Silverwing's Halloween Party at the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, NV

Silverwing rocks the Red Dog

This Saturday, October 26th, Mel Warstler, Mary Warstler, Sean Rold, and Frank Lescher, otherwise known as Silverwing, will be playing a gig at the Red Dog Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada.

Virginia City, a small historic town south of Reno, is the site of the Comstock Lode where during the 1800's millions of dollars of silver was mined.  The silver millionaires from Virginia City basically built San Francisco and VC silver financed the Union during the Civil War, hence our state motto "Battle Born."  The Red Dog Saloon is a great venue with an awesome stage and sound system plus great food, but the Red Dog is not just another bar.  The Red Dog Saloon is significant due to its place in rock and roll history.

The "Red Dog Experience"

I'm sure the building is from the 1800's somewhere, but in 1965 the Red Dog Saloon played a roll in the emerging psychedelic rock scene and the beginnings of the hippie movement.  During that year a group of musicians came together and experienced total musical and artistic freedom with some psychedelic additives, if you get my drift.  Bands like Big Brother and the Holding Company, The Wildflower and The Amazing Charlatans played at the Red Dog creating the psychedelic music, hippie clothing styles and psychedelic artwork known as the "Red Dog Experience." 

These musicians and their style had a direct influence on the hippie movement which erupted during the Summer of Love in 1967 at Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco which led to major changes in social values throughout the US.  The members of The Amazing Charlatans were interviewed about the experiences in the 1996 documentary file, The Life and Times of the Red Dog Saloon. 

So when we take the stage at the Red Dog it is appropriate to have some reverence for the venue and the incredible experience of playing in the same location as Janis Joplin and walking the same floors as the first hippies at the birthplace of psychedelic rock and roll.

References:  Wikipedia and the Red Dog website http://www.reddogvc.com/history.php

About the Author:  Mary Warstler is the rhythm guitar player, back-up singer and co-songwriter for Silverwing, a rockin' country band from Northern Nevada.  Our CD "Moonshine" is available at CD Baby, Amazon and our website www.silverwingband.com  For more music news from Mary check out www.guitarchics.com  If you need content for your website, articles for your blog or extra posts on FB or Twitter contact Mary at maryband_girl@yahoo.com

Mel Warstler the newest DJ at KHWG 750AM, Fallon, NV

The Wild West Show on KHWG

Mel Warstler is the newest DJ at KHWG and if you have heard his show you already know he loves his job, if you can call that a JOB!  Lucky dog, playing music all day long and getting paid. Wow!

Not just a DJ, but a great musician as well

Mel grew up in rural Oregon on a million acre ranch where his father was the irrigation foreman. He was taught to play the guitar by his father and brother Jack. He started his first band at 14 years old, which played at school events. At 16 he was asked to join a band of semi-retired professional musicians as lead guitar player. They taught him a style of country picking which he still uses today.

Regardless of what “job” Mel held from ranch hand to cabinetmaker to stucco contractor, his life has always revolved around playing music. From playing for a few miners at the International Bar in Austin NV, which his brother Jack owned years ago to playing at the Nevada State Fair, Mel has always prided himself on learning his guitar parts note for note. When you hear him play you will not be disappointed.

Mel's in demand as a lead guitar player, but starts his own band Silverwing

While playing all over Northern Nevada and Oregon he has been the lead guitar player and singer in many bands such as Brandywine, Off the Wall, Stillwater Express, Taylor Made, Clear Blue 22 and American Steel. But his greatest accomplishment is his own band Silverwing consisting of Mel on lead guitar and vocals, his wife Mary on rhythm guitar and vocals, Sean Rold on bass and vocals and Frank Lescher on drums.

Silverwing performs in front of thousands

You may have heard Mel play somewhere and not even known it, since Silverwing has played at the Eureka Country Fair, Armed Forces Day, Night in the Country, Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Festival plus numerous farmer's markets, street fairs, bars and parties. But the real highlight for Silverwing was playing for thousands of people at the Pony Express Pavilion and the Reno Livestock Event Center for Sarah Palin in 2008 during both of her campaign stops in Northern Nevada.

