Hey Guys,
If you will permit me to babble a second regarding Bass Player Live and the Fender Bass Bash I got to go too. First of All Thanks to my Friend and Boss Beaver Felton For Sending me as a representitive for Bass Central. Secondly, thanks to Alan Pitter, Don Gaddy ,Jay Piccirillo and Emery Fry of Fender for inviting me and providing an incredible opportunity for me. Also All the Dealers who joined me on this journey. Jim from the Atlanta Bass Gallery, Lee from the Bass Place, Brandt From the Perfect Bass, were just a few.(Forgive me for not rembering everyone). All were there in a common spirit, not a competitive one. Not to mention Grasshopper, Ed ,Daniel and Keith for absorbing my workload so i could attend.I am going to post various pictures on our website from the event.
www.Basscentral.com. Being a Fender Player for 20 Plus years now, It is hard for me to put into words what it felt like to tour the Fender Center and see the historical record that is there. It was an incredibly humbling event to say the least to see the legacy fully documented and on display. To say there is a "Fender Sound", is really understating things I believe. There is a Legacy that has been handed down to all Bass players,Luthiers, by Leo Fender that we must never forget. In the day and age of so many great instruments being made by so many great luthiers, Dare we forget the man who Started All this??? I think not..
I got to see some incredible players as well. Joining us on the Bus ride were 17 year old Joshua Crumbly and his Mom and Dad, Mel Brown, and Frank Bello to name a few. But Two guys stood out for me personally and that was The Legendary Bob Babbitt and Bobby Vega. As for Bobby, he is an incredible player and talent that everyone should get to listen to a whole lot more!!!! he is extrememly kind and humble and a wonderful human being. this brings me to Bob Babbitt. I am sure he would permit me to say the following with great respect and admiration. Bob Babbitt is who Leo Fender had in mind when he came up with the Fender Bass. He did a clinic at Bass Player Live that was both moving and informative. With Such great players as Hadrien Feraud, Dominic Dipiazza, Tal Wilkenfield, Marco Mendoza, Jeff Berlin, Steve Bailey and numerous others represented, Bob showed all of us how powerful "Bass Playing" as it used to be defined can be. At his clinic, he played "what's going on" by Marvin Gaye and had the Entire Clinic singing the lyrics.Not just one person, The Whole Room!!!! It was a nod to a very powerful time in music and made me remember how powerful playing "Bass" can be. thanks Bob Babbitt for Reminding me, And thanks Leo Fender for providing me with a vehicle to drive my vision!!!!
