Voyage-Air goes to War

United States soldier, Charles Nordby, is proudly serving our country in Afghanistan. Before Charlie left for war, his fiancé Ashley and some friends organized a “fund raiser” – they all chipped in to send him off with a Voyage- Air Guitar.

His instrument of choice? The Voyage-Air VAOM-02, thanks to its rugged, compact shape and great tone. He was truly touched and moved by the gift. He called the guitar “the best gift I’ve ever received, other than my fiancé Ashley.”

Charlie is an amazing musician: gifted with a great singing voice, as well as great guitar chops. He reports that he hasn’t had a day off in four months, has had to endure below-zero weather, in addition to the stress of having to be on constant alert. And in these extreme conditions, the Voyage-Air guitar is by his side, and is holding up great!

Every day, Charlie looks to his Voyage-Air Guitar to allow him a few minutes of musical pleasure… and the feeling of being “normal.” In addition to informal performances in off moments, Charlie is also giving guitar lessons to fellow soldiers. Charlie’s really special: using his Voyage-Air guitar to spread the gift of music under wartime conditions. We thank Charlie. You should too.

Voyage-Air on Charlie Crowe TV

A winner in the Guitar Player Live guitar competition this year, Charlie Crowe became intrigued with the Voyage-Air Guitar. He asked if he could feature it on one of the episodes in his popular Nashville-based TV show. You can see the episode below.

For 12 years, Charlie toured the nation as a guitar player for the country-rock super duo Brooks & Dunn. He has appeared on awards shows, music videos, Letterman, Leno, the Olympics and two presidential inaugurations. All of this may explain why Charlie’s so comfortable in front of the camera.

In addition to being a hit songwriter, Charlie is also the newest blogger for Guitar Player Magazine: he’ll talk about everything from guitars to gear of all kinds. Keep an eye out for him in the magazine and on-line… you never know what he’ll talk about next!

Click here to read his blog about participating in the Guitar Player Live Guitar Competition.

Don Jones: The Voyage-Air Blues

You never know what kind of connections you can make with a Voyage-Air guitar. Recently, we were on a camping trip in the Crestline, CA area, and met a group of locals who were throwing a big Camping Party. Among them was Don Jones, who plays with the band Radiator BBQ.

Having played guitar all his life, Don was blown away by the Voyage-Air folding guitar. "There's no way THIS can work," and Don continued: "But it DOES work, and this is what I've always been after, wow... it's full-size and will fit in the trunk of my car, with all my other stuff!"

Don was so inspired that he made up "The Voyage-Air Blues" that's in the video below. You can also see the Voyage-Air Mascot wannabe: 'Roscoe' in the background, perking his ears as he digs the tunes.

Thanks Don. The proof is in the guitar: one strum on a Voyage-Air guitar, and Don 'got it.' One strum, and you will too!

Ravi, the Raviator: San Diego and India!

One of our most active and enthusiastic endorsers, Ravi shows off his Voyage-Air Guitar at Airport Fest in Long Beach, CA after his performance. Click to check out this video!

Also included in this video is Ravi’s demonstration at the Indian Music Conference in Goa, India, where he gave a presentation on Entrepreneurship for Artists. While in India he took his Voyage-Air Guitar to a dinner meeting with the largest instrument distributor in India. They’re interested in bringing the Voyage-Air Guitars to India! Hey, thanks Ravi!

While in India, Ravi participated with a charitable organization called Passions Unite, which benefits underprivileged children. Check out the link below to read more about this incredible artist, and to see Ravi performing for the children at Shanti Bhavan: a school for the poor. Scroll to the bottom of the front page to see his performance. www.passionsunite.org

Voyage-Air Guitar is proud to be associated with a musician that cares so deeply for others and his guitar!

Voyage-Air Guitar Artist Relations Director, Virginia Cannon reports from the road:

Wednesday, November 24, 2010 - "Another busy day meeting with Voyage-Air artists, and I finally checked in at the Oakland, CA, airport. While I was in line, a family in front of me spotted the Voyage-Air guitar over my shoulder, and wanted to know all about it. Mara, Eric and the rest couldn't believe it was a full-size guitar in such a small and easy to carry case.

"A few minutes later we were all boarding the plane and finding our seats - Eric rushed to help. As usual, my Voyage-Air guitar easily fit in the overhead bin.

"Is this news? Not really, but just an example of how folks are finding out about Voyage-Air guitars, and how easy it is to travel with them as a carry-on item. I take my Voyage-Air guitar with me everywhere. Once you play one, you will too!"

Newest Voyage-Air Endorser KEVIN WELCH Songwriting Workshops

Kevin Welch and Ray Wylie Hubbard are co-hosting 3 songwriting workshops at a lovely site nestled in the Texas Hill Country, February 24-26, March 24-26, and April 21-23.

These are focused workshops with small groups; each workshop is limited to only 6 participants. You'll arrive on Thursday evening and have a meet and greet and dinner followed by a Welch/Hubbard song swap.

Friday and Saturday is devoted to vital lyric devices, melody, delivery, lyric structure and rhythm - both in small group discussions, and in one-on-one time with both Kevin and Ray. Sunday you'll depart by noon.

Breakfast, dinner and lodging is included. Friday and Saturday have a 90-minute lunch break, so you can enjoy one of the Texas Hill Country's local restaurants.

The November and January workshops are sold out so you’ll want to reserve your spot now for upcoming slots. The price for these focused, small-group workshops is $2000 per person. For more info on these joint workshops or to book your spot, see www.kevinwelch.com.

As our newest endorser, Kevin Welch plays only the Voyage-Air Guitar. He’s put his old fashioned guitars out to pasture!

Voyage-Air Guitarists - Big Winners at the CMA Awards

Brad Paisley is an endorser and a big fan of Voyage-Air guitars. This year, he not only hosted this year’s Country Music Awards (CMA), he ended up taking “Entertainer of the Year.” Whoa!

The Zac Brown Band was nominated for two awards, and Zac was nominated in the songwriting category. Zac’s another smash-hit pro that takes his Voyage-Air guitar everywhere. Although it seems that they’ve been on the music scene forever, the Zac Brown Band took the award as “Best New Artist.”

Another Voyage-Air Guitar player, Alan Jackson, was nominated for “Musical Event of the Year.”

Although not YET a Voyage-Air Player, Mac McAnally took “Musician of the Year.” He plays often with Jimmy Buffet. Jimmy Buffet’s ‘Coral Reefer Band’ – well, two guitar players in the band carry a Voyage-Air. Guess we’ll be heading to another Buffet concert soon!

The CMA Watching Party, hosted by Ole’ was held in downtown Nashville on 2^nd Avenue. Voyage-Air Guitar endorser Chris Wallin and his wife were there to enjoy the festivities. Other celebrities wandered in and out, like Editor in Chief of Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Stacy Standifer. Big fans of Voyage-Air Guitar, Ole’s top executives, Gilles Goddard and Michael McCarty, talked it up to many of the guests.