Our next clinic will be "Basic Amp Problems and Solutions," hosted on the third Sunday of January at the Candlelight Café & Bar. Our esteemed hosts will be Jim (Opie) Kust and Jeff Young (from downtown's very own Old Town Music!) Both Jim and Jeff have many years experience in amplifier repairs and restorations. In fact, Jim Kust has developed a line of amplifiers that are becoming very sought after here in town, "Opie-Lux Amps." Many good players are using them (harpist extraordinaire Tim O'Hare is one!), and he has built a good reputation for restoring vintage amps as well. Jeff Young has the distinction of being a touring artist, instrument and amp repair and renovations man. He is so sought after as an amp renovation guy that when he is on tour, the work stacks up to several months' worth in just a week! Jeff and Jim have both repaired and restored my own amplifiers, so I know they are great technicians.

    I will be asking for donations at the December and January meetings to pay these guys for their time. We will be taking December off and are staggering the clinics to be paid by donations from the membership. It is only through your kindness that we are able to offer the clinics at all! Thanks to the many of you who are ever ready to support us (Hollywood Burger Bar, our pals in Independence, and so many more). Your support of the BIS and Third Sunday Clinics allows us to educate and share this wonderful thing we call the Blues! You can always make a tax deductible check payable to BIS or Third Sunday Clinics for any amount to help the programs out. I donate my P.A., time, and service for free.

    Look for a clinic from David Moore on music theory, which he's donating to the CBA! We will be using music educator Pat Missin as consultant, and I will ask for donations from the members to pay Pat. Other future clinics include Ken Johnson, Dave Kahl, Albert Reda, and others TBA.

Until the next time,