Running in Las Vegas

[Robert]

I am running the Las Vegas Marathon on Dec 2nd. Any good guitar stores I should check while I'm there?

This is my first time to Vegas. Should be fun. :beer:

[Justaguyin_nc]

Any good guitar stores I should check while I'm there?

This is my first time to Vegas. Should be fun. :beer:

Wow, hit the casino's and don't forget..what happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas...like your money...;)

Ed Roman Guitars
http://www.edroman.com/

[Spudman]

Take some DVD's and CD's of your guitar playing and pop into all the live music spots. Leave some with the house engineers or the band's engineer or if you can the main artist. Tell them you are looking to play with a national act. You need out of programming.:)

[just strum]

Ed Roman Guitars
http://www.edroman.com/

I didn't realize he was back in business - do you know when he opened back up?

[Tone2TheBone]

Remember the ole saying....what happens in Vegas...stays in Vegas. Have fun.

[Robert]

Thanks for the tips guys! Spudman, that's a pretty cool idea! Thanks for being so supportive. I don't know if I am brave enough to stick my head into the fire like that... have I really got what it takes?

[sunvalleylaw]

Thanks for the tips guys! Spudman, that's a pretty cool idea! Thanks for being so supportive. I don't know if I am brave enough to stick my head into the fire like that... have I really got what it takes?


YES! You should also bring a guitar and amph and set up on the roof somewhere like U2 did way back when in some vid. Well, maybe not, but you should definately do the former. Spud and I were just talking about it (you promoting yourself and getting hooked up with a larger music situation) this weekend during the concert. If you have any desire to, I support your doing so. :AOK:

[ted s]

Go for it Robert ! , you have ZERO to gamble on that.
Worst case.. The fret picks up some new members passing through Vegas.

[Katastrophe]

My vote... One evening on the strip: Robert + Strat + battery powered Pignose amph = fame and fortune.

[Spudman]

Thanks for the tips guys! Spudman, that's a pretty cool idea! Thanks for being so supportive. I don't know if I am brave enough to stick my head into the fire like that... have I really got what it takes?

You are welcome and yes you do have what it takes. As a sideman you would take any performer to new levels. No doubts!

[stingx]

Make sure you check out that leprechaun Ed Roman's joint.

[Robert]

Do we have any fretters close to Vegas? It would be fun to meet and jam at a music store!

[sunvalleylaw]

I already google mapped it to check it out. You are, according to Google Maps, 5 hours closer than when you are in Camrose, but still 9 hours away. I usually beat Google map times, but that is too far for this cowboy this time. If you were in the north part of Nevada instead of the south, I would drive down for sure. Another time.

[wingsdad]

Try to get tickets to Cirque de Soleil's Beatles 'Love' at the Mirage. Ain't cheap, but worth every penny.

[jpfeifer]

Hi Robert,

You should definitely check out Ed Roman's store. This is the candy store of high-quality guitars. You're likely to find just about every top-of-the-line brands in there. Maybe even the Shur guitars?

I travel to Vegas often for my work but I still have never been to Ed Roman's shop. I've heard that the guy can be very opinionated and not very nice but I don't know this first hand. Other people in Las Vegas tell me that he is alright. I only know that he carries all of the best guitars that money can buy. I've always wanted to go to his shop for an afternoon and try some guitars.

You might also want to see who is playing at "House of Blues" located in the Mandalay Bay casino. I also have some friends in a band called "Turning Point" that play at the Mandalay Bay quite often. If they are playing there in the lounge you should go and check them out. They do a kind of smooth Jazz and world music style, and their guitar player is extremely good. The drummer is a friend of mine from my college days.

-- Jim

[Adrian30]

I don't know if I am brave enough to stick my head into the fire like that... have I really got what it takes?

YES! You are brave enough! Do it Robert and, hey, no pressure. Just be yourself. You're a great player with tons of experience! (With tons being thousands of kg, just like in Sweden :D )

But seriously, you should listen to Spud.

I wish you all the good luck!:)

[luvmyshiner]

Hey Robert, I also had heard that Ed was closing down shop, but maybe he's opened a new one, or the rumor was wrong. Either way, I was in Vegas in May and got the chance to check out the place. Forget the "big showroom" where they house all the guitars. Ask one of the employees to show you the higher end guitars. They have a special showroom off from the other stuff, with a dedicated AC unit (the AC was out in the rest of the store when we were there and it was hot as hell) where they keep the high dollar stuff. They have at least one employee in there at all times who will let you know which guitars you are allowed to touch, and that is where you'll find the sweet stuff.:)

[Robert]

I'll check out Ed Roman's place for sure. That guy is a legend!