 

Buy the Silverwing CD "Moonshine"

You can hear Silverwing's new CD “Moonshine” on KHWG or you can visit the website at www.silverwingband.com to find their schedule. Mel also hosts Karaoke and has DJ'd a few weddings.

Working at KHWG is a dream job for Mel Warstler

Mel would like to thank Ronzo, Latigo, Rebecca and Alex for training him at KHWG. And he would like to thank his listeners for calling in requests and for all the compliments he has received at his new “job.”  You can hear Mel's Wild West Show Tuesday thru Friday from noon to 5pm, streaming live on your computer at http://khwgradio.com/fx/audiostream/player.php

For more info on Mel and the band visit www.silverwingband.com

Silverwing Lite (The Mel & Mary Duo)

Yes, it's a non-band weekend and Mel & I have picked up a duo gig.  Just Mel and I together with our little drum machine.  That's how it all started for me, as a duo.  Well, re-started is more like it.

When we met Mel had been playing for years with different bands all over Northern Nevada, but I hadn't picked up a guitar in years.  I had learned how to play the guitar when I was a teenager.  My brother Kenny had brought home a few guitars and books and we sat in the living room working our way through the chords and notes.  I took guitar lessons for several years also, but then I put the guitar down and didn't pick it up for years.

I discouraged myself.  When I think back now, I realize I was good.  I could read music like nobody's business.  I made it through several Mel Bay levels and could play jazz chords to my teacher's lead playing.  Then I just stopped.  I was a blue, moody teenager and I probably couldn't see what might happen down the road.  So I stopped.

Many years later I meet Mel through some friends.  He's such a nice man and we start to date.  Months went by and one day the light bulb goes on over my head and I remembered "Hey, years ago I knew how to play the guitar!"  It was long forgotten.  When I told Mel, he was less than interested.  After years of people trying to get into his bands, he just nodded politely and changed the subject.  I thought "hum" and let it go.  No big deal. 

Months go by and one day he is hanging out at my house.  I'm cooking a big pot of spaghetti, the kids are playing video games and Mel is playing his guitar at the kitchen table.  It's a good day.  Then the phone rings and it's for Mel.  People knew we were dating and starting calling my place for him.  So I hand him the phone and he hands me his guitar. 

I think to myself "what were the chords to that song?" I start to strum the few things I could remember from years ago, but it was there, hidden back in the depths of my old brain. When Mel put the phone down, he jumps up and says, "Hey, you can play the guitar!!!!"  I said "Yep, I told you that a few months ago."  He says "Yes, but I you can REALLY play."  Then out come the story about how many people kind of exaggerate their skills, so he just smiled at me when I told him that I could play.  He'd heard lots of women say they could sing and ugh, yeah, maybe not so much.  So he's jaded.

But even at that point, I wasn't interested in learning 50 to 100 songs with the band.  I still enjoyed my time at the band table.  I applauded and laughed and hauled gear and typed lots of lyrics.  I had a place and I liked it.

Now years go by and Mel is playing lead for a different band.  He is getting frustrated being a hired gun as they are called.  He's not in charge and it's beginning to get to him for several reasons.  He feeling less than appreciated and I never get to hear him sing cause they never make it to his songs.  Right, sure.  So out of frustration I say, "What are the chords to Boot Scootin Boogie?  I can play that! I'll be your band."

So that's how it started.  I have a steno notebook with chords, a Yamaha keyboard with drum patterns in it and Mel playing lead in the back corner of the Big Horn Saloon.  I forget how long ago that was, maybe 8 to 10 years ago.  The first night we played my 5 co-workers showed up and pulled up chairs right in front of us.  Up close and personal.  I am staring at my steno notebook so I don't screw up the chords, when I look up and they have their lighters up and they are swaying like a crowd at a rock concert.  It was sooooo funny!

From the back of the Big Horn, it's been a wild ride.  Once we played for thousands at a political rally during the 2008 election campaign, but we've also played to two sad lonely drunks who need a ride home.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

So this weekend, it's back to basics.  It's back to the beginning and really I love it.  I like being with Mel. I like the challenge of trying to make two guitars sound good.  My strumming has to be full and confident behind Mel's lead playing.  I have to sing backup and attempt some harmony.  It's a challenge and it's gonna be fun.  It's Silverwing Lite!

