If Guitars Could Talk

A recollection of memories and stories written by the Russian guitar maker Yuriy Shishkov. After his risky departure from the Soviet Union to the USA in 1990, he began working for major guitar companies. This led to many of his instruments finding their place in the hands of famous artists, celebrities, and guitar collectors. This book describes interesting aspects of his life, in detail, covering everything from Soviet daycares to the search for music that was banned by the state. It explains the beginning of his guitar making career in Russia as well as the harsh life of the Soviet people at the time of the Cold War spanning from 1964 until the end of the USSR. Aside from the up-close and personal life story, this autobiography includes unique photos depicting a wide spectrum of his craftsmanship work from Russia and America. A detailed anthology about the reality of the Soviet Union, the challenges faced during this time, and Yuriy's passion to pursue guitar making artistry.

Demonstrating the intimate connections among our public, political, and personal lives, these essays by Robert Cantwell explore the vernacular culture of everyday life. A keen and innovative observer of American culture, Cantwell casts a broad and penetrating intelligence over the cultural functioning of popular texts, artifacts, and performers, examining how cultural practices become performances and how performances become artifacts endowed with new meaning through the transformative acts of imagination. Cantwell's points of departure range from the visual and the literary--a photograph of Woody Guthrie, or a poem by John Keats--to major cultural exhibitions such as the World's Columbian Exposition. In all these domains, he unravels the implications for community and cultural life of a continual migration, transformation, and reformulation of cultural content.

Jodi thought she had it all—a competitive athlete and runner, a passionate twenty-year career teaching others health and fitness. Until she was suddenly struck with several devastating and life-threatening challenges all at once. This is a powerful true story that proves a relentless will to live, the devoted love of a man she just met, and the love she has for him can win the battle.

This book offers a lifetime of interviews with the pop music phenom known to the world as Scowl. They were conducted by longtime confidante and journalist, Ralph Bonaparte. The interviews begin in 1957, right after one of Scowl’s early rock ‘n’ roll concerts in Los Angeles, and they end in 2001, just prior to one of his sold-out retrospective shows in Las Vegas. These vibrant and compelling interviews cover Scowl’s entire remarkable life from his exuberant years as a young man to his more thoughtful years as an adult. They reveal the heart and soul of a talented, beloved, and flawed American entertainer—who, like the rest of us, learned as he lived.

Secrets of The Electric Guitarist You play guitar. You love guitar. Now learn the REST! Secrets of The Electric Guitarist offers solid gold advice about being a great overall guitarist and musician, and the music business. Rick Stack provides an insider’s look at the world of a working musician, with practical “how to” steps, about playing in a band and performing, writing and recording music, buying music equipment, and health as related to being a musician. The book will keep you entertained with stories from Rick’s musical experiences. Are you ready to begin your journey of being the most complete guitarist and musician you can be? Shredding out cool riffs and licks is awesome, but there is a lot more to being an amazing guitarist as a working musician. You will learn all about starting a cover band, original band, being a band leader or a sideman. You will also learn the best way to run rehearsals, get great gigs, and tips on how to get your performing game rocking. Discover how easy it is to get started writing your own songs, and with Rick’s help you will get a clear road map to the recording process, with making home demos and going into a professional recording studio. You will gain insight into having effective and efficient guitar practice sessions. Learn health related advice to stay in top form and not get injured. Are you unsure what 6L6 tubes are or what scale length is on a guitar? Find out all you need to know about music equipment, so you can get amazing tone. Anything you do beyond playing as a hobby is going to require some knowledge of the music business. If you would like to be (or are already) a semi-professional/weekend warrior, or full time professional musician, you will want to know the secrets that will allow you to navigate the music industry with confidence. And how about making money? There is a myth that musicians don’t make much money. Rick dispels this myth and gives you a clear plan of attack to make your music career flourish. Secrets of The Electric Guitarist is a reference to use any time you embark on one of topics contained in the book. This is also a fun read for “guitar nerds” who love all things guitar. It took Rick over 35 years to learn everything in this book. You can learn it all here!

The Chicago Cubs are one of the most historic teams in Major League Baseball, and their World Series championship in 2016 will forever remain one of baseball's iconic triumphs. In If These Walls Could Talk: Chicago Cubs, Jon Greenberg of The Athletic Chicago provides insight into the team's inner sanctum as only he can. Readers will gain the perspective of players, coaches, and personnel from this modern era in moments of greatness as well as defeat, making for a keepsake no fan will want to miss.

Since their inception in 1977, the Toronto Blue Jays have been one of the most dynamic franchises in all of baseball. As an award-winning, longtime Jays columnist, Bob Elliott has witnessed more than his share of that history up close and personal. In If These Walls Could Talk: Toronto Blue Jays, Elliott provides insight into the Jays' inner sanctum as only he can. Readers will gain the perspective of players, coaches, and front office executives in times of greatness as well as defeat, making for a keepsake no fan will want to miss.