The Fretboard Journal celebrated its seventh anniversary with a private party for magazine readers, contributors and staff members in Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood on October 17, 2012. Party goers witnessed intimate performances by Bill Frisell, Orville Johnson, Eric Skye, Reignwolf and Chris Ballew (Presidents of the United States of America). Also on-hand were legendary luthiers, including Roy McAlister, Frank Montuoro, Steve Andersen and Michael Gurian. It was a stellar evening of great music and fun that we hope to replicate soon for subscribers in other parts of the country.
The party featured guitar-themed cocktails, including the Neck Reset, the Gibbons and the Sloe Gin Frisell.
Portland, Oregon fingerstyle virtuoso Eric Skye performed on his signature model Santa Cruz guitar.
Numerous readers brought their favorite guitars to the party. Here’s a new creation from Creston Electrics, a Tele with a B-Bender and a unique paint job from artist Sarah Ryan.
When Reignwolf and Chris Ballew joined forces onstage, the party was in full swing. It was an electric mandolin and three-string guitar blues explosion.
Billy Stapleton, co-founder of Bananas-at-Large music store in the Bay Area, performing onstage at the FJ party.
Local luthier J. Hargreaves playing with his trio.
FJ contributor (and editor of the Flyfish Journal) Steve Duda and the FJ’s Ryan Richter.
The crowd swelled to over 100 FJ faithfuls. Not bad for a tiny room on a Wednesday night in Seattle.
FJ publisher Jason Verlinde introduces the evening’s first performance, guitarists Bill Frisell and Gregg Belisle-Chi.
Bill Frisell and Gregg Belisle-Chi perform an impromptu set of music. Frisell plays a brand new double-top archtop guitar from luthier Steve Andersen.