Ah, the lazy weekend

That's right, no Silverwing gig this weekend.  What will we do?  Of course, we still host Karaoke on Friday night at our local bar with our buddies.  So, it's not a total lazy weekend, but still no Silverwing gig?  Ugh, I'm having the shakes.

Anyway, Karaoke used to be a forbidden word around our dining room table.  The evil Karaoke singers were going to destroy live music and bands weren't going to be needed and on and on.  We just resented it and were offended by it and now? Guess what?  We run Karaoke!

Are we sell outs?  Perhaps.  Is there a dime to be made with our gear that is sitting idly in the garage? Oh, yes.  But more so, we get it.  Karaoke allows everyone to participate.  It accessible to everyone who has the guts to get up there and open their mouth and squeak out a tune.  For the moment you can be Carrie Underwood or Jon Bon Jovi.  You can get the whole bar to sing Na-na-na-na-na along with Journey to thunderous applause.  Who doesn't love that?

We get it.  It's about everyone and we can all join in.

I personally have become a much better singer since we started running Karaoke.  I am a fair singer, good pitch, fair tone, buy I was shaky and worse yet, I didn't practice.  I didn't open my mouth until we got up there on stage with a crowd in front of us.  Oh my goodness, what was I thinking?  Sometimes it was just really weak and timid, but now I am the queen of Karaoke.

Okay, not really the queen, but I'm part of the crowd.  I have done well on some songs and then I've picked songs that were a total stretch and bombed!  I bombed and did it in front of people and lived to tell the tale.  That's actually helped my singing skills also.  You wouldn't think so, but really butchering a song and laughing at yourself is good for your mental health.  It takes the perfectionism down a notch or two.  People...it's not the end of the world.

Plus, now when I step up to the microphone to sing I have some practice time under my belt.  Just like learning chess, you remember the moves.  My throat remembers the shape that makes that sound.  I've stretched for that note before and I know I can hit it.  I've swooped that country sound before and I can do it again.

So the evil Karaoke has become one of my favorite things.  I have a room full of friends who I encourage with my whooping and applause and they do the same for me, even when I totally, totally ruin some beautiful song, my friends still applaud, gotta love it. 

Silverwing tears it up in Carson City

Hey, well, we really didn't tear up Carson City, but Mel and Sean tore it up on lead guitars and we rocked 'em till they dropped at the Whiskey Tavern.

What a great time!  We really connected with crowd and they bought 5 CD's from us. 

All the original songs went over really well.  One of our original songs, "Who You Are," is a song about a man trying to learn what this girl is all about, so he can get to know her.  It's like a first conversation where the man takes the time to ask the questions.  He wants to know "Who You Are and What You Do," to see if they might be a perfect match.  It's really about Mel and I and how I walked by him and all the other men at a gig and went home alone.  That intrigued him and he wanted to know more about me.  See playing hard to get does really pay off.

But enough about Mel and I, back to the Whiskey Tavern, one of the guys at the bar came up at the end of the night and said that "Who You Are" was a perfect description of him and his girlfriend.  I saw them dancing closely and whispering during the song.  It is very satisfying to know that something I helped write has touched someone.  I hope it inspires them to talk deeply and get to know each other's hearts.

The rest of the crowd was wild and rowdy.  Lots of applause, lots of dancing and at the end of the night several people said we were the best band that had played there.  I am pleased and very grateful.  It always feels so incredible when people appreciate your hard work. 

I know we all felt good about our performance.  Song selection was great, breaks were tight, leads were smoking, singing was spot on!  It was a great time.  We stopped at 1am-ish and tore down and drove an hour to home.  We got home right before the sun started coming up.  Yeah, I love being a musician. 

The next day, when we finally woke up, I was worthless.  Making breakfast at noon just wiped me out.   Would I trade it for a good nights sleep?  Nah, rock star wins!

Visit our website at www.silverwingband.com.  Our original CD "Moonshine" is available at our gigs, the website, CD baby and Amazon.

