Guitar-a-thon for Children's a success!

Guitar-a-thon a success!  9 straight hours of teaching and a whole lot of money goes to Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota!  Thanks to everyone involved.  I'll be making a thank you poster soon and post it on this blog. ; )  Next guitar-a-thon in 6 months!!!

New Website Is UP and Running!

Check out http://www.pitchfever.com to see!

First Annual Pitchfever Charity Event!

Press Release 9-22-09

Pitchfever Music Academy will be holding our first annual charity event Sunday October 18th. We will be giving music lessons all day and giving all the proceeds to The Children’s Hospital of Minnesota. Some years back one of my students named Juliana Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Being only 9 years old at the time, her chances of survival were very slim. Her first operation was very successful but a while later another tumor grew back. She underwent more treatments and I’m happy to say that today she’s a healthy 13 year old and is living a normal life. Therefore I am holding this event to give back to those who helped her live. Lessons will be $20 per half hour and anyone is free to sign up. We will have multiple teachers on duty that day so we should be able to accommodate quite a few participants. The hours of teaching will be from noon till 9pm. All money made will be given to the hospital. Spots are limited so sign up today by emailing me at Mike@pitchfever.com or call 651 246-7745. Current students are also welcome to sign up. Thank you for your time.

Crazy Stuff Coming...

It's been a while but I'm back on it.  WCCO is coming in to film Geezer at Pitch Fever tomorrow.  I'll have pix up soon.

Pitchfever meets WallArt!!

Rooms are getting a new look.  We're starting in Room A and will attack the lobby area next.  I've recently been influenced by the art of Piet Mondrain and the White Stripes.  :)  We won't do every wall due to the busy pattern but we'll do enough to spice up the vibe of the school.  

Former Student Justin of Quietdrive is back from Iraq

Quietdrive recently performed for the troops in Iraq.  Before he left on his wild adventure, Justin stopped by to say hi while driving his sister to lessons.  If you want to read more about their experience and to see the photos, please visit: http://www.quietdrivemusic.com/qdblog

Also, check out their new album entitled Deliverance now available at Best Buy.

We Now Have a Facebook Page!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Maple-Grove-MN/Pitchfever-Music-Academy/42842818865?ref=s

Guitar Hero Has Never Been So Fun!

We just got a new big screen TV put into our lobby.  I'd like to thank Julie for the generous bargain.  We can now start having Guitar Hero competitions and I'll be making more student videos that we can display.  For now we'll be playing the Charlie

Ruby Isle at 1st Ave.

Jammed with Ruby Isle tonight at First Avenue.  I guess it was for some Hollywood movie thing and supposedly Josh Hartnett was there.  I didn't see him though.  We rocked and saw plenty of jazz hands..  ;)

Played Kare 11!!!!

Had a blast playing guitar for Brittani Senser.  Check it out here: http://www.showcaseminnesota.com/show/client_article.aspx?storyid=524846

Brandon Wells breaks one day teaching record!!!

Yes, I thought I was special. I once taught 14 students in a row. I remember that day and what a day that was. Well yesterday our very own Brandon Wells decided to Michael Phelps that record. He taught 17 students in a row. Amazing!!!! Will this feat ever be topped? I doubt it. Congratulations Brandon for your continued success in teaching. Pitchfever is grateful to have you on the Dream Team.

Thank You!!!!

Huge thanks goes out to Mike Hosko who took time to learn the ins and outs of guitar electronics just in time to customize my Paul Reed Smith. It has now become my dream guitar. You saved me much guesswork on stage as well as a lot of money in repair costs. So once again....THANK YOU!!!-MIke

Preview Of Our New Online School (lower quality version)

My student Juliana on WCCO!

She just finished her therapy for a brain tumor and is doing very well.  She was even featured on WCCO.  Check it out.  

http://wcco.com/video/?id=42566@wcco.dayport.com

The Jam Band photo session

We had a great jam tonight and we were also being photographed for Escape Magazine. Yes, it was hard to play with a camera right in your face but it will be worth it. :) Jam band is: Joe S. Bass, Mike L. Vox, Steve N. Guitar, Mike B. Guitar, and Mike G. on drums. We look to play a wedding at the end of August for our first gig. Should be a ton of fun for everyone. I'll be sure to have many issues of the magazine at Pitchfever when it's ready.

Maya and Jamie recorded here today...

What a fun day.. Spent all day hitting record and making dreams come true. I was able to upload Maya's song on the Pitchfever myspace. Check it out here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=37031012
You'll hear the talent immediately. Maya and Jamie will both be playing at the Fine Line this Thursday..

Great Story I read at Jimmy Johns

How Much is Enough?

The American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied only a little while. The American then asked why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish? The Mexican said he had enough to support his family's immediate needs. The American then asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time?

The Mexican fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor.”

The American scoffed, “I am a Harvard MBA and could help you. You should spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats, eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then LA and eventually NYC where you will run your expanding enterprise.” The Mexican fisherman asked, “But senor, how long will this all take?” To which the American replied, “15-20 years.”

“But what then, senor?”

The American laughed and said that’s the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich, you would make millions.

“Millions, senor? Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire. Move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

Fine Line Gig coming up....

Siren and I are teaming up, well sort of, to showcase some of her talented students.  We'll be playing at the Fine Line Thursday June 19th.  I'll be playing guitar for a few acts and drums for Tereza and Siren.  Should be a great time.  21+

Rock Band Experience Concert!!!!

It was a huge hit!!!  I'm so proud of all of you guys.  You made it one of the most memorable shows to date.  I have video and lots of pictures so expect to see them up soon.  Thanks also to the parents and friends for coming out and watching as well.  We had a full house.  Well at Pitchfever a full house is 30 people but who's counting ;) haha...Ps to view a slideshow of some of the pix just go to www.myspace.com/pitchfever

No Fear

I've seen it many times. Someone is sitting there with a blank stare obviously deep in thought about what 'could' happen. Why does the brain try to scare you so much with these mental illusions? It's simply fear creeping it's way into your life. Luckily after years and years of this personal torment, I've been able to get 'out of my head' and into the moment. Try this sometime when your brain is becoming your enemy. Stop thinking, take a deep breath, and fill yourself with the feeling of being completely confident and successful. Try to keep that feeling in your body for as long as possible. If a negative thought tries to interrupt you, don't resist it but smile at it. Be conscious of it. It will soon dissapear if you continue to 'feel' the good feelings. Darkness can not exist where there is light.