On Friday, April 24 2009 at 7 p.m., the Museum invited guests to the Opening Reception as well as a special performance entitled The Electric Effect, presented by The Blue Guitar. San Diego-based artists Robin Henkel, Steve Nichols, DeForest Thornburgh, owner of The Blue Guitar, and Steve Bernstein of Taylor Guitars, walked attendees through the history of electric sounds and tones, discussing and demonstrating the use of different electric effects in a variety of songs that made electric guitars cool.  The artists performed swing, blues and rock-and-roll hits from 1930s to 1960s with the use of period guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals. 

The evening’s special guest was Mr. Lynn Wheelwright, a private collector and expert on early pickup technology.  During the reception, Wheelwright led a discussion in the museum galleries, and answered questions about many vintage instruments from his personal collection on display.

Special Guests

Robin Henkel

ROBIN HENKEL

Robin Henkel's music ranges from primitive Mississippi Delta blues and the urban Chicago sound to Texas-style western swing and beyond. An amazing blues slide guitarist, Henkel has been playing music since the '60s, both as a solo act and as a contributing band member. With the Robin Henkel Band he uses a variety of back-up musicians that he custom picks to fit each gig.

Robin Henkel has opened for such top acts as Dizzie Gillespie, Bonnie Raitt, Arlo Guthrie, and Dave Mason. Henkel has also performed with Buddy Miles, John Hammond, Sha Na Na, and Big Jay McNealy. A seasoned veteran and winner of Best Blues CD at the 2000 and 2004 San Diego Music Awards, he has participated in numerous blues festivals. He is also a guitar teacher at The Blue Guitar, where he has been giving lessons to students eager to learn from the legend himself. 

Steve Nichols

STEVE NICHOLS

Steve Nichols has been playing for over 25 years, drawing from musical sources as diverse as rock, classical, jazz, latin-jazz, blues, and country. Steve has performed professionally on stage and worked as a studio musician in the recording industry in Los Angeles, and throughout the western states. Currently Steve plays, records and teaches private guitar lessons in San Diego.

In 1990-91 Steve produced his own project called "Transitions", performed and recorded by his group Crosswinds.

Artists and bands Steve has shared the stage with include: Billy Cobham, Barney Kessel, B.B. King, Lou Rawls, Frankie Lane, The Bill Green Orchestra, Henry Cuesta, Carl Fontana, Palomar Jazz Ensemble, Pacific Brass and Electric, Grossmont College Jazz Ensemble, O.J. Ekemode and the Nigerian All-Stars, Billy Hawkins, Ron Ellington Shy, Lester Abrams, Charlie Daniels, Eddie Raven, and John Anderson.

DeForest Thornburgh

DeFOREST THORNBURGH

DeForest  Thornburgh became the owner of The Blue Guitar in November of 2003.  He first met founder Yuris Zeltins in 1972 looking for a string for a bouzouki. DeForest remained a long term customer ever since and formed a close relationship with both Yuris and Stephen Neal, the former owner.

As Stephen made plans to move to Idaho, and build his archtop guitars under his Salmon River name, Stephen sold the shop to DeForest in order to continue The Blue Guitar’s long tradition of quality service and products.

DeForest is a fine finger style and blues guitarist as well as being quite the accomplished Ukulele player.

Under this new manager, The Blue Guitar retained its complete staff with a commitment to fine guitar repair and restoration.

Having collected guitars, amplifiers and ukuleles for over 30 years, DeForest brings a vast pool of knowledge of the current market in both new and vintage instruments. The Blue Guitar has expanded it's selection of new guitars, ukuleles and fine vintage stringed instruments.

 This event was generously sponsored in part by: