Dear Sound Enamored, Today is my birthday. I like to say I'm old enough, but then I melt when I receive notes like this lovely one following the Guitar America 250 album concert in Oregon: Thank you, Aaron, for your uplifting performance. You re-energized me in hope for this nation. I’d been not at all sure that there was anything to celebrate at this Anniversary. Your existence, grace, joyful talent are proof that there’s a great deal to celebrate. – Fan Hearing such feedback after the...

Dear Lover of Music, The past eight days have been a whirlwind—four performances with guest artists, two university residencies, and three interviews—all centered on GUITAR AMERICA 250: Revolutionaries & Rockstars. The response has been electric. In recent talks with students at Salem State University and Longy School of Music of Bard College, I was reminded: being an artist is not small work; it's massive. It’s a responsibility—to reflect, provoke, nurture, celebrate, and give shape to...

Dear Reader, Guitar America 250 • Revolutionaries and Rockstars is off and running! I’ve received positive reviews, held a few interviews, as well as some wonderful notes of appreciation and few comments citing how difficult it is at this time to celebrate the anniversary with what is happening in the United States. I didn't set out to make a political statement with this album, at least not anymore than any past album: music is important, composers are important, teaching music is important,...