Pribek

A couple of months ago, I wrote a post called, “See The Music”, about the photography of Jim Marshall. Now, I have long been a big fan of Marshall’s work but, what I didn’t know about was Jim’s involvement with MSFriends and the Rock for MS fund raising programs.

More than ten years ago, Jim Marshall hired Amelia as his assistant knowing she had MS, and since then Jim has become a passionate advocate for the needs of people living with MS.

MSFriends is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Having received the diagnosis of primary progressive M.S. myself, a couple of years back, it does my heart good to see people doing this work.

On July, 23rd, MSFriends will be putting on a Rock for MS event that will include an auction featuring Marshall’s work as well as that of other prominent photographers.

Through Jim’s influence, other well-known rock photographers such as Henry Diltz, Baron Wolman, Neal Preston, Michael Zagaris and others are now pitching in to donate their work for auction or sale. MSFriends has established a powerful, high profile presence in three of the most important music and photography centers in this country: San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York.

Rock for MS
July 23rd, 2008
Key Club
West Hollywood, California
310-274-5800

Here is the link to the gallery page where you can see some examples of pieces that will be up for auction.

Now, I know that there are a some regular readers that live in SoCal. You guys need to get on over to the Key Club this Wednesday (more details at the website). Here’s a formal invite.

Those of you, who aren’t going to be in Sunny Cali, can still show your support by visiting the Rock for MS store, where you can find items like a very nifty Jimi-guitar pick-necklace, T-shirts and Jim Marshall prints.

IG posted a really nice article over the 4th of July weekend called, “The Guitar Players Bill Of Rights”. He had a list of ten things that he describes as inalienable rights for guitarists. This is one that hits home.

You have the right to enjoy playing guitar.

Let’s face it. Too many guitar players think “difficult” when it comes to playing. That’s why many end up quitting. If you really have the desire to play guitar but dread the work required to play, that’s your fault. Take a moment to stop and think about what you’ve done to get yourself into this situation. What do you need to do differently? Do you need to change your attitude about your practicing routine, or look into a new method to feel stimulated? What will make you grab your guitar each day with a big smile on your face? Suffering is optional. Turn your playing into something you enjoy. That’s why you chose to play guitar in the first place.

See, I think that’s really insightful, nice work IG. The thing is, it applies to everybody, not just guitarists.

If you’ve been a regular here for awhile then, you are probably aware of my experience with Multiple Sclerosis. In a nutshell, the M.S. presented itself in my hands, it was a lengthy diagnosis and, since the diagnosis, I have been, little by little, re-learning how to play guitar. If you are interested, and have some spare time, I wrote a very, in-depth post about my experience last October called, “New Angles”.

At one point, I had a breakthrough moment where I realized that my progress increased more rapidly when I consciously made an effort to have fun with the guitar. Rather than just work on improving my skills and facility.

The inspiration for this type of thinking was jazz guitarist Pat Martino. Now, I’ve long been a fan of Martino’s playing. I was also very interested in the fact that Martino had suffered a brain aneurysm and loss of memory, including the memory of how to play guitar. He re-learned how to play and at a very high level. He is really a philosopher as well. He often speaks of living in the moment and the concept of joy. Take a look at this interview, where Mr. Martino describes a little of his unique experience. There are words here that all can benefit from.

As always….before playing the YouTube, hit pause on the music player to your left.

Here is the last (I promise) installment of Dave Abner’s article for the Branson Daily News.

Dave got a little bit of stuff in there about my guitar related issues with Multiple Sclerosis.

Guitar players are like the rest of us. They get old. Life happens. Things change.

Sometimes, those changes can have a monumental impact on a player.

Pribek contracted multiple sclerosis a couple years back.

It was life-changing.

He played a gig one night. The next morning, “both of my hands were numb,” he said.

Symptoms followed by doctor’s visits and considerations of carpal tunnel syndrome and other maladies – and all the while Pribek was virtually unable to practice his craft.

“I’m getting close, but I’m still not fully recovered,” Pribek said.

But what he has recovered is a love for playing he remembers from his earliest days.

“I enjoy it more now,” Pribek said.

“It’s almost like being a kid again.”

I haven’t mentioned the National MS Society in a while. One thing I’ve noticed is that a lot of people are sort of in the dark about MS. The Society is a good source of information and a worthwhile organization. If you know somebody who has MS and/or you would like to learn about the disease, symptoms, treatment and research, I urge you to take a look at the site.