you just need to stand up and take a shot.. you might surprise yourself.  

On a roll now… my dad is cranking out at the Ferrante Guitars shop.  7 fingerboards cut yesterday.  From L to R… Cocobolo, 2 Wenge, 4 Maple boards… unbelievable grain patterns on each, and rumor has it there is a sap marked piece of Cocobolo on hold for my first custom build.