Steve Krenz

Wow! Sounds like a great event! I want to go! Loved the pictures and your insightful commentary. This retreat just seemed to fly by for me - the quickest one ever. Paulette is currently downstairs coughing and sniffling her way back from her cold. But my heart is as full as my fridge of leftovers from camp! It was a great time. Not just with the amazing artists, beautiful surroundings, and plentiful food but from the camaraderie of close friends who meet each year to laugh and learn, hang out in the early mornings and late nights. You all were such a blessing to me and Paulette and to the artists, helpers and even Deer Run retreat staff. To me, it seemed like this year, one of the best attractions of the whole event were the wonderful people who drove and flew from near and far, who gave up a week of their lives, to come together and have fun with each other and music. People from vastly different life experiences all together enjoying music and a meal and a few days in the woods just being friends and guitar lovers. You embraced the new folks and made sure everyone was included. You hung out with the artists like they were friends. You opened your hearts to each other in every way. These are the intangibles that Paulette and I hope to foster but are difficult to put into a written schedule. This year, more than in previous years, you all brought the event with you. It wasn't the great music, the artists, or the teaching - it was you all that made the event. It passed by all too quickly but we have been blessed by all of your hospitality and friendship to each other. Love you all. - Steve

@matonanjin, I'm sure that was a great concert! Within the last few weeks we've had James Taylor, Eric Clapton and the Doobie Brothers. Plus the IBMA Bluegrass Convention. It's been a busy but musical few weeks here in Music City! - Steve

Peader, Sounds like you're off to a good start. Keep up the daily work. It's slow and tedious in these early stages but just be patient with yourself and your learning. Some days you'll feel like it - and that you are making good progress. Other days you'll feel uninspired and that your effort is fruitless. You're not allowed to judge your progress for these first few weeks. Just keep doing what is taught and the results will slowly start to emerge. I encourage you to move on to Session 2. Session 2 is where the learning really begins. Keep doing the finger exercises from Session 1 but you'll find Session 2 more engaging to work on. Keep us posted on your progress. You can do it! - Steve

The stories behind the songs are always fascinating to me. Also, how the song develops and changes over time is also fascinating. Lyrics change, meanings change, cultural references shift. Then, when a song gets repeated and translated into multiple languages it changes even more. - Steve

Another great song! Here's Randy Bachman talking about the making of "Takin' Care of Business"...

Ha! Great song. - Steve