Chi McClean

Hanging at Westfield Shopping Center in Escondido, CA after my performance.

On Thursday, I battled Los Angeles area traffic and worked my way down to Escondido, CA to perform as part of the Taylor Guitars Summer Concert Series at Westfield North Country. Load-in and set up was a snap with a sweet loading deck just around the corner from the performance area and easy access to the stage. After chatting with the folks at Westfield North County and a quick conversation with the gang at Taylor Guitars, I set up my rig, displayed the merch, warmed up, sound checked, and hit it for a power-hour set. I had a ton of fun and was just so excited to play. After nearly succumbing to the traffic woes earlier in the day while escaping the clutches of Los Angeles, I was so stoked to be singing and strumming for an attentive audience. We had a some laughs (at my expense, but hey… whatever works) and had some fun moments with a few of the younger members of the audience.

I've got this thing down to a science: the load-in.

At the end of the show, we held a drawing for a brand new, Taylor Guitars SolidBody electric guitar. The thing was beautiful and, if I was more clever, I would have found a way to nab the thing and make off with it! A sick, cherry sunburst, flame-top finish was calling my name… In the end, it went to a very lucky winner/member of the audience who seemed genuinely grateful for the gift. He had played some guitar as a kid, however, he assured me that he would take it up again, now that he had the appropriate axe in his possession. I set him up with a Chi McClean prize pack including two CDs, stickers, and a ChiMcClean.com pint glass to give him some further encouragement and inspiration.

Just in case you were wondering what I've been picking on recently... Here are my go-to's. Nothing sounds better. Period.

A tremendous thanks to my friends at Taylor Guitars for inviting me to perform as part of this concert series, kudos to Westfield North County for coordinating all of the details and making sure everything ran smoothly, and big thanks to everyone in the audience who listened so attentively and joined me in having a heck of time this Thursday. Stay cool down there this summer and keep rockin’!

To check out the latest acoustic, acoustic-electric, and electric guitar offerings from Taylor Guitars, simply click over to their website at www.taylorguitars.com and browse away!