Next gig for the GuitarChic

My fascination with female musicians is not just some weird quirk.  I am a musician and knowing how challenging it can be to play on stage makes me respect these talented women all the more.

I am part of Silverwing, a rockin' country band based in the Reno, Nevada area.  We play classic and current country music with a few good rock songs thrown in to keep it surprising.  I have played for a few lonely drunks in a tiny bar to thousands of people at a political rally.  It's always fun, even at closing time and the place is emptying out, I still love and appreciate that I get to play music for a living.  It is a blessing in my life.

So where is my next gig?  The Whiskey Tavern in Carson City, NV.  It should be a great time.  Looks like they have a good crowd with lots of Facebook followers.  They approached us in Virginia City on the Fourth of July and immediately wanted to hire us.  Very cool, that's a nice compliment.

So Saturday is gig day.  We start playing at 9pm, but we live an hour away, so we actually have to start our "job" earlier in the afternoon, when we load the gear into the pick-up truck.  Gotta bring it all, don't want to be an hour away from home and forget one chord, ugh.  So it's personal gear, like guitars, stands, microphones, amplifiers and tuners plus PA gear like mixer board, power conditioners, more chords and lots of speakers. 

I don't sit by watching my husband loading gear, frightened to break a nail, I jump into the back of the pickup and organize all the stuff.  It's like the old video game Tetrus, putting all these amps, boxes, speakers and guitars into a nice little package in the bed of the pickup. 

We gotta get there early enough to set up and sound check, so when we turn it on, it sounds good right off the bat.  Each room is different.  What worked great at the last gig, could be a real disaster at the next gig.  We go from outdoor gigs, to small rooms, to large rooms and everything needs to be adjusted for the unique situation.  Plus, you don't want to be rushed and chaotic.  So after the sound check we need time to relax and kick back just a bit.

You'd think I would be nervous, but it rarely crosses my mind.  I was so shy growing up, that even I am amazed by how cool, calm and collected I am when I'm getting up on stage in front of people and singing.  Recently we played a wedding.  The first song was the couple's first dance and the first note of that song, was me singing with no music behind me, HUH? What!  I admit I was shaking, but, I did great. Yeah!

So, that's why I am a great fan of female musicians.  I am just a part of a band.  I can't imagine how it would feel to step up and be the focal point, to keep a crowd entertained for an evening.  Wow, these women are my idols.

Please stop by my website www.guitarchics.com and learn a few interesting facts about my favorite female musicians.  The site will be growing each week, so come back often.  Also, check out our band at www.silverwingband.com, that's me right in the middle.  Our CD "Moonshine" is available at our gigs, our website, CDbaby and Amazon.com.

GuitarChics is Alive and Well

My website, www.guitarchics.com, is finally active on the Internet.  It's has been a personal challenge for me, but it is working and I will be adding to it weekly for the rest of my days.

My hope with GuitarChics is to introduce people to the stories of women who have made a living in the music industry.  Whether they are headlining in a stadium, playing in a coffee shop or teaching young children how to play, I want to share their stories.  The stories that encourage and inspire young women to pursue their hopes and dreams.  I want guitarchics to be a Power of Positive Thinking with musicians as our role models.

It's dear to my heart because I play rhythm guitar in Silverwing, a rockin country band from Northern Nevada.  I have played to thousands in a convention center and to a few in an empty bar at closing time, but regardless, it's always showtime.  It's my "job" to do my best, to reach down and give you my heart even if it's time to turn off the neon lights and head home and I love my "job."

So stop by www.guitarchics.com and read up the bios that I have completed so far.  Check back each week to see what else I have added.  If you have an idea of a great female musician that should be added to the site, send me an email at maryband_girl@yahoo.com with "Guitarchics" in the title.  I'll do my best to get that person included.

Get Silverwing's first CD of original music at www.silverwingband.com.  It's fun and I'm very proud of it, since I wrote a lot of the lyrics, played guitar and my husband wrote the music and played a bunch of instruments.

Silverwing's Lead Guitarist Wins MXL Mic Contest

Congratulations to

the Lead Guitar Player for Silverwing,
Mel Warstler,

for entering and winning the MXL Mic Contest. 

