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Old 04-09-2018, 07:17 PM
ifret ifret is offline
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Default Kalamazoo Gals

I'm about 1/2 way through reading Kalamazoo Gals, by John Thomas. So far, it is an interesting read. I'm learning some history that I never knew, which means even more having grown up and worked my career 75 miles from K-zoo (as we call it). Surely a proud heritage for Gibson and Gibson guitar owners.
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Old 04-09-2018, 11:15 PM
Looburst Looburst is offline
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Yeah, it's great read and kudos again to John Thomas for thinking of, researching and ultimately writing this book. Those of us that own a few of these old Banner guitars are forever in debt to John for clearing up the false claims made by Julius Belson, a long time employee and historian for the Gibson company, concerning the war years build numbers.
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Old 04-10-2018, 05:03 AM
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Bob Womack Bob Womack is offline
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Oh, and John Thomas is a member here...

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Old 04-10-2018, 08:38 AM
jt1 jt1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frets4fun View Post
I'm about 1/2 way through reading Kalamazoo Gals, by John Thomas. So far, it is an interesting read. I'm learning some history that I never knew, which means even more having grown up and worked my career 75 miles from K-zoo (as we call it). Surely a proud heritage for Gibson and Gibson guitar owners.
Thank you so much for the kind words! They mean a lot. Let me know if you have questions.

I call this the little book that couldn't, but did, anyway.

The story continues. Here is my latest interview, done about a week ago (and it includes a bit of picking on a went-to-WWII Banner SJ).

I'll also be doing my Kalamazoo Gals thing at the Holy Grail Guitar show in Berlin on May 5 and at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London on May 12. I'd love to meet folks!
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Old 04-10-2018, 10:40 AM
ifret ifret is offline
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Thank you so much for the kind words! They mean a lot. Let me know if you have questions.

I call this the little book that couldn't, but did, anyway.

The story continues. Here is my latest interview, done about a week ago (and it includes a bit of picking on a went-to-WWII Banner SJ).

I'll also be doing my Kalamazoo Gals thing at the Holy Grail Guitar show in Berlin on May 5 and at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London on May 12. I'd love to meet folks!
Thanks for the post, John. Again, nice job on the book! I read a little bit more each night before bed. I'm enjoying it!
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Old 04-10-2018, 11:02 AM
Photojeep Photojeep is offline
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Loved the interview John! I'm still amazed at Gibson's refusal to acknowledge their own history.

Perhaps if Gibson does go bankrupt and is bought by someone maybe then the story will finally be told by Gibson themselves. For the company to continue to stonewall and outright lie surely means they are protecting themselves from something...

But what?

Safe travels on your upcoming tour through Europe.

PJ
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Old 04-10-2018, 12:01 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
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john thomas is a great writer, great speaker, great bicyclist, and, a great guitar player. i've met him and he is a warm and friendly person.

play music!
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Old 04-11-2018, 05:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Photojeep View Post
Loved the interview John! I'm still amazed at Gibson's refusal to acknowledge their own history.

Perhaps if Gibson does go bankrupt and is bought by someone maybe then the story will finally be told by Gibson themselves. For the company to continue to stonewall and outright lie surely means they are protecting themselves from something...

But what?

Safe travels on your upcoming tour through Europe.

PJ
Thanks for the kind words!

Gibson has been interesting. The new owners (a real estate development company and Rolling Stone Magazine) of the original Gibson factory building on 225 Parsons St. in Kalamazoo have embraced the story and will put up a plaque honoring the Gals when renovations are complete. So, the story will come full circle.

There will be some sort of grand opening celebration this fall (I think), which I'll attend in the company of an original Gal (she's 96 now, so ...). I'll talk a bit a play a few tunes on a Gal-made guitar.
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Old 04-11-2018, 05:10 AM
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john thomas is a great writer, great speaker, great bicyclist, and, a great guitar player. i've met him and he is a warm and friendly person.
Is that you, mom?

You are far too kind. Like all of us, I'm just out there doing what I can and feeling fortunate to be able to pursue projects that I love.
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Old 04-11-2018, 03:33 PM
muscmp muscmp is offline
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Is that you, mom?

You are far too kind. Like all of us, I'm just out there doing what I can and feeling fortunate to be able to pursue projects that I love.
son, we've brought you up very well.

play music!
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Old 04-18-2018, 11:40 AM
Long Jon Long Jon is offline
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Originally Posted by jt1 View Post
Thank you so much for the kind words! They mean a lot. Let me know if you have questions.

I call this the little book that couldn't, but did, anyway.

The story continues. Here is my latest interview, done about a week ago (and it includes a bit of picking on a went-to-WWII Banner SJ).

I'll also be doing my Kalamazoo Gals thing at the Holy Grail Guitar show in Berlin on May 5 and at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall in London on May 12.
I'd love to meet folks!
Thanks John, I’ll take that as an invitation !
I live about a half mile from the Assembly Hall and look forward to attending your event there.

I shall of course make myself known to you with the secret AGF handshake and coded speech...

Cheers ! Jon
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Old 04-18-2018, 01:07 PM
01bluemiata 01bluemiata is offline
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JT1, please be careful of this LongJon character as we have not, I repeat not, shared the AGF handshake and code words with him!
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  #13  
Old 04-19-2018, 05:51 AM
jt1 jt1 is offline
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Originally Posted by Long Jon View Post
Thanks John, I’ll take that as an invitation !
I live about a half mile from the Assembly Hall and look forward to attending your event there.

I shall of course make myself known to you with the secret AGF handshake and coded speech...

Cheers ! Jon
Jon,

Fantastic! Looking forward to meeting you. I'll have my went-to-WWII Gibson sJ with me, which you must play.
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Old 04-19-2018, 10:50 AM
Long Jon Long Jon is offline
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Jon,

Fantastic! Looking forward to meeting you. I'll have my went-to-WWII Gibson sJ with me, which you must play.
Uh oh .... (gulp) that only gives me about 3 weeks to learn to play guitar !
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  #15  
Old 04-19-2018, 07:30 PM
jt1 jt1 is offline
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Uh oh .... (gulp) that only gives me about 3 weeks to learn to play guitar !
Get at it! I'd love to hang and jam. I've got a gig the day before up in Middlesbrough the day before the Walthamstow gig and a Dublin gig a few days after. Otherwise, I'll be hanging in the 'hood.
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