At the House of Blues, a band called SOCIAL DISTORTION WITH THE HEDRONS will be playing. Sounds like it may be punk? Hope not, punk is not my thing. I was hoping for some good, tasty guitar-based blues band. There should be plenty of other venues to check out though.

[Spudman]

Robert
Start here.
http://www.pollstar.com/tour/searchall.pl?Content=C-NV_Las%2BVegas&Date_From=Today&Date_To=10-09-2009&By=City&PSKey=Y&StartSearch.x=15&StartSearch.y=11

[snoglobe]

I have a friend who raves about Cowtown Guitars in Vegas.

http://www.cowtownguitars.com/

As for Social Distortion. That show would be a must on my list.

[Robert]

If you didn't think I was crazy enough, I just registered to run another race in Vegas - the day before the marathon! Duh! It's only a 5k race though, and I get a Santa costume for the effort. Couldn't resist. ;)

It's a fund raiser for the Opportunity Village. Hey, you can sponsor me if you want! They even gave me a page for this, go to:
http://www.active.com/donate/greatsantarun/RRenman

About the Opportunity Village
Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities by providing them with vocational training, employment and social recreation services that make their lives more productive and interesting. Through Opportunity Village’s programs and services, hundreds of people with disabilities are learning vocational skills and being placed in jobs throughout the community.

[Robert]

Count down is on! Man I am looking forward to this marathon on Sunday....

Looking for sponsors for my 5 kilometer race the day before the marathon... anyone interested in sponsoring me? It is for a good cause - the Opportunity Village.

Sponsor me here -
http://www.active.com/donate/greatsantarun/RRenman

[Robert]

I am leaving today guys - check this page on Sunday and realize how much I'll be hurtin' - http://running.zappos.com/n/mr

Play me a note or two on your guitars. :D

[warren0728]

good luck robert....i guess "break a leg" might not be the most appropriate wish of good luck this time! :rotflmao:

ww

[Robert]

Thanks!

My wife will run the race dressed up as Elvis. She will even bring a fake guitar, made by an almost normal size photograph of my blue Fender Strat, glued to a light weight foam board!

The background for all of this is that the organizers are trying to set a new world record in the number of Elvis runners that finish a marathon. I'll post pictures on my website when we get back.
See http://www.lvmarathon.com/Elvis.481.0.html for the Elvis details.

[Algonquin]

Well I checked Zappos, and Robert and Denise have completed their runs.

Congratulations to both of you...

Oh man, and to think I was tired after shovelling the driveway!

I've got to get in shape (Round doesn't count ;) )

[just strum]

I just noticed the announcment on the main page says

"Robert running Las Vegas Marathon: December 1st, 2007 to December 5th, 2007"

boy, he's going to be sore and tired.:D

[SuperSwede]

I just noticed the announcment on the main page says

"Robert running Las Vegas Marathon: December 1st, 2007 to December 5th, 2007"

boy, he's going to be sore and tired.:D

Yup, Canada > Las Vegas is a pretty impressive distance. No wonder he needs all those hemp products too keep up ;)

[Robert]

Thanks guys - I am back! It was hard work, but a lot of fun.

I was 33rd overall and my time is my 3rd fastest marathon. It qualified me for Boston Marathon next year.

I'll try and put some pictures up tomorrow.

[Robert]

Here are some photos - http://www.marathonfoto.com/order_assigned_photos.cfm?BFI=442kcf64o0&OID=19792007F1&BibNumber=586&CustomerNumber=H41D94&Currency=USD&Language=en

[Robert]

I wrote up a long story about the trip on my blog - http://www.dolphinstreet.com/blog/las-vegas-marathon-2007.php

Take a look at the slide show photos - my wife ran as Elvis and she was carrying one of my guitars! (sort of)... :)

[Robert]

And I was in good company as well...


http://www.thefret.net/imagehosting/thum_747641937986bb.jpg (http://www.thefret.net/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=151)

[just strum]

Just checked some of the books my kids read when they were younger, no mention of those two Santa's helpers - Must be a "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" thing :D