The
2012 Dallas
International Guitar Festival
2012 Dallas
International Guitar Festival
Market Hall / April 20-22, 2012
The year was 1978 and Dallas guitar shop owner, Charley Wirz, had a vision – to establish a vintage guitar expo similar to other popular collectors shows. That first event – the Greater Southwest Vintage Guitar Show – was only a modest success. However, Charley remained steadfast in his mission to promote and develop the event until his death in 1985.
In recent years, promoters Mark Pollock and Jimmy Wallace have partnered in carrying out Charley's vision of bringing guitar dealers, manufacturers, collectors, celebrities and music fans together for this annual event (currently known as the Dallas International Guitar Festival) that now attracts over 20,000 enthusiasts.
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| Honorary "Show Biz Guru" correspondent Bryan Dumas with Teye Guitar rep Vanessa Nicole. |
Touted as "the original guitar show," the Dallas International Guitar Festival returned to Market Hall in April 2012 to celebrate its 35th anniversary. Although I personally was unable to attend the shindig, my longtime friend and seasoned music pro Bryan Dumas did make it. And since he still owes me $25 from back in high school, he "agreed" to assume the responsibility of serving as an honorary "Show Biz Guru" correspondent and graciously offered to share some of his photos and observations...
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| Understandably, Bryan was like a kid in acandy store, hanging out at the Warrior booth. |
"Creativity and innovation is alive and well," Bryan commented during our phone conversation immediately following the show. And among the estimated 20,000 attendees, Bryan also noticed a larger than usual number of young people as well as female fans at this year's event. "They weren't merely wives, girlfriends or product spokes-models; they were fans," he added.
One of Bryan's favorite hangouts this year was at the Warrior Instruments booth. Creating custom, hand-crafted electric guitars and basses, the Georgia-based company's endorsees include legendary rock guitarist Rick Derringer and the Ft. Worth, Texas "outlaw southern rocker" Glitter Rose. Warrior chief J. Dran truly "wowed" Bryan with a special creation this year – the "Jesus guitar."
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| The Warrior "Jesus guitar" presented Bryan with one of two show-related "wow" moments. |
Texas native, Carolyn Wonderland
Award-winning blues combo, The Bart Walker Band
Glitter Rose -- One girl, one guitar, one hot set.
Rick Derringer -- "Still Alive and Well!"
Bryan raved about the School of Rock performance.
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| Discovering the Teye Guitars booth proved to be Bryan's other "wow" moment. |
Another one of Bryan's high points of the weekend was meeting Teye, the owner of Austin, Texas' Teye Guitars. With a "total emphasis on tone and feel," Teye creates work so unique and amazing that it prompted Bryan to call me before he even returned home to Shreveport, Louisiana to rave. Due to his overwhelming enthusiasm, I couldn't quite make out exactly what he was trying to convey other than something about selling a kidney in order to purchase Teye's E Series La India Bass.
The orange Textone "Big Tex"
bass was one of Bryan's favorites.
Dan "Peaches" Carlson delighted the masses with his
unique guitar stylings during Saturday's festivities.
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| Honorary "Show Biz Guru" correspondent Bryan Dumas with rock guitar legend Rick Derringer. |
- Musicians smoke more than the average person.
- Considering what you pay for admission, this is one of the best bargains in America.
- For the most part, music people are awesome – if you can overlook the F-bombs.
- The time-tested jeans and black T-shirt combo is still the acknowledged rock and roll uniform.
- The Dallas Renaissance Hotel is awesome!
Thanks for sharing, Bryan – job well done!
Author Christopher Long's latest book,
is available now on Amazon.
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