His prize is the newest in the MXL line of studio Mics the

 MXL Cr 30.

MXL Cr 30 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

The MXL Cr30 has a small profile body with a sleek black chrome finish. It features a 32mm large diaphragm capsule with a fixed cardioid pattern, and a low noise FET preamp with fully balanced transformerless output. In addition it has a 3 position pad (pre attenuation) switch with settings of 0dB, -10dB and -20dB. The Cr30 delivers power and depth to vocals, as well as capturing the clarity and smoothness of instrumental performances. Wired with Mogami cable, the Cr30's fidelity and versatility will ensure it is a favorite in your studio. 
Photo and description courtesy of MXL Microphones www.mxlmics.com

Mel's winning photo received the most votes during the contest.  The title of the photo is

"Bouquet of Mics Used on Silverwing's new CD Moonshine."

                                


Overhead Left to Right:

The MXL 991 is a superior instrument microphone designed for recording acoustic guitar and drum overheads and is part of the very popular MXL 990/991 package.
The MXL 551 instrument microphone provides the dynamic range needed for acoustic guitars, drums, high-hat cymbals, pianos, percussion, stringed instruments and more and is part of the MXL 550/551 package.


Below Left to Right:

The MXL 990 offers a silky, sweet high end and a tight solid bass, perfect for recording vocals.
The MXL 550 is a robust vocal condenser microphone with exceptional clarity and tonal quality         The MXL V250 was used for vocals. 
The Guitar Cube was placed in front of the cabinet for the electric guitar tracks. 
The R70 Ribbon Mic was used for vocals.

A later purchase, not included in picture, was the ribbon mic R144.  Incorporating a Figure-8 polar pattern and a 1.8-micron aluminum ribbon, the MXL R144 offers breathtaking sound for vocal and instrument recordings and is an excellent microphone for broadcast applications. The R144 also performs brilliantly on acoustic instruments, strings, and horns and offers high SPL capability, outstanding side rejection and precise directivity.

Descriptions of mics courtesy of www.mxlmics.com


Our finished product is Moonshine by Silverwing, a collection of our original music.  The instrument mics were used for recording the Dobro on "Moonshine" and "Wave Your Flag," the Ukelele on "Toes in the Sand," the Classical Guitar on "Where do Old Cowboys Go" and the Mandolin on "Wide Open Spaces."  The Guitar Cube was used for picking up the amps and the electric guitars.  The R144 and R70 were used for the vocals. The CD is available at our website and at CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/silverwing.


About the author:  Mary Warstler (the Guitarchic) is the rhythm guitar player, wanna-be bass player, back up vocalist and co-songwriter for Silverwing a rockin' country band from Northern Nevada which respects it's roots, but pushes the limits on rockin out.  Our CD "Moonshine" is available at CD Baby, Amazon, and our website.  Check out Silverwing at www.silverwingband.com and like us on Facebook.  Connect to Mary at Guitarchics at Twitter for the latest news on Silverwing.

Silverwing Rocks Virginia City

My band Silverwing had a great time playing this last Saturday night at the Ponderosa Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada.  We had a large turnout of dancers from both Carson City and Reno who came all the way up to Mt Davidson along the dark winding Geiger Grade from Reno or Six Mile Canyon Road to enjoy some music and have a good time with Silverwing.

We sold 10 CD's to new fans who enjoyed the originals that we throw into our sets.  Our title song "Moonshine" is a southern rocker, if you loved 38 Special, you'll like it and "Wide Open Spaces" is a tribute to Mel's father and his western upbringing.  But you don't have to come to a gig to get a copy, you can download the entire CD or a few songs at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/silverwing

If you are a county dancer you will enjoy "Who You Are" which is a cha-cha similar to Neon Moon and if you are a city dweller listen to "Rodeo" to get a feel for the western lifestyle. If you are proud patriotic American listen to  "Wave Your Flag."  I think it should become the Tea Party anthem.  We get lots of compliments on the CD, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Downloading the music is easy at  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/silverwing

Our next gig will be back home in Fallon, but it's always a treat to go to Virginia City.

