A couple of days ago I met with a group of folks at the Les Paul Summit in Milwaukee. This meeting was hosted by the Les Paul Foundation whose purpose is to share the life, spirit and legacy of Les Paul by supporting music education, engineering and innovation, as well as medical research.
Roy Elkins with Les Paul
I couldn’t think of a better way to kick off this blog than to mention that the 100th anniversary of Les’s birthday is next year. Numerous events are being planned in Wisconsin and around the country. If you would like to get more information, you can follow this link and join the community of us who have been so influenced by Les Paul.
Here is a link to the Les Paul Foundation website. Please join and support this great cause.
Right after his death, I wrote a quick blog about Les. After re-reading it a few minutes ago, I found myself thinking, “I left out this story and that one.” His curiosity and fascination with the unknown was infectious and never stopped. At the same time, he gigged with his band at the Iridium right up until his death. I honestly could write for hours about the impact he had on my life, directly and more indirectly with his inventions. Here is a link to the blog on Broadjam.
Founder, Broadjam, Great People Along The Way, Thoughts On The Music Industry
Additional links & good organizations
Madison Area Music Association, Willywash, Dallas Songwriters Association – one of the best in the business, Merlin Mentors – Great org that helps young entrepreneurs, Les Paul Foundation, Wisconsin Foundation for School Music
Press & educational links
Hangout June 6, 2014, “Blanket” Music Licensing, Industry Projections, Celebrating Sonic Foundry, A Music Platform, Project Famous – Great Photographer, Models of Opportunity: How Entrepreneurs Design Firms
Hi Roy,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your encounters with Les Paul.
I was lucky enough to meet the master at Iridium. In fact, he was kind enough to autograph my original 1968 Les Paul Standard.
I saw him just a few years before his passing. He was still, not only an extraordinary guitarist but a quick witted, sharp as a tack humorist as well! He will be missed by many of us for a very long time.
Here’s a link to one of my Broadjam pieces, an orchestral soundtrack:
http://www.broadjam.com/artists/songs.php?artistID=4161&mediaID=119950
Keep up the good work!
Pete