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Kevin's Comments
I first heard Michael Chapdelaine last summer at the Newport
Fold Festival. He had called me a few months prior and asked
me if he could play one of my guitars at his concert there.
Of course I knew who he was and was pleased as can be that
he wanted to use a Ryan at his concert. I ultimately decided
to have him play one of my new Nightingales for his concert.
Now I had heard
Chapdelaine play a classical concert before but I was not
prepared for what this guy can do on the steel-string. I
have heard a lot of fine steel-string players in my time.
But when Michael Chapdelaine stated playing, I was really
blown away by the energy and power of his music. It was
really stunning. And then the audience reaction was
something to see. Inside of just a few bars, he had us all
rapt and grooving.
Later on
in the afternoon, we met up and for the first time really
got to talk at length. It was obvious to me that Michael
Chapdelaine would be a great artist to have playing my
guitars but after I got to know him, it was also clear that
we would end up as very good friends for a long time. I
think the sentiment was mutual because we immediately
started plans for Michael’s own Ryan (again, a Brazilian
Nightingale with spruce top). Like many of the other
world-class artists I have worked with, Michael brought his
own ideas and unique needs to the table. So I was stretched
in building the instrument that would perfectly respond to
his incredible dynamic range and virtuosic touch. It has
been a real pleasure working with him. Even if you think you
have heard what a guitar can do, Michael will push your
guitar boundaries further out there.
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