Kelly Garni Bass with Randys Fingernail

krgarni · Post by **krgarni** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 4:21 am

By the way, I had swine flu. Real fun.

RRfish · Post by **RRfish** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:10 am

Kelly sorry to hear that you had that horrible flu ! Not fun at all I would expect, but I am glad to see you are on the mend. I am curious, have you ever considered selling the 8 string to produce Randy's Documentary if it is not completed as scheduled, and you take over ? Thanks for taking your time to answer questions, and stay well ! Cheers !

RRfish · Post by **RRfish** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 7:22 am

Kelly, I am sorry for being so inquisitive, but can't help myself. How did you come to choose Perry Ormsby to create your baby! With all of the guitar aficionado's here in the U.S. ,and in the UK, what drew you to Ormsby Guitars? Thanks again Kelly !

krgarni · Post by **krgarni** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:06 am

Well, I read about on him on TK. Someone was talking about his PDV's. So I went to his site and was very impressed. I was looking around for someone to build me an 8 string. I have a Dean 8, but don't like it that much. I used to have a Rickinbacker 8 that I just loved, but a guy hits hard times and it was sold many years ago, thinking that I would never play again. Now that I do, I wanted a 8 again. I called Rickenbacker and begged them, but they wouldn't do it for any price. So I started calling companies. None of them were too keen on the idea, till I ran across Perry. Besides, nobody wanted to do it for free. (My favorite word). I looked at Perry's work even closer and it was very obvious that he was an artist clear to his soul. as well, and had strong feelings for Randy. I wanted to use the finger nail, but I didn't want to take advantage of someone who was a Randy fan. I wanted to have someone do it because they wanted to. And he was very anxious to really tax his artistry. It turned out to be a perfect marriage. He WANTED to do it. And he wanted to put his whole soul into it. Such an instrument is one of a kind and really the only one I know of like it. Steve Vai had his blood put into the paint on one of his guitars and this was the same sort of situation. An instrument that had an actual soul. Something that had the most important aspect of who you are. As soon as I talked to him, I knew he was the one. And could and would do a job that no other guitar maker could match. He came through. This thing is unbelieveable to see with your own eyes. And sounds incredible, even without an amp. Most of the ideas were his. I told him I wanted to cut the nail into slivers and have them as part of the inlay. But he just kept coming up with better ideas than I had. The nail suspended in acylic was ingenious. Now it's there for all to see, and to remind me to play the very best I can. I'm NEVER NEVER NEVER allowed to have a bad nite on that bass. It gives me a feeling of being on stage with Randy again too. A part of him is with me. As you saw in the video interview it also has some special things inside, words that mean things to me. Music in the form of microfish. The fretboard was his idea. He asked me to come up with something in the form of a song that meant something to me and Randy. I thought hard on this, as there were so many things I could've have used. I remembered the day he taught me the bass line to "Hey Joe". I had been playing about 3 weeks. One day he came home from his lesson and said I'm going to teach you a song. Up till then I had only played root notes, just one note, maybe two, and he would play over them with his newly aquired leads he was learning at the time. He showed me the bass line and I said "I can't do that!" He said, yes you can. After a frustrating couple of hours, I gave up and ran home crying. WHAH!!!!! I suck! The next day, he patiently started to teach me again. That was his way. He acted liked I didn't run home the day before with snot and tears all over my face. I said okay, we'll work on it. After an hour I had it. I nailed it! It was then I realized I really could be a bass player. The fretboard is testiment to his teaching style, a teacher who never gave up on his student, a teacher who knew it was more important for you to realize you COULD do it, rather than the fact you learned the song. That was the lesson. After that song, my attitude changed. And everything came easier. I miss him so much. I miss Kevin too. I wish they were here to help me deal with the assholes I have to deal with now. But I am last man standing. And I will not let them or myself down. A issue or two from now, Guitar World is doing a big spread on the bass and my current up too's. The article will put Ormsby on the map which he deserves so much. Perry is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met. And he and his friends he had with him were great fun and we had a blast. We also have on film me meeting him at the airport (going out of my head). We did not open the case until we got to my home. And my reaction will be obvious. Perry is my HERO!!!!!!!

cableguyxx · Post by **cableguyxx** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:18 am

Perry is truly an awesome guy and awesome artist.

