Made In America
The Story of Furious Slides:
I've been playing bass for over 40+ years now, and I’ve been an aerospace machinist for over 33 years. So I'm constantly coming up with ideas on how to improve different products I use in both those worlds. I guess it was only a matter of time before both my music world and machining world would collide. It was my curiosity as to how different materials work in different situations, and the fact that no one had changed the basic guitar slide in 50 years that led me to the creation of the titanium Furious Slide.
Furious Slides are unlike any other titanium slide on the market today, because they are the only titanium slide on the planet that are machined from a solid bar of aerospace grade titanium. This allows me the freedom to make my slides to my exact specifications, and not being limited to the dimensions of the common thin walled seamless titanium tubing that is readily available. This is what gives the Furious Slide it’s unique tone and amazing sustain.
Furious Slides are unlike any other titanium slide on the market today, because they are the only titanium slide on the planet that are machined from a solid bar of aerospace grade titanium. This allows me the freedom to make my slides to my exact specifications, and not being limited to the dimensions of the common thin walled seamless titanium tubing that is readily available. This is what gives the Furious Slide it’s unique tone and amazing sustain.
Dave Gamez
The concept of the Furious Slide came about over 6 years ago when I had made up a titanium guitar slide for my friend Dave Gamez to try out. Dave was the lead guitarist in the band I was in at the time, and Dave is just a great great slide guitar player. Dave was thrilled with the tone and the sustain of my little titanium creation, telling me it was the best slide he had ever used. So over about a 5 year period, I would end up making 4 or 5 slides for different guitar player friends in Tucson, and all of them loved them, saying the same thing, that it felt like metal but had the tone of glass, but with way more sustain than their glass slides.
Pat Travers
So, fast forward 5 years and the Rock Legends Cruise in December of 2011, and getting the chance to meet one of my all time favorite guitar players and artists, the legendary Pat Travers. I told him about these titanium slides that I had been making for a few of my guitar player friends back home, and how they all really liked them. I told him that if he was interested in trying one out, I'd be happy to send him one. He said he was definitely interested and to contact him after the cruise. Well it just happened that we were both going to
be at the NAMM Show in Anaheim a few weeks later, so I told him I would just get the information from him then. When we crossed paths again at NAMM, I reminded him about the titanium slides, and he seemed really excited about getting his hands on one. So after a few weeks of back and forth emails between myself and Rodney O'Quinn, Pat's bass player and road manager, I finally got all the information I needed to move forward with getting a couple slides made and sent off to Pat. My big concern with Pat's slide was getting the size as close to what he had been using for so many years, that way it would be a comfortable transition from his old slide to his new titanium slide. I really have to thank Rodney, he was truly key to the entire Pat Travers, Furious Slides connection taking place, without his efforts, it may have never happened. Within weeks of talking with Rodney, Pat had a couple Furious Slides in his possession, and it was just a matter of me waiting to hear back from him. I knew Pat was in the final stages of recording his new "Blues on Fire" CD, so I didn't want to bug him, I figured if he liked it, he'd get back to me when he had a chance. Well he did get back to me...he was blown away by his Furious Slide, so much so that he went back into the studio and rerecorded 8 of the lead slide guitar tracks on his CD using his new Furious Slide. And this was all I needed to hear to put a fire under my feet and get the wheels turning.
be at the NAMM Show in Anaheim a few weeks later, so I told him I would just get the information from him then. When we crossed paths again at NAMM, I reminded him about the titanium slides, and he seemed really excited about getting his hands on one. So after a few weeks of back and forth emails between myself and Rodney O'Quinn, Pat's bass player and road manager, I finally got all the information I needed to move forward with getting a couple slides made and sent off to Pat. My big concern with Pat's slide was getting the size as close to what he had been using for so many years, that way it would be a comfortable transition from his old slide to his new titanium slide. I really have to thank Rodney, he was truly key to the entire Pat Travers, Furious Slides connection taking place, without his efforts, it may have never happened. Within weeks of talking with Rodney, Pat had a couple Furious Slides in his possession, and it was just a matter of me waiting to hear back from him. I knew Pat was in the final stages of recording his new "Blues on Fire" CD, so I didn't want to bug him, I figured if he liked it, he'd get back to me when he had a chance. Well he did get back to me...he was blown away by his Furious Slide, so much so that he went back into the studio and rerecorded 8 of the lead slide guitar tracks on his CD using his new Furious Slide. And this was all I needed to hear to put a fire under my feet and get the wheels turning.
