Building guitars and amps by hand takes quite a bit of time. Here are some of the albums that have helped pass the hours while we melt solder, pull tolex, sand and sand some more. Hopefully, we'll turn you on to something you haven't heard before or need to rediscover. Got a suggestion for us? Send us a note!

No association with any of these artists is implied.

In 3-Dimensions by Deke Dickerson
My friends Danny and Mandy were kind enough to introduce me to Deke when he played at Radio Radio a few years back. Nice fella. He even handed me his vintage Tele to take a look at. I just wish I had been able to make it to the cookout before the show to talk with him a bit more. Anyway, Deke is a guitar player's guitar player. I still get a big grin thinking about his rendition of Mule Skinner Blues. This album has a little bit of everything. The rockabilly tracks are unreal. A couple favorites include It Would Be A Doggone Lie and You've Been Honky Tonkin'
http://www.dekedickerson.com

The Cold Stares
The Cold Stares are a big sounding two-piece from a little bit south of here. Their newly released EP contains four songs and is less than a finski. Skip Taco Bell today and buy this EP. Good stuff.
http://www.thecoldstares.com

The White Album by the Beatles
Where am I?
You're in the records room.
Oh. Do you have the Beatles' White Album?
http://www.thebeatles.com/

The Truth & Salvage Co.
The Truth & Salvage Co. accompanied the Black Crowes at the Murat in Indy on 11/10. I had been introduced to this talented bunch of fellows some weeks ago through the BC website, so I was looking forward to hearing them live. They did not disappoint. Hearing bands like this reminds me why I love music. And now their EP is firmly fastened to the CD spinner in the shop stereo. Looking forward to hearing more from them.
http://www.truthandsalvageco.com/

Christmas in the Heart by Bob Dylan
I have more Bob Dylan records than teeth. This Christmas album is also a treat. And "all of Bob Dylan's U.S. current and future royalties from sales of Christmas In The Heart will be donated in perpetuity to Feeding America..." Great music and a great cause. Makes me want to cover something in red tolex.
http://www.bobdylan.com

$600 Boots by Mandy Marie and the Cool Hand Lukes
Mandy is a local gal with loads of talent not only as a Tele picker but as song writer as well. Their first album was just released, and it is well-worth the price of admission. She has a great band with her that knocks out some terrific rockabilly rhythms.
http://www.myspace.com/mandymarieandthecoolhandlukes

Before the Frost...Until the Freeze by The Black Crowes
There are a few artists that have received steady playtime on my record-tape-cd-and-now-mp3 player over the years. The Black Crowes are one of those bands. I learned to play guitar by listening to Rich Robinson and noodling through the "Shaker Your Money Maker" song book. My brother would sing and I would play and women would swoon. We'd scour the record shops for import CDs to find gems like "Waitin' Guilty," "Chevrolet," and "Words You Throw Away." And then there were the live shows...a lot of great memories. So, I was excited to learn about "Warpaint" after the band's hiatus. And hearing about "Before the Frost...Until the Freeze" was almost more than I could bear. Life is good.
http://www.blackcrowes.com

Hillbilly Madness! by Cousin Harley
Paul Pigat can play better with his feet than I could with four hands. Listen to "Noodlin'" and try not to feel like an underachiever.
http://www.cousinharley.com

Dirt Farmer by Levon Helm
If you don't know him by name, you may recognize Mr. Helm's voice from his work with the Band. One of my all-time favorite singers: "Ophelia," "Up on Cripple Creek," "Don't Do It," and his cover of "Atlantic City." Wow. There's no need to hit the "Skip" button on his latest effort; the entire album is a joy to hear. Stand outs include "Poor Old Dirt Farmer," "The Girl I Left Behind," and "A Train Robbery."
http://www.levonhelm.com

Old Crow Medicine Show by Old Crow Medicine Show
Call it old-timey, call bluegrass, call it mountain music...whatever it is, it's good.
http://www.crowmedicine.com