(Picture from sunrise yesterday, just as we re-entered the world on our way home, at a gas station just off I25).

Oh boy, where to start.

There are so many moments to share, so many things to remember.

Here are just a few highlights, with many more to come from me and I'm sure others.

Also, I'll be sorting through my pictures and posting some of the good ones over the coming days.

- vinsgirl gave a fabulous performance on Sunday night. She said she was very nervous on the first song but played and sang beuatifully. When she tried to leave the stage shouts of encouragement convinced her to stay for one more song, a very difficult arrangement of Over the Rainbow (origally done by Eva Cassidy) that she was still learning. The delicate and complex chord work she did on her Godin left everybody with their tongues hanging out. (No picture here on request.)

- Hollie and Evan uncorked nervy renditions of two classics -- Angel Eyes, and Black Orpheus. Hollie was on clarinet and Evan was on piano. They are both 13. They were first up to play on Sunday night, and kicked off what was to be a fantastic new thread in our L1 conferences -- youth. Later in the conference we would be treated to another teenage band, professionals from central Colorado (more on that later.)

- Tom Munch, whom at Big Sur I said had the best amplified vocal and acoustic guitar tone I'd ever heard, uncorked an unforgettable performance of a song of deep personal meaning on Monday night. My feeling was that he was able to truly enjoy himself because by then he knew what we all knew -- the conference was a huge success and he was the central reason why. The song, about the oldest living organisms on earth -- the bristlecone pine -- was an overwhelming tour de force. My comment from Big Sur stands, but also I want to add now that Tom is one of the finest artists I've ever had the pleasure with whom to work.

Much more later.

I'll share my remembrances in a quasi-chronological fashion. I had to download a batch of photos to Mike Z's computer and I haven't retrieved those yet so they'll appear later even though they'll be from the first part of the trip.

We had absolutely perfect weather on Sunday. There was not a cloud in the sky and late in the afternoon as the sun started to sink, many folks started to arrive and relax outside The Timbers, the restaurant/bar in which the conference was held.

Here's Cliff-at-Bose (inventor of the L1).

And Neil-at-Bose.

And the amazing rwj (Rick Jordan) who would treat us to his amazing music later in the evening.

He's wearing my favorite Bose T-shirt, the classic White on Black. On Monday, all non-Bose performers received their own T-shirt

I'm still processing & trying to find words through a sleepless haze about the conference. I didn't get a chance to take any pictures once we were there, even though my digital SLR was right by me & at the ready. It was a crazy time.

Thank you to everyone who expressed such kind words over the event. I am so grateful to each & every one of you for making this conference extremely memorable.

I'll be posting memories & details as I regain consciousness over the next couple days & pack up all the gear that's going back to Framingham.

Oh what a time it was...

Tom

I just counted 6 of us online now who were in Cuchara, and still no more post-conference thoughts! I thought I was looking in a mirror seeing Rick in his Bose t-shirt. Well, you know, except for the glasses, cap and age . It wears well, doesn't it.

What a nice time, I must say. Got home late last night after a weather delay in Chicago, and today - like many, I bet - is a bit of catch up. Hard not to come here immediately to attempt to "extend" the weekend. I suppose that is why they - the conferences - are as neat and truly special as they are. "Leave them wanting more," wouldn't you say?

I am very glad I was able to come and share some beautiful, earthly space with many of you. Speaking of that (and going a little beyond), I shared with the group in St. Louis, and again with a few around the lunch table on Monday in Cuchara, that this "thing" is about so much more than a loudspeaker. Honestly, that's just a tool for something greater that's happening.

I was camera-less, so I've nothing of my own to post in that regard. Thanks, Ken, for your pictures, and in advance for others' to come.

Tom, it was very nice to meet you in person. I appreciated very much your smile upon my late arrival, and warm welcome. And thank you for accompanying me Monday night! Thank you for the tremendous work you accomplished to make things go.

Pony Express was so...intimidating! Oh, man! What a good, good group. The antithesis of sibling rivalry. At 13, 15 and barely 18, no way should they be that good. If I was forced to pick my favorite aspect of the conference, well...I would just have to be forced. Too much to cover, and impossible to really rank. But these guys are really up there. A definite high point.

Cliff's "stealing" My Blue Heaven from me: a total joke, of course. Had this not occurred, I would not have been able to hear this version, but more importantly his miniscule "family/home" comment right before beginning the tune. That speaks volumes. If you know me as some of you do, it's no surprise to you that this could be my theme song. It was far more warming (and maybe in a way, a little disarming) for me to hear it done, than to sing it myself. So, Cliff. Thanks for stealing it.

Oh, there's more. There's always more. Some public, some private. It's impossible to cover due to the time constraints we place on ourselves or simply because of the limitations of our vocabulary.

For those I've come to know, and those I've yet to meet, may you always find yourself on the sunny side of the street.