Rodney O'Quinn
Rodney O'Quinn has been such a big help...through Rodney not only was I able to connect with Pat Travers, but Rodney also intruduced me to Bryan Bassett from Foghat. Bryan Bassett is not only an amazing slide player, but he was also able to pass one of my slides onto Peter Frampton for me.
All along I had a game plan as to how I wanted to market my slides. In my mind, my first step was to sit down
and make up a list of all my favorite slide players that I wanted to try out my slide, sort of my personal dream list.
My thought was, what a great way to know where I stood with my slides before I jumped in to a production
situation than to hand out some slides to some well respected players, and hopefully get their feedback.
So I purchased enough titanium to run about 40 slides, and then started working all my various connections
in the music business to see if I could get them to a few of the players on my list. I started searching all their
various tour schedules, trying to put some sort of a “connect the dots” game plan together to see if any of my
connections and players paths would cross at some point.
and make up a list of all my favorite slide players that I wanted to try out my slide, sort of my personal dream list.
My thought was, what a great way to know where I stood with my slides before I jumped in to a production
situation than to hand out some slides to some well respected players, and hopefully get their feedback.
So I purchased enough titanium to run about 40 slides, and then started working all my various connections
in the music business to see if I could get them to a few of the players on my list. I started searching all their
various tour schedules, trying to put some sort of a “connect the dots” game plan together to see if any of my
connections and players paths would cross at some point.
Keith Sewell
One unexpected thing happen the evening that I finished running that first group of slides. I had tickets to go see Lyle Lovett and his Acoustic Band here in Tucson at the Fox Theater, and knowing what an amazing musician Lyle's lead guitar player Keith Sewell was, I figured why not take a slide to the show and see if I could pass one on to him. So at the end of their show as they were walking off stage, I handed a slide to Luke Bulla, another amazing musician, who in turn passed it on to Keith. Keith came right back out, waved at me and said thank you...and that was that, one down and only 30 or so to go!
Keith Glenn
Next I turned to my friend Keith Glenn, sound engineer for The Marshall Tucker Band. I knew that not only would Keith give my friends Chris Hicks and Rick Willis in Marshall Tucker my slides, but I also knew from my research that Marshall Tucker would be playing some shows during the summer of 2012 with a few of the guys on my list. And Keith was more than happy to help me out with my project, so I sent him some slides and labeled each of them with the various players I knew he would come in contact with over the summer. As a result of Keith's help, I was able to get slides to Clay Cook of the Zac Brown Band, and then Clay not only gave Zac Brown a Furious Slide, but he also passed on my slides to Derek Trucks and Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band.
Billy Crain (photo courtesy of Todd Gay)
I have to break into my little story for a second and say that one of my biggest supporters throughout all this has been Billy Crain from the Outlaws. Not only is Billy one of the best guitar players on the planet, but he is simply one of kindest souls I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. I don't think there has been a single interview he has given where he hasn't talked about my slides…he’s just a super nice guy, and he never has an unkind thing to say about anyone. He is what I call a true Southern Gentleman.
My connection with Billy actually started through Henry Paul, whom I'd also met on the same cruise where I had met Pat Travers. After the cruise I sent a slide to Henry as well as slides for him to pass on to Billy Crain and Chris Anderson, who were all on my list. I’ve been an Outlaws fan since their first album came out, and both Billy and Chris along with Henry Paul have carried on what I consider to be the true tradition of the Outlaws and the Florida Guitar Army. Billy and Chris are not only great guitar players, but they understand what that music is all about, and they know how it’s suppose to be played. But the coolest thing was, Billy and Chris flipped over their new slides, and immediately offered up any and all support. And through Billy Crain, not only was I able to connect with Bruce Brown of the Charlie Daniels Band and Charlie Daniels himself, but Billy also personally passed on my slides to the guys in 38 Special as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd.
