Bloggerhythms

Emerson, Lake & Palmer superfan, Andy Pincus, posing with Keith Emerson's "World's Most Dangerous Synthesizer" Do you want to marvel at Keith Emerson's very own Moog synthesizer? Do you also want to hear someone play it live? Are you interested in the history of ARP and Moog synthesizers? Do you want to learn about electronic wind instruments, keytars, guitar synthesizers and electronic drums? Do you want to test drive an electro-theremin yourself just like I did? If your answer is yes to any of those questions you'll need to visit one of the coolest music museums you'll ever find, the hands-on  Museum of Music Technology (MMT) in Harleysville, PA, a small but bustling suburb about forty-five minutes from Philadelphia and only about two minutes from the Pennsylvania Turnpike. MMT is operated by EMEAPP , a 501(c) (3) privately owned, non-profit ...

This quote is stenciled on the wall at the entrance to the museum What do the songs "Julia" and "Blackbird" from The Beatles' White Album have in common with Eric Clapton's famous, 1992, unplugged concert on MTV? The answer: John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Clapton each played a C. F. Martin acoustic guitar during those performances. Considered by musicians around the world as being among the finest musical instruments of their kind it seems like every famous axeman owns at least one Martin. Among them are Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, Mark Knopfler, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Amanda Shires, The Avett Brothers, John Mayer, Muddy Waters, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Hank Williams, Sting, Elvis Presley, Neil Young and the recently departed David Crosby . The business began in 1833 in New York City. Because German immigrant and company founder Christian Frederick Martin and his family were not happy living there he moved...

All photos by Karin Ricci The sign at the entrance to the hall I've continually dumped all over the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame  for many years by heavily questioning what artists should or shouldn't be inducted. It's been a hobby of mine. I still have strong opinions on the subject, especially because all of the obvious choices were rewarded with plaques on the building's third floor gallery a long time ago. Now, just to keep the money rolling in - and produce an annual, overblown, TV extravaganza - the hall seems to honor every artist who meets their minimum eligibility requirements whether they deserve it or not. (I'm looking at you Judas Priest). That said, I must offer some sort of an apology to the hall because - despite their often poor choices - as a museum it was way better than expected and is a place you must see. While there, you'll realize that who is or ...