BBE

Hey, hooray to all you attendees from one of the poor slobs who couldn't be there. (Connecticut had nice weather, too, btw, and the concert went great.)

Okay, haze lifting... more stories and pictures! Let's have 'em!

Congratulations to Tom for making it happen, and all for having a great time!

Mary

Where to begin...

Thank you, Tom. Thank you, everone "at-Bose".

From the moment I walked in the door (a little late Sunday evening at the end of dinner), I was greeted with a wamth of spirit that is pretty rare. I had a wonderful time and was humbled by the amount of talent among all of you. The setting and venue and everything about the conference greatly exceeded my expectations.
There is much more to say, but that will do for now.

Oh yes, and my dad asked me to express his thanks. He too felt welcomed and he had a wonderful time of L1 indoctrination. I know he wants to say it in his own words so I'll post them soon.

Rocky Mountain High indeed.

John

AOS has been achieved!! Welcome back from the conference, everyone! I can't wait to read everything and see the pics... Please share the story of your journey with us!

p.s. Thanks for the pics already, Ken!

One thing that was a true testament to just how good the L1 is: Throughout Sunday and particularly Monday evenings, many different individuals and groups got up to perform. Each had their own instrument(s) and rig and each time the change-over was quick - usually a couple minutes - 5 at most. And the sound was stellar for all performances. Try that with a triple system.

John

Hey all,

It was a BLAST!!!!
I'm still processing and will post my thoughts later. Right now it's back to work.

Oh, and Nathan, don't forget the two chins. Ha!

Rick

I'm also in decompress-and-catch up mode, but I can't let another minute go by without expressing a huge THANK YOU to Tom Munch for all that he did to organize this event!

Tom, I've greatly enjoyed your singing and playing before and have always agreed with all who laud your talent for getting rich, clear, beautiful tone from your voice and guitars. Your Monday afternoon clinic on that subject should be mandatory for all aspiring performers, IMO. Still, I feel like I really heard all of your true musical being for the first time when you poured every ounce of your heart and soul into that rendition of The Bristlecone Pine. A masterpiece in every sense of the word. I had no idea that you could play and sing like that! You were the perfect vehicle for that song in that place at that moment in time. Please tell me that it was as transcendental for you as it was for us...

So many great performances by so many talented musicians! A few (of so many) other high points for me:

Jaquie Gipson! I am in awe of your talent and I'm so happy that you won the PorchBoard door prize. I can't wait to hear what you might do with it!

The banter during Tom's clinic between Tom and Larry - two of the richest vocal tones that I've ever heard coming from an L1 - picking apart, bickering, almost arguing, sweating the tiny details of mic selection vs. mic technique vs. vocal technique, etc. - PRICELESS!

Neil and Craig jamming on Traffic and Beatles tunes. Most often seen doing so much for so many in Framingham, it was so cool to watch you guys losing yourselves in the music of the moment!

"I Saw The Light" - Man, what a collection of humanity on the stage! Can't wait to see some pix, or better yet some video of that one!

That'll have to do for now. I'm almost short of breath again just from the memories of Cuchara...

Peace to all,

Chuck

[Edit - Fixed typos, including my misspelling of Jaquie's last name - oops!]

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck-at-Bose:

Jaquie Gipson! I am in awe...

Yes, Chuck. Tons to say about so much finery. BUT THIS ONE! Never have I heard or seen anyone or anything like her!

[Edit - Fixed Chuck-at-Bose's misspelling of Jaquie's last name.]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Chuck-at-Bose,

One more high point that I had to let out - Cliff's take on how best to answer a musical artist who asks "What's pink noise?"

...and that would be... ?

quote:

Originally posted by Chuck-at-Bose:
One more high point that I had to let out - Cliff's take on how best to answer a musical artist who asks "What's pink noise?"

I can only paraphrase, but the general idea was that they'd immediately understand if they experienced (heard) it (presses the 'play' button and it comes out of the loudspeaker) and might very well never understand if all I did was try to explain it with words. Ain't it the truth!

Chuck,

Bristlecone Pine,

I'm not sure what mode I was in as I sang that. Let me think. I remember stuggling with the guitar & my voice for some reason...being conscious of all that had happened that day....then letting go....closing my eyes...& just singing that song as I have a hundred times, but of course for an audience whom I knew would feel it with me in a profound way. It's an honor to connect with that song.

Tom

Okely dokely,

Back from work.

Here's another installment of the Cuchara diaries.

The first presentation on Sunday morning was by Craig-at-Bose. He took us through an insider's look at the development of the Model II and the T1 engine.

His approach was to explain our thinking behind all the major decisions in the product.

Craig got help from Neil-at-Bose.

As part of Craig's presentation, Tom Munch played a solo tune so that everyone could walk the room and stage and listen to the projection of the new Model II.