Virginia City was the site of the Comstock Lode. During it's heyday in the 1860's about $300 million dollars worth of gold and silver was mined here.  The town boomed with gambling halls, bars, and banks.  The ore mined here helped fund the US Govt during the Civil War, hence our state motto "Battle Born."  Though many years have passed since it was a bustling wild west town, the locals have maintained it.  You can truly step back in time in Virginia City.

Walk along wooden sidewalks, sleep in victorian hotels, drink at historic bars, go on a mining tour, visit Pipers Opera House where Mark Twain gave a speech while he was living in VC and working as a reporter for The Territorial Enterprise and stop by the Forth Ward School where the children of miners studied together and is now a museum. 

In 2009 Virginia City is was given a "Distinctive Destination Award" from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  And of course for anyone old enough to remember the TV show Bonanza, Virginia City is where Hoss and Little Joe went to call-on pretty girls, ooops, I mean they fought with bad guys and ran them out of town.

 

The Ponderosa Saloon where we play music was the original Bank of California building where William Sharon helped finance the mines around VC, and of course foreclosed on them as well.  The bank vault still stands in the middle of the bar and in the back of the building is the entrance to the Best & Belcher Underground Mine Tour.  Take a tour and get a feel for the hard lives of the miners.

Currently Virginia City is busy with events and entertainment.  There are many festivals held here such as the Americana Music Festival, Steampunk Ball, Comstock Civil War Days, Camel Races and great holiday events for 4th of July, Holloween and Christmas on the Comstock.  Check out all the action at  www.visitvirginiacitynv.com.

Silverwing's next gig will be at Boomer's Bar in Fallon.  Check out our schedule at www.silverwingband.com and "Like" us on Facebook.  We love to talk to fans.

Silverwing is a four piece country band, but we rock it up ALOT.  Of course, we play the classics, a few Merle Haggard, George Jones, Johnny Cash and a Waylon or two, but we also push it with some Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and now Brantley Gilbert. That is some intense stuff with some rockin' guitar riffs.  (I need to get my Strat back out of the case for those!) 

So, stop by CD Baby and download Silverwing's new CD "Moonshine."  You will enjoy it and downloading is simple at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/silverwing
I am going to give a free Silverwing T-shirt to the first person to download the CD and leave us a review at the CD Baby site.  Get to ordering!!!!  So I can mail out this T-shirt!

About the Author:  Mary Warstler is the rhythm guitar player, singer, lyric writer and wannabe bass player for Northern Nevada's best kept secret, Silverwing, a rockin' country band that stays true to it's roots while pushing the limits of rockin' fun.  Silverwing's CD of original music called "Moonshine" is available at our gigs, our website, at CD Baby and at Amazon.  Come by and visit us at www.silverwingband.com and come "Like" us on Facebook.  We love our fans! 

Orianthi receives award at 2013 NAMM Trade Show

Right now one of the hottest, rockin-est female guitar players on the music scene has to be Orianthi.

 

Photo courtesy of Dave Stewart

 

If you are not familiar with this guitar goddess feel free to view this tasty video of Ori trading licks with Steve Vai in “Highly Strung.” I'm sure you will be impressed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7b-_YcACuQ&feature=share&list=UUlFyN-SOQEK5QK9wodHQFeg

Orianthi (Panagaris) born was in Australia in 1985 and grew up in a home filled with music. She learned to play the acoustic guitar at 6 and moved to the electric guitar at around 9 years old. She was playing with bands at 14 and had the incredible experience of playing for Steve Vai at 15. Orianthi became interested in Carlos Santana's music and bought all his videos. She studied them over and over till the tapes were worn out and her dedication paid off. When Orianthi was 18 she got the opportunity to jam with Carlos and later he invited her up on stage where she played for about a half-hour.

