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  This extended play recording may well be unique: it consists entirely of American band marches performed on fingerstyle guitar. I have arranged them all, and in an “alternative” guitar tuning, CGDGAD (capoed up in this recording).
  
  I was once a serious clarinetist. I played in various select bands, and toured with my college concert band. In 1966 I gave up that instrument for guitar, beginning a rather fascinating, frustrating, but fulfilling (yes, many “f” words) journey on that instrument. (My memoir Growing Up in God’s Country details the rather jagged trajectory of that endeavor.) I never lost my affection for band marches, however, and this recording weaves together those two strands of my musical DNA.
  
  These marches have a foot-tapping pulse, beautiful melodies, surprising variations in key and mood, and a soul-stirring fervor. They were all composed by the “March King,” John Philip Sousa, an American, born in Washington, D.C., who lived from 1854 to 1932. He is credited with well over 100 marches (and many other musical compositions).
  
  Band marches are quite difficult to pull off on guitar. I needed the grace of God (thank you, Jesus), and the assistance, skill, and dedication of my friend and co-producer Marc Moss of Target Studios (targetstudios.com). Marc painstaking mixed and mastered this home recording, and collaborated on the design of the CD and package.
  
  These six marches are, to my ears, the most compelling of all the Sousa marches, along with one other – “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (in my opinion, the finest band march ever written). I would not touch that one, because Guy Van Duser has already done a splendid guitar arrangement of “Stars and Stripes.”
  
  I have prepared a lengthy tab/music book for publication by Mel Bay Publications called Strike Up the Band! Classic Marches Arranged for Fingerstyle Guitar. The renditions on this album are derived from, but not identical to, those arrangements. The Mel Bay book describes in detail my approach to arranging this music for guitar. I encourage interested guitarists to purchase that book when it is released.
  
  Let’s strike up the band! I hope you enjoy the music!
  
  
  
  Guitars Used
  Franklin “El McMeen Signature Model OM” – franklinguitarcompany.com
  (“Hands Across the Sea,” “Semper Fidelis,” and “The Thunderer”)
  MacCubbin OS Model – maccubbinguitars.com
  (“El Capitan,” “King Cotton,” and “The Liberty Bell”)
  
  Strings: Elixir® Nanowebs
  
  Credit for Clipart of the Band on the Cover
  ID 14375210 © Colorcurvedesign|Dreamstime.com
  
  Produced by El McMeen and Marc Moss
  
  Dedicated to my dear wife of nearly 50 years, Sheila Taenzler McMeen,
  and our children and grandchildren. Luv ya! ... more
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