My connection with Billy actually started through Henry Paul, whom I'd also met on the same cruise where I had met Pat Travers. After the cruise I sent a slide to Henry as well as slides for him to pass on to Billy Crain and Chris Anderson, who were all on my list. I’ve been an Outlaws fan since their first album came out, and both Billy and Chris along with Henry Paul have carried on what I consider to be the true tradition of the Outlaws and the Florida Guitar Army. Billy and Chris are not only great guitar players, but they understand what that music is all about, and they know how it’s suppose to be played. But the coolest thing was, Billy and Chris flipped over their new slides, and immediately offered up any and all support. And through Billy Crain, not only was I able to connect with Bruce Brown of the Charlie Daniels Band and Charlie Daniels himself, but Billy also personally passed on my slides to the guys in 38 Special as well as Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Don Jamieson
So after about 3 months of phone calls and emails, and getting out around 35 slides, there were only 2 people left on my list, Bonnie Raitt, and Billy Gibbons. First I turned to my long time friend and fellow bass player here in Tucson, Don Jamieson. Not only is he one of the best sound engineers around, working for Arizona Pro Sound, but he is in Wound 2 Tight, a great local Rock band. Don told me Arizona Pro Sound was providing the back line for the opening act for Bonnie Raitt's show here in Tucson, so I asked him if he would try to get a slide to Bonnie for me, and needless to say, Don made it happen, and Bonnie Raitt was now in possession of a Furious Slide.
Mark & Maria Zettelmeyer
Now that left me with only Billy Gibbons, and I really thought this was going to be a tough one. But then I found out that my friend Mark Zettelmeyer, owner of Soundwave Audio was doing the production for the ZZ Top show, I called him up and told him about my little quest/project, and he told me he would be more than happy to make sure Billy Gibbons got a Furious Slide...and Mark made it happen. I don’t know about you, but I’m seeing a trend here...Sound Engineers make it happen. Thank you Keith, Don and Mark!
Bottom line, I was able to cross off every single guitar player on my list. Which when you think about it, is a pretty amazing thing.
Bottom line, I was able to cross off every single guitar player on my list. Which when you think about it, is a pretty amazing thing.
It may be hard to understand, but after 32 years of making aerospace parts, it’s just really cool to be able to design and create something that some of your musical heroes really dig. There’s a pride in knowing that what I do in my day to day career can actually have some sort of positive impact on the way someone else approaches their art.
I have been truly blessed by all the great guitar players that have been willing to try my slide out and offer up their thoughts and endorsements, it has been my inspiration throughout the entire creative process.
I want to personally thank Pat Travers, Billy Crain, Chris Anderson, Keith Sewell, Robby Lochner, Rick Willis, Lance Keltner, Eric Heuschele, Jim West and Justin Weaver for not only endorsing my slide, but for all their help along the way while I developed my Furious Slides.
And that's how Furious Slides came to be. It was a lot of help from so many friends and fellow musicians, and the great thing about it all, at no time did I ever think it was an impossible task. I knew that I had a great idea, and I believed in it, so it just seemed right to chase after it and do everything in my power to develop my idea and share it with the world.
Charles
I have been truly blessed by all the great guitar players that have been willing to try my slide out and offer up their thoughts and endorsements, it has been my inspiration throughout the entire creative process.
I want to personally thank Pat Travers, Billy Crain, Chris Anderson, Keith Sewell, Robby Lochner, Rick Willis, Lance Keltner, Eric Heuschele, Jim West and Justin Weaver for not only endorsing my slide, but for all their help along the way while I developed my Furious Slides.
And that's how Furious Slides came to be. It was a lot of help from so many friends and fellow musicians, and the great thing about it all, at no time did I ever think it was an impossible task. I knew that I had a great idea, and I believed in it, so it just seemed right to chase after it and do everything in my power to develop my idea and share it with the world.
Charles
Jason Burns
I have to thank my friend Jason Burns for riding me hard about making this happen. He kept telling me for years that I should produce my slides and make it happen. After Jason passed, I knew I needed to do this, not just for me, but for him. I know he's up there smiling down, and I know in my heart that he's had a lot to do with so much of this just falling into place.
My entire journey is dedicated to my dear friend and brother Jason.
Thank you for all your guidance along the way.
I miss you every day, and I could never express in words what your friendship has meant to me.
My entire journey is dedicated to my dear friend and brother Jason.
Thank you for all your guidance along the way.
I miss you every day, and I could never express in words what your friendship has meant to me.
Paul Besing
Paul is not only a great guitar player, but he's also a great photographer, and he's a pilot!
Dang, he's like some sort of Super Hero!
Paul helped me get a slide to Joe Bonamassa.
Dang, he's like some sort of Super Hero!
Paul helped me get a slide to Joe Bonamassa.