Vineyard Guitars Guitar Raffle for the Los Angeles Children's Hospital

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles is special place – a place where children have been cared for, and cured, for more than 100 years. From a modest beginning in a two-story house in Los Angeles, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles has become one of the world's top pediatric facilities, acknowledged throughout the United States and around the world for its leadership in pediatric and adolescent health.

Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, nurses and other caregivers – and those who support them – are committed to helping children lead healthier, happier lives today. Physician-scientists and other investigators are dedicated to finding the best means to diagnose, treat and cure pediatric disease and to promote child health tomorrow. Children's Hospital Los Angeles improves the lives of children every day – children who are “...living proof that what we're doing is making a world of difference.”

All Access and Vineyard Guitars are grateful to be able to give a little to the Children who need nothing, but Love and Care. Vineyard Guitars will be Raffling of a One of a Kind Handcrafted Full Size Acoustic Guitar were all the proceeds will go to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. This Guitar is built to perfection, just like the Heart of a Child. It will be autographed by some of the best Bands in the world. The Vineyard Guitar will be given away to the 1 lucky winner at the The Bunny Hop" a charity event for Children's Hospital of Los Angeles which is sponsored by the Hosted at Harpers bar and Grille located at 19333 Business Center Dr. Northridge, Ca 91324. Admission One ‘NEW” Easter Bunny or $10.00 Sponsored By All Access Magazine Info Call Debra at (818) 833-8852.

In doing research on background music in movies and bands, everyone I spoke to said "You must to talk to Rick Wells. He's got a real story to tell." Or they'd say, "Wait till you talk to Rick Wells. He's the most loved person in the music industry."

So I set up an interview with this amazing warm-hearted man who was eager to share his story. It turns out Rick Wells is the Pied Piper of music for under-dog who need a helping hand. "When someone comes to me and I see his/her love for the guitar (or any other musical instrument) and he can't afford to take lessons, and can't afford to buy a guitar, I do whatever I can to help them out."

Rick hates the fact that schools no longer have music programs. "Music is good for the heart", he says. "And another thing," he was warming up now, "who's encouraging the girls to play instruments? No one!"
So Rick has taken it upon himself to encourage the youth or any striving sole with an itch to perform, and without sources, no matter what his background may be. He promotes them into grabbing on to their choice of instrument such as guitar, bass, drums, vocals, or whatever, and learn to express themselves through music. And Rick becomes the bridge to their success.

And when he does help someone, he can't help but think of his mom. Betty Wells was an accomplished accordion player who was a celebrity in her time and played for movie stars like Shirley Temple. Rick said he was raised in a freewheeling artsy climate. Because Betty spoke Spanish she was involved in a bilingual program in the schools and was considered the "Mama of the Mexican People" because she emotionally and financially supported and worked with indigent children in need of money and musical instruments. She was getting ready to start the Betty Wells Foundation to give musical instruments to the needy when she passed away. Is there any wonder that Rick picked up the baton from his mother and has continued the work she started? I asked Rick, is there anyone else besides your mother who inspired you and was a major influence in your life? Without hesitation he said, Roy Macmillan "Mr. Dynamic", the man behind Dynamic Recording Studio. He was dedicated in cultivating many of the bands in the 80's that are stars as well as legends today. He looked at bands as his babies trying to get recognition. And he was not in it for the money. He wanted his babies to succeed. He was a good example, I guess you could call him my mentor, and he was my best friend.

Rick, himself, started in a band when he was sixteen but now works on the business side of music as National Sales Representative for Minarik Guitars among the most respected custom hand-made guitars available today. Rick says he won't be satisfied until public schools go back to teaching more music appreciation courses as well as handing out musical instruments to anyone who has the passion to want to learn to play. He also thinks every school should have a school band or orchestra. And he wants to see the schools encourage more young girls to get involved also. And not just for those who can financially afford it. Rick wants to make music available to everyone.

One afternoon with Rick and one can easily see why others call him the most loved man in the music industry. Where will the musicians, the stars of tomorrow come from? Many will come from the encouragement, guidance and support of Rick Wells. Rick Wells is Artist Relations, Nation Sales Manager and Marketing Director for Vineyard Guitars. Rick Wells believes in supporting the Independent Stores Nationwide with the Highest Quality, Most affordible Guitars, Acoustic Lap Steels and Ukuleles on the market. Priced from $75.00 to $700.00. Rick does not Support the Corporate Super Market Music Stores. Vineyard Guitars are checked out 1 at a time ($40.00 to $100.00 setups before they enter the store). Rick believes that its not the guitar, but the player behind the guitar. Rick Wells has been supporting the Independents for over 25 years.

