Faked Or For Real?

Yesterday evening I felt like one of those presenters on PBS' Antiques Roadshow. Its painful to watch their faces while awaiting the good or the bad news regarding the value of the item they brought to the show for appraisal. I always hold my breath during the awkward silence when the appraiser asks the two questions: 1) how much did you pay for it? and 2) what do you think it's worth? 

I answered the phone and my buddy John Scott from Bluesman Vintage Guitars here in Spring Hill asked if I was free to talk. It was about the Gibson Les Paul Gold Top I took to his shop earlier that day (I hoped he could fix the intonation problems I've been having). He asked me where I purchased it. I said I bought it brand-new in '05 from a reputable Gibson dealer. He paused and then said, "I've been looking at this guitar with Big Mike (Bluesman's repair guy and stellar blues picker) all afternoon and there's something weird about it." He went on to mention the quirky electronics routing, the neck binding and neck width; the color of the gold was even different than he'd ever seen before.

As John kept talking my heart began to sink. Its no secret that there are incredible Chinese fakes out there that have made it past many a discriminating eye into the the hands of unsuspecting players. John was leading me to the that very possibility: could this guitar I payed two grand for seven years ago be a fake?

John has a friend here in Nashville who works at the Gibson factory and knows all of the ins-and-outs of most every Gibson made. He also has a trained eye for fakes. John promised me he'd call his buddy and would let me know the next day what the verdict was on my prized Gold Top.

I spent the next 24 hours in suspension--at least the folks on Antiques Roadshow are only held over for a few seconds. I was afraid that my $2000 investment might turn out to be actually valued at $200...maybe. The fakes that have been floating around are said to be unbelievably well constructed, with papers, hanging tags and a real Gibson hard case! I was even contemplating casing it and shoving it way back into the corner of my studio closet where I wouldn't have to face the humility if the Les Paul was in fact a forgery.

I called John today and he played me a bit just for fun. It turns out that my Les Paul is a Gibson, confirmed by the serial number, proving that the store where I bought it was a match. His friend explained to John that the 60s-style necks are hand-sanded and that the funky differences between two necks of the same model are very possible. Different suppliers can explain the binding and the gold paint differences, too. All in all, my guitar is the real deal. Whew! That was close...I am sooo relieved!

Its easy to get duped these days. With all of the picker and pawn shows on TV, we're getting better as an audience at pointing out quirks that lead to suspicions and an item's true value. Thank God I've got great friends who stand in the gap for me when, even as a pro player, I can be so easily bamboozled.

Done!

Like I wrote a few weeks ago, its so good to be finished with a project. In my case, two projects! Gary and I are finished with our project and I'm finished with the instrumental project.

My son Josh was here overnight yesterday and expertly completed the artwork for my instrumental record. I knew the title pretty much says that its an instrumental, but I wanted to make sure that guitars were prominently displayed on the cover, too.

I'm pleased to present to you the final cover!

The record is now available on iTunes, Spotify, AmazonMp3, eMusic, etc,. Go there now and download a copy!

Gary and I have named our project "Doxology" (there's singin' on that one...guitars, too). We will have it uploaded and ready to purchase real soon.

Oh, and thanks for reading my blog. I have been distracted of late but promise to pick up my regularity soon. Its not good to be irregular...there's a medicine for that!

The Things We Leave Behind

As I write this, I have been forced into my office upstairs while carpet is being installed throughout the bottom floor of our home. Eleven years of living has made way into the fibers of those dilapidated, stained and tired fibers; It was due time to upgrade to something fresh--with greater quality than the builders originally installed.

Like with used carpet, life makes an imprint in the places we live. With so many ghost hunter-related shows filling our cable channels, we see that not only are our homes filled with our earthly stuff, but apparently our living spaces retain a bit of spiritual energy, too. I have been in places where there is a distinct vibe present--either negative or positive--rarely neutral. I must say I enjoy watching some of the ghost-oriented shows and have seen some pretty astonishing things. As a Christian, I believe in eternal life (life after death), and I believe that through our decision to acknowledge Christ as Savior here on earth, we will, therefore, find an eternal home with Him in Heaven, waiting on the other side of life.

I don't know the full explanation of why supernatural phenomena happens on earth (and I'll remain a skeptic, for the most part, as to most claims), but I have to say I believe there are evil spirits roaming the earth whose sole purpose is to lead people away from God.

For this reason, every time a family member moves into a new place, I like to bring anointing oil to dab over each doorway and accompany it with a prayer of consecration and protection for the inhabitants. To some this may seem extreme but, as a Christ-follower, I am convinced that humans are vulnerable to evil even though they may believe it doesn't exist.

As the guys haul away the old, dirty carpet to the dump, I know that love, grace and redemption remains in every fiber of our home. We made a choice eleven years ago when we bought this place that Christ would be Lord of this place. I know He makes Himself known to all who come through our door. I bet you'll feel it if you come for a visit.

