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Here Al demonstrates his radical new extended technique to Tony McManus.

Here Al demonstrates his radical new extended playing technique to Tony McManus. (Not recommended for beginners!)

Since 1991, Warren Wilson College has hosted The Swannanoa Gathering. For those who haven’t heard of it before, The Swannanoa Gathering is a series of week-long workshops , where attendees can learn about  and participate in a multitude of different folk arts.

Of course our favorite part of the Gathering is Guitar Week — which this year runs from July 25 through the 31st. Boasting an incredible staff of world class musicians and teachers, Guitar Week has something for every eager acoustic guitarist.

Our very own Al Petteway, who is the coordinator of Guitar Week, is doing an exciting series of classes called “Standard Tuning As An Open Tuning”. His classes are always very fun and extremely informative. Al Petteway also selects the rest of Swannanoa’s  instructors to ensure that the quality of instruction is at the highest possible level.

Tony McMannus doing what he does best.

Tony McManus doing what he does best.

Other notable luminaries lending there talents include the incredible Tony McManus, Vicki Genfan, Adam Rafferty, and Robin Bullock. They offer everything from courses on Celtic Flatpicking, to Acoustic Guitar: Percussive & Rhythmic Techniques. Truly something for everyone.

Dream Guitars will be there in full force too — showing off, what else, the best guitars in the world! We welcome everyone to come and visit us, and play the amazing creations we showing off.

We love to get out of the shop and rub elbows with our fellow musicians — to be part of the community, and to help foster guitar awareness whenever we can.  I hope to see you there.  It’s going to be a great time!

RAY CHESNA

Dream guitars  is proud to welcome the latest member of our team, Ray Chesna. A veteran repair man, performer, and teacher, Ray brings years of experience and an abundance of talent to the table.

Ray Chesna has repaired instruments owned by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, and Bill Wyman.

Ray Chesna has repaired instruments owned by Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, and Bill Wyman.

A graduate of the Charles Fox’s venerable Guitar Research and Design School, Ray honed his prodigious skills at Stuyvesant Music on 48th Street in Manhattan, and at New York’s legendary Matt Umanov’s in Greenwich Village.

Here is just a small sampling of clients that have entrusted their precious instruments with Ray: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Johnny Cash, Keith Richards, Bill Wyman… You get the idea, and the list goes on and on!

If your guitar requires a neck reset, cracks repaired, or simply its annual tune up, Ray Chesna is your man. His work is exceptional – whether your instrument is a flattop, an archtop, or an electric.

Dream guitars has always aimed to be more than just another guitar shop. Our goal is to bring you the very best products and service available. For that reason we are thrilled to have Ray Chesna  heading up our repair department.

He has the ability to make guitars sing, and the expertise to refine your new favorite, or to restore your old workhorse to its former glory. So give us a call and find out how the Dream Guitars repair department can help you.