With the world of mass produced guitars, it make it confusing which guitar will make you a better player. Jango and Tony had a few fingers, Eddie played a low priced guitar, Willie plays a guitar with holes in it, and the story goes on. Why do we listen to what we see in the adds with our Guitar Hero's. We all know that the legends became famous with there ability to listen and learn. Vineyard Instruments are the name know among Artists and Players who have the gift of Knowledge. This gift is the understanding of having a job and the willingness to learn Music Theory. Its about feeling and emotions. The Guitar is a Friend, companion, our good times, our sad times, our life. Why must we spend a fortune on a name that goes into the corporate's pocket. We all know that its the player, not the name on the guitar. The Guitar is a tool. If you break it, you can always get it fixed. The joy of music is understanding your instrument. Knowing how to fix it when it breaks down. Knowing how to play it. Knowing it's just a guitar. So, it gets dirty and sweaty, so what. Look at the books we learn from. If they are used, they have been used. If they look new and unused, they are better off sitting in a Library were Children can read and understand. Why do we put so much into our tools of trade. It is only a guitar. If its out of tune we tune it. If it is dusty we clean it. When the strings are old, we change them. Its all about making the music that opens the heart.

Vineyard is proud to give a helping hand to the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. A place were Children appreciate the simple things in life. A child with a sickness is not sick in the heart. Look in the eyes of a child and find see the innocence and love. We all need to be like children and learn from all they have to offer. When a child is sick. We hold it and give it all our love. Why must we put a value on a guitar. We all know its not the guitar, its the player behind the guitar. If a guitar has high action we should learn to fix it. If the action is to low we should learn to fix it. As a guitarist we should all learn how to make it work. The Guitar is a tool and we should know how to fix it when its down. Why do we need a tuner when we got the ears to hear. It might mean learning to play the guitar before spending a arm and a leg on a instrument that we really don't understand. Many Children are living with no arms or legs, but we as musicians need the best to make ourselves feel better. What would it be like if you woke up with out a arm or leg. Could we accept what we have and move forward. We all have to look at ourselves and ask what is the most important thing in life.

Many Musicians live off of finding that perfect instrument. Is that what music is all about? I hope not. Its about the love of Music. Its about the Love of Life. Its about writing a song that will touch a heart. Why must musicians cry when they have to pay to play. Well, there is a solution. What about having a raffle and give the tickets away. Do the raffle for a good cause and give the proceeds to those in need.

Ted Greene www.tedgreene.com was one of the best players on this earth. He gave his life to helping the homeless. If we could learn from Ted Greene's Love of Life, we can learn from Ted Greene's understanding of feeling and emotion for the Guitar. It's about time that musicians learn to play not beg. Dad and Mom are not going to be around forever. Having a girlfriend or family member support your habit is not going to get you to the top. Legendary Guitarist and Song Writer Joe Walla www.joewalla.com plays for the people. Joe is happy playing to 1 or a million. Legendary Shreadmistress www.shredmistress.com is one of the fastest, most precise guitarist I have ever heard. Rynata is one of the best teachers on this earth. Her understanding of life experiences comes out in her music. If you have a job and want to invest in building your knowledge of Guitar Mathematics, you might want to consider talking to Shreadmistress. You will walk away with knowledge that will last a life time. Now lets talk about Deakon www.deakonguitarist.com. Deakon is a 18 year old guitarist that has spent his life to music. It is just a question of time before he is signed to a Major Label. When you hear Deakon at 18 years of age, you can see were guitarists get jealous. We can all sit back and judge, but this young man is the next Guitar Hero. No Drugs in this young man. Just LSD (Long Slow Distance). Deakon is the next Guitar Hero. This is the year of the young guitarists to be recognized, and Deakon is in my eyes on top of the List. We can all learn from Guitarist's such as Ted Greene, Rynata, Joe Walla and Deakon. We all need to sit down and Listen and Learn.

To Find a Vineyard Dealer near you contact 800 506-0477 or go to his web site at www.praiselandmusic.com