Rain, Rain

It poured last night. After a couple of weeks of scorching 100 degree-plus temperatures, the sky finally broke open and soaked the dry ground--especially the lawn, flowers and garden--around our house. It reminded me of just how dependent upon God we humans are.

I am humbled by the fact that my life is unsustainable outside of the grace and provision of God. If our planet scooted closer or further away from the sun, we would all burn up or freeze. The same with the delicate balance of oxygen on earth: we would suffocate if the mix changed even a smidgeon. Here's the skinny: We are all dependent on God, whether we want to admit it, confess it, believe it or not. I choose to accept that God is involved in the tiniest details of our lives and our environment.

Thank you, God, for the rain. I pray that we get more over the next few days. Our air conditioner out back has been carrying a heavy load lately. I feel the same way at times in my life: circumstances can get tough and it's always good when God's grace rains down and brings needed relief in my heart.

I say, "Let it pour!"

25 Songs That Changed The Way We Worship : Integrity Music 25th Anniversary

What a surprise and a blessing it was to see that "Ancient of Days" was included in this list of worship songs, released this week on CD from Integrity Music. I am honored that after 20 years, the song has risen to this place in history.

I never have recorded the song on any personal projects until I included it as an instrumental on my new project coming out in a week or so.

Our prayers go out to all in Colorado Springs, CO--where coincidentally, Integrity Music is now based as a subsidiary of David C. Cook--who are battling fires that are threatening homes, communities, churches and livelihoods.

Thanks again, Integrity Music, for blessing the Harvills beyond imagination, and for affecting the way the Church worships God over the past quarter century! I pray "Ancient of Days" is included on the 50th anniversary collection one day!

Check out this promotional video about the release. I believe "Ancient of Days" is number five in the lineup.

Finish What You Start

Today's a new day! Yesterday's worship services went well, but as a former pastor often said during our Monday planning meetings: "The problem with church is that it happens every week!" Without fail, Monday comes and a new set of challenges face us, even though we want to take a bit of a rest. Frankly, I like these type of challenges because I am motivated to complete a task.

Completing something--running over the finish line--is satisfying. Now just because I finish something, it doesn't mean I came in first place. It does mean, though, that I chose to do something, planned, prepared and pursued it to completion. There is a satisfaction in finishing something, and it can be rejuvenating, too.

When I decided to pursue the instrumental project I've been writing about recently, it was in the midst of a personal trial. I made some necessary life changes last spring and was faced with several uncertainties--one of which was financial in nature. Leaving a position that brought provision to my family for 8 years was a tough call, but necessary. I needed, among several other things, to sow into something that stirred my creative imagination. There were several things that I could not control at the time, so I put energies into something I could control.

 I love to walk in my neighborhood, listen to music on my headphones and write new melodies for new songs. After several days of walking around the block last summer (not concurrently!), I started hearing melodies without words--melodies that brought up certain emotions. I heard my guitar playing those melodies and soon hatched a plan to record a new project with my guitar as the centerpiece. I also had songs--instrumentals--on the workbench for years, and this was the opportunity to bring them to light.

Yesterday I lined up the finished recordings and created a master disc, ready for replication. It is satisfying to have that dream realized and to hold it in my hand as a completed project. I am ready to move on to another adventure, but first I want to soak in the bliss of finishing what I started!

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Here's one more sample of the instrumental record. This song is called "River Road," written for a highway that rolls out of Columbus, Ohio called Olentangy River Road, Hwy 315--a beautiful drive that has stayed in my memory since I first drove it over 30 years ago. The song is one of the mellow tunes from the record, in the style of one of my heroes--Earl Klugh--and in the spirit of  one of his greatest records ever: "Heartstring."

I hope you enjoy it

   River Road by jamieharvill

Another Instrumental Project Song- "Texas Toast"

Here's another selection from my upcoming instrumental project entitled "Songs Without Words." I have been influenced by so many guitarists that it's difficult to limit the styles I wanted to add to the record. I guess some of the songs just dictated how they wanted to be presented--and of course my own style always comes through.

I am going to see ZZ Top tonight in concert, so it's appropriate that I post a song inspired by the band. I have been a huge fan of Bill Gibbons from the start. In fact, fifteen years ago I had the pleasure of working in the same studio in which much of their classic record "Tres Hombres" was recorded; I imagined Billy's unmistakable guitar tones still floating in the air there. Also, I can't help but think of the gigantic Mexican food spread on the inside cover of "Tres Hombres" (Tex Mex food of those proportions are usually found exclusively in Texas and California!). I call this song "Texas Toast," because of it's gritty textures and it's Texas inspiration.

Again, I will have my full project available in July. I hope you enjoy the song... Texas Toast by jamieharvill