July 14 Update from the CGT

CGT Update: Monday, 14 July, 1997

From: Paul Richards
Subject: CGT and John McLaughlin

Hello All,

The California Guitar Trio has just finished a 6 week project which included the East Coast tour with the Trey Gunn Band, 2 weeks recording for the new CGT album at a small chapel in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a spectacular gig in Quebec City, Canada with John McLaughlin.

Thanks to all those who came to see and hear the CGT / Trey Gunn tour on the East Coast. We plan on doing more touring together, possibly on the West Coast (of the USA) this coming fall. If any of you have suggestions for good venues for this tour, please email me the info...

The CGT has completed the recording for our new CD. We recorded everything using our new custom built Somogyi CGT Model Guitars in an old chapel that has been converted into a recording soundstage. What a great sound!!! We have sent the tapes off to England for David Singleton, Robert Fripp and Bert Lams to listen to and begin the mixing and mastering process. Hopefully we will have a new album available in the not too distant future!!!

On June 29th, we did a big show with John McLaughlin in Quebec City, Canada. The concert was at an outdoor stage in a large park near the old part of town. Before the gig, I was on the side of the stage with my guitar around my neck, getting ready for sound check. John McLaughlin walked over to me and was curiously looking at my guitar. I nervously introduced myself, Bert and Hideyo and then he asked where we were from. McLaughlin stuck out his finger and strummed the open strings on my guitar with a puzzled look on his face (Normally I am not so keen on people poking at my guitar, but hey, this was John McLaughlin!). I began to explain that we used a different tuning, as he walked away he said something about the regular tuning being enough for him.

The CGT was well received by the crowd of nearly 6000 people. We played fairly well, but it can be very distracting performing to such large crowds... lots of people taking pictures, talking and mulling around... very dispersed, hard to focus. After our set, back by the dressing rooms, McLaughlin gave me a pat on the back, although I don't know if he actually heard anything we played.

When our new album is released, we will be doing a fair amount of touring. We are especially interested in performing in places that we have not gone before. If any of you have good suggestions or know promoters that would be interested in having us, please contact me or our management (DGM) at call DGM at 213-386-3900 or fax 213-386-6005.

take care, Paul Richards