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JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:08 am:   

If you happen to live in the Philadelphia area (or have a cable provider that broadcasts the Philly PBS station, WHYY) you had a chance to see about 2 hours of George Benson...in concert...and live in the studio.

The concert was recorded in Dublin, Ireland. I didn't see all of it, but he was playing the GB5 and the GB12. If somebody saw it, maybe they can confirm this: I thought I saw clear tape over the GB5 sound holes!

This was part of the PBS fund drive effort. During the breaks they actually had GB in the studio. He was answering questions and signing autographs that were to be included in the 2 CD anthology set that PBS was offering for a $180 pledge. There was a video of the concert for $120. (Maybe I 've got the prices reversed.)

Among some fairly insightful questions about GB's music and past, the interviewer asked about George's guitar designing efforts. GB went into a pretty nice explanation of hooking up with Ibanez, "in the old days...about 20 years ago". He mentioned seeing their guitars in stores and was impressed with the quality, but they needed original designs. That's where he came in, and the rest is history. He NEVER mentioned Gibson AT ALL. It makes me wonder whether he's really jumped ship?

My VCR is on the fritz, so I couldn't record it. Maybe somebody else out there in TV land did?
Seth
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:08 am:   

Here's a link:

http://www.pbs.org/whatson/press/fall/georgebenson.html

The Boston and New Hampshire PBS stations don't seem to be airing the special unfortunately (guess who won't be pledging this year). Isn't GB originally from Philadelphia?
JohnS
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:08 am:   

Seth:

You know where every thing is on the Net! I couldn't find anything in the NY area that shows if it will be aired again...let alone having GB live.

GB is originally from Pittsburg.

Here's something else he said. He's going to Hawaii for the winter and supposed to tour (sounded like they were still working out the details) with BB King starting in April. I think I'll get in line for those tickets.
Harold
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:08 am:   

Guys,

Thanks for the Information.
I had heard about the George Benson Special on PBS and was wondering how I might know when it would Air in my area. The Link is the best thing since the T.V. Guide.

FYI_ Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, (out of Atlanta, GA.), is featuring "GEORGE BENSON" on the cover of their November 2000 issue.
The November issue of JJG also includes an interview of George Benson by Charles Chapman head of the Guitar Department at the Berekley School of Music in Boston MA.

Harold
garry
Posted on Friday, October 08, 2004 - 11:08 am:   

If any body taped the George Benson special, l sure would like to get a copy.

garribenson@bigpond.com

Cheers!

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