Later, Carlos Santana brought her to the attention of Paul Reed Smith and she signed an endorsement agreement with his guitar brand. In 2006 she signed with Geffen Records. She has played at Eric Clapton's Crossroads and opened for Steve Vai. Orianthi was the lead guitar player for Carrie Underwood at the 51^st Grammy performance of “Last Name.” That performance caught the attention of Michael Jackson who hired her to be his guitarist for the This Is It tour which never took place due to his passing

In 2005 she released her first album Violet Journey.  On the album, Orianthi wrote all the music and lyrics, plus contributed guitar, drums and vocal tracks as well as doing the mixing in her home studio.
In 2009 she released the album Believe with the hit “According to You” which she performed in March 2010 on American Idol.

Right now Orianthi is tearing it up on tour with Alice Cooper. She has the honor of being the first female member of Alice Cooper's band. In a quote about her debut performance with Alice Cooper's band, a fan said “she gave a blistering performance....she's worthy, she's worthy.”

At this year's National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) trade show Orianthi will be receiving the “She Rocks” award from the Women's International Music Network.

On March 12^th her new album Heaven in this Hell will be issued. Check her out as she performs the single “Frozen” on Fox News. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cLZSn4B7uQ&feature=youtu.be
 

In a quote from the website "Weekly," Orianthi says, ”I hope to inspire a lot more female guitar players. Just pick it up and keep on going. Even though it's a guy thing, it'll be really cool to see more girls out there kicking butt and rocking out”

And since INSPIRATION is what GuitarChics is all about, let Orianthi's story inspire you to be dedicated to YOUR passion, whether it's guitar playing or basketball or ballet. Become committed to your personal interests and maybe you will be blessed with good luck and great opportunities.

But you'll never get there if you don't put in the effort!

Silverwing's Mini-Vacation

Silverwing Band takes a mini-vacation

Well, January has been a slow month for Silverwing.  I think we played just about every weekend from July all the way to New Year's Eve.  But January only has one gig in it.  I'm going through withdrawals.  What will I do with all that time on my hands?

So during our mini-unexpected-vacation there are a few things the band is going to do:

Market our new CD "Moonshine"
The CD was printed at Disc Makers and it available at CD Baby, Amazon, our website and a few other outlets, but if no one knows about it, we won't have any sales.  So we did a great radio interview at the local country radio station, KHWG 750AM, Fallon, Nevada.  Ronzo, the morning DJ, invited us into the studio and between playing some of the songs, he asked each of us a few questions.  I won't deny it was nerve-wracking, but it's all part of the joy of getting to play music for a living.

Learn a few new cover songs
It's a good idea to keep the set list fresh, so we each picked out a new song to add to the set list.  Since we are a rockin' country bar band, we normally play from 8pm to midnight.  Four hours can be a long time and playing the same old set in the same old order can start to make the night drag.  So bringing in something new is a good idea.  I'm not sure the dancers always appreciate the effort it takes, but we are proud of ourselves even if the dancers have to go home and learn a few new steps off of YouTube.  It's good for them!

Work up some new material for the next CD
Silverwing can't sit around and wait for "Moonshine" to become a big seller.  We need to work on the next CD while we promote this one.  At this point we have a bunch of half completed tunes, some with no lyrics, some just a hook and a lead.  It's time to decide on our favorites and focus on completing them for the next CD.  Mel is going to get a CD together of snippets of songs and have each of us decide on our own which ones have the most promise.  Hopefully we can come to a consensus on about 10 or 12 songs.  Then we need to complete them and record them.  It's intimidating to create.  In Twyla Tharp's "The Creative Habit" she discusses the white room with nothing in it and how challenging it is.  Well that is the challenge of completing songs, can I make the lyrics better?  Is this good enough? Should I toss it in the trash and go sell french fries cause I am terrible?  Oh, the mind can think some terrible stuff. 

So our mini-vacation from playing gigs is going to be very busy and I'm happy about that. Playing music is so satisfying and as a formerly shy person it has changed my life.

Check out the CD "Moonshine" by Silverwing at CD Baby. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/silverwing You can purchase the whole CD with the nifty art work or download one song at a time.  If you know an old cowboy, he'll probably love "Wide Open Spaces"  It is a crowd pleaser.

Stop by the website and leave us a message at www.silverwingband.com.  Check out our schedule for a gig near you. 

Thanks,
Mary Warstler, rhythm guitar player and songwriter