Tito · Post by **Tito** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:37 am

kelly that is so personal and special dude!!!!wow!!!!!thanks for sharing that man!!!!!

RRfish · Post by **RRfish** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:01 am

Kelly, thanks so much for your courteous response. This is so fasinating !
What an undertaking this must have been for Perry! I am glad to hear that he will be receiving proper recognition for the magnificent work he produced. With your love of Randy, and Perry's artistic intuition, how could you go wrong !

May you have many many fond years playing this fine piece.
You said last man standing, do you not hear from Drew ever?

Just wondering! I wonder what he thinks of this ?

Well thanks again Kelly, it's always so nice of you to take your time to answer curious questions.

Cheers!

krgarni · Post by **krgarni** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:39 am

I don't ever see Drew getting back into this. I, do so with a certain amount of reluctance, but feel very driven regardless. Drew's comfortable. If I had that I sure wouldn't screw it up. Things for me changed after Kevin died. It was too drastic of a loss for me not to react in a drastic way. So! Here I am!

RRfish · Post by **RRfish** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 2:50 am

Such a big loss, that is for you

But I must say, I , as well as many others here, are very happy that you continue to contribute your insights, and all that is new and exciting in your life. You're a good guy Kelly Garni !

Thanks so much! Take Care!

Cpt Matt Sparrow · Post by **Cpt Matt Sparrow** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 7:31 am

Hi Kelly

As a guitar teacher that really made impressed upon me how a pupil sees a teacher, who is patient and well considered. I think it fare to say i am quite inspired by Randy again.

Thankyou

Matt

rhoads56 · Post by **rhoads56** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:32 am

Wow, thanks Kelly!

I loved building the bass! It was easy because i could draw inspiration not only from my admiration of Randy's work, but also from your love for him as a person. The two different aspects of his life: the performer, and the person, gave me everything I need to come up with something "blue, and eight strings".

The build process was filmed on HD 1080 video, so I hope that comes out one day for everyone to see.

RRfish · Post by **RRfish** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:07 am

rhoads56, how very talented you are indeed ! Can't wait to see the film, and pics ! Thanks for doing this, both for Kelly and for Randy !

Cheers !

krgarni · Post by **krgarni** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:22 am

Yeah, but you went even beyond that. An artrist should always put all of themselves into their emdeavor. I'll never forget the email you sent me, about how you watched a bunch old videos and how a bass hung on my small frame. 5'ft 9" at 110 pounds. That's now. You actually reshearched it that far. Amazing! What guitar maker would go to all that? There is NO ONE like Perry Ormsby. That's art.

Paiste2002 · Post by **Paiste2002** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:49 pm

Kelly hit the nail on the head in regards to Drew. Drew just doesn't want to deal with what Kelly has been dealing with. He is a very low key person and he travels alot with his sound gig. I could see maybe and I stress the term maybe getting him to do an interview here for UR. I could ask him that.

Fish you also have to remember there was some bitterness after Drew was out of QR. Drew had to deal with watching Randy and Rudy and Kevin go onto national success while he and Craig Turner slugged it out in clubs and even though they were stellar musicians it just never happened. Not saying that Drew doesn't have fond memories of Quiet Riot he does and as I said the stories he told me over the years are just insane. There was a massive rift between Kevin and Drew and it was never mended. Also as in the trailer Drew in my opinion felt like he gave up alot to be in QR and then suddenly Randy leaves without really a formal goodbye and that was bad. So I think he has mixed emotions on it really. But he is a great drummer and patient teach and all around great guy.