MEMOIRs from stage Right // fall 2021

Fall is in the air and life is starting to feel a little more like normal these days. The Summer of 2021 saw live music return to Amphitheaters, Festivals, and various outdoor venues across the US. This Fall; Stadiums, Arenas, and indoor venues are filled with fans of Music and Sports as indoor capacity limits are lifted around the country, and we begin to gather together again.
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As a Colorado native, Fall has always been a favorite time of the year for me, although it never feels like it lasts long enough. This year, Fall has proved to be a big one though, and I have a lot to fill you in on.

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david shaw and a "da-rel" jr

In August, I once again proudly partnered with the Boulder based Charity CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE. This time with a little help from David Shaw of THE REVIVALISTS.

David Shaw was invited to play with the Conscious Alliance Allstars at the flagship Conscious Alliance Charity Event held annually at the MacMillan Estate in Denver, CO. During his set at the event David played a very unique DWP Guitars “Da-Rel” JR which was then signed by everyone who played, and auctioned off.

I’m still a little in disbelief that this guitar raised an incredible $7500 to benefit Conscious Alliance!

If you’re curious to check out photos from the CONSCIOUS ALLIANCE ALLSTARS Event; please follow the link below:

Conscious Alliance All-Stars PHOTO GALLERY

ART THAT FEEDS

As always; I encourage you to check out the amazing work Conscious Alliance is doing to help feed people in need.

VISIT Conscious Alliance

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The colorado avalanche and dwp guitars

The changing of seasons from Summer to Fall means only one thing when you’re a hockey fan; HOCKEY IS BACK! And this year; it was uniquely special for DWP Guitars.

Thanks entirely to the dedication and belief in DWP Guitars by Anna Smith; I was given the opportunity to design, build, and donate two Avalanche themed DWP Guitars to the COLORADO AVALANCHE heading into the 2021/22 NHL Season. Unbeknownst to me at the time; Anna was able to get in touch with the Kronke Sports and Entertainment Community Relations Department to propose the idea during the off season, and excitingly; they said Yes! That turned out to be just the beginning though…
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Not long before this season started, my new friends at Kronke Sports reached out with another idea. In addition to the guitars being signed by Avalanche players and then auctioned off to benefit KRONKE SPORTS CHARITIES; they wanted to promote the auction and DWP Guitars on opening night of the COLORADO AVALANCHE season!

With a full capacity crowd in attendance for the first time since the Spring of 2020; I was interviewed about the guitars during the first intermission and DWP Guitars was promoted on the big screen at BALL ARENA in Denver, CO. I am honored, humbled, and beyond grateful that DWP Guitars could play such a special role, in such a special night.
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I believe there’s an old adage about “Do what you love, and the rest will follow…” right? Well this was definitely proof of that. The life long Avalanche fan inside me loves seeing DWP Guitars along side my favorite hockey team, and the guitar builder in me couldn’t be more proud to be able to make a bigger impact through DWP Guitars.

AVALANCHE GUITARS

These two Colorado Avalanche themed Guitars will be signed by Avalanche players and up for auction soon.
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Stay tuned for details on how you can place a bid!

Kronke Sports Charities

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"sincerely grateful"
​for a return to stage right

In October, we reassembled the BON IVER “A-Team” to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the “Bon Iver” self titled album, with two shows at the brand new YOUTUBE THEATER in Los Angeles, CA. However, it was a celebration of so much more than just that record…

After an 18 month hiatus, these were our first shows back with a live audience and to say that “it was special” feels like an understatement. It’s certainly no secret that the last year and a half have been difficult on us all. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot we can do as a “Band” that plays “Concerts”, while the world at large is shut down and people everywhere are suffering.
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There’s healing in music, and in community though, and more than anything else; I think that’s what these shows represented. I've long held the belief that Music unites us. Music gives us common ground and allows us to resonate together. Music encourages peace, love, understanding, and community. And in my humble opinion, we all need that more than ever right now.

Additionally; these shows represented an important bench mark for me in my career as a Guitar Tech and a Guitar Builder.

I began my time with the Bon Iver family in the Fall of 2012 at the end of the record cycle for the “Bon Iver” self titled album, and at the time; I was just playing around with the idea to start building guitars. I soon found myself amongst some of the most inspiring, encouraging, and creative people I’d ever come across. I came home from those tours with a renewed sense of purpose and inspired to finally pursue the art of Guitar Building.

In 2019; Justin and I decided it was time to replace the Baritone Guitar he plays on the song “Minnesota, WI”. It couldn’t just be any “normal” Baritone though… We tune our Baritone quite a bit lower in pitch than normal, and it needs to feel more like a guitar than a bass, which makes things a little tricky. Together, Justin and I collaborated to design and create a one of a kind instrument that serves every function we need it to, and looks pretty good doing it as well.
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With the return of “Minnesota, WI” to the set list, so too returned the “Da-Rel Bari” to the live stage (pictured above). I couldn’t help but feel like this was a full circle moment. A celebration of where we all were 10 years ago, but also a celebration of being back together now, and how much we’ve grown in between.

As advertised; I think we all walked away from these shows

SINCERELY GRATEFUL

Upcoming Bon Iver Tour!

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LOOKING FORward

Much like the year before it 2021 has had its uncertainty, but things are looking bright going into 2022. There’s a lot to be grateful for this Fall, and there’s a lot to look forward to on the horizon.

The holidays are around the corner, and Tours are being announced for next year. I hope that you can find the time and space to rest, relax, and enjoy the holidays with your loved ones as we wind down 2021, and get ready for next year.
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2022 is going to be a big year, and I can’t wait to see you out there!