For 16 years he was the Director of Programming for the National Music Foundation, where he developed and ran the American Music Education Initiative and the Berkshire Music Festival. As a contributing editor for the National Guitar Workshop, he wrote about musical subjects ranging from the Grammy Awards to Tuvan throat-singing. For WorkshopLive, NGW’s online learning platform, he interviewed guitar, bass and piano teachers about their views on practicing, performing and playing. He has created content for online courses in guitar instruction, folk music, bluegrass and country music, and advised the Boy Scouts of America on the requirements for the Music Merit Badge. Tom has also taught guitar, performed in the rockabilly band Real Gone, arranged the music of George Gershwin and Duke Ellington for solo acoustic guitar and written dozens of songs. First, Learn to Practice is a book about how to practice a musical instrument – any musical instrument. It’s suitable for all musicians – professional, amateur, student or beginner. Whether you play in a concert hall or your own basement, First, Learn to Practice can show you how to get the most pleasure, and the most progress, out of your practice time."Certainly part of the problem in learning how to play an instrument is the way an individual approaches practicing. One must be committed to spending lots of time on eye, ear, and hand coordination; learning how to listen; learning how to sight-read; and, having fun during those many hours of conquering notes on and off the page. But, how many “students” really know how to practice in the first place? The answers can be found in Tom Heany’s new book First, Learn to Practice.It is structured in a way that the novice musician who is serious about learning to play can make substantial progress and enjoy the art of practicing while engaged in making music. This very basic text is a must have for all music makers who want to build their mental and physical attitudes toward great practice sessions." ~ Dr. Willie Hill, Director of the Fine Arts Center, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst."Tom Heany has developed an approach to mastering a musical instrument that is both simple and effective. First Learn to Practice is a must for anyone who is serious about learning to play." ~ David Smolover, Founder of National Guitar Workshop and WorkshopLive

    From hauntings to bad boys to matchmaking dogs, SPICY CHRISTMAS KISSES delivers the joy and warmth of the season. But be careful–some of these ELEVEN romances are HOT HOT HOT! This collection of spicy holiday stories is on sale for a limited time only. So grab your copy today! Christmas Flirt - Rachelle Ayala Naughty girl Lacy Reed gets more than she bargained for when her naked selfies turn up on her boss’s phone. What will it take for her Christmas wish to come true? Cole For Christmas - Kelly Collins When Interior Designer Chloe Craig thought of Christmas, her mind overflowed with trees trimmed in twinkling lights and doorways adorned with mistletoe. Using her infectious joy, she attempted to soften the heart of her new employer, but was it possible to turn a Scrooge into Kris Kringle? Not-So-Blue Christmas - Bonnie Edwards Kirk Fontaine has lived in the dark for months, unable to bear living or even talking to people, until one small mutt forces him to see the sun. Miranda Bailey’s hoping for one more Christmas miracle, but can’t believe a grouch like Kirk could be it. Naughty and Nice (A Rough and Tumble Novella) - Crystal Green Reclusive, gruff army veteran Jesse Navarro could deal with a Secret Santa who only wrote to him online. But when she shows up at the Rough & Tumble Saloon in the flesh, she has something even naughtier than a regular gift exchange in mind—and it's perfectly suited for some wicked nights in Sin City... Tangled in Tinsel - Stacy Eaton Casey Lowe is new in town and her next-door neighbor Thad Wagner is the kind of guy you want to have around, especially when something breaks. Thad is easy on the eyes and great with his hands, but will he be able to mend her broken heart? Haunted - Jade Kerrion Holly Langford has given up on love but the Christmas season unexpectedly ignites her bleak and solitary life with three men who represent her past, her present, and her future. Which man offers the gift of true love and happily ever after? The King and the Pawn - Lyssa Layne Frankie has concocted the perfect plan to get her father to release her trust fund early—a fake boyfriend he'll hate. The only problem is, the more time Frankie spends with her fake boyfriend, the harder it will be to let him go. Christmas Choices- Sharon Coady Kellen Slade is a bad boy builder who rides a Harley almost as hot as he is. Rhian St. Clair is a rich girl who wants out of Savanah and out from under her father’s rules to follow her passion as a painter. 8 Hounds a-Howling - Marcia James Celebrity photographer "Jax" Jackson volunteers to shoot the Klein's K-9s' dog-themed "12 Days of Christmas" fundraising calendar. His hidden agenda: Convince past love and calendar coordinator Amy Walters to give him a second chance. Tinsel, Tidings, and Temptations - Kimmie Easley After a nasty divorce and a life of isolation, Naomi Compton rents a luxury cabin in the woods for her first Christmas alone. The property just so happens to come with its own hunky groundskeeper, Henner Willliams, who’s more than happy to show Naomi what she's been missing out on all these years. Loving Lucy - Chantel Rhondeau Issued a challenge at the company Christmas party, reserved accountant Blake Carmichael determines to catch Lucy Brier’s interest, a woman he’s lusted after for years.

    These kitchen-tested recipes are delicious and easy to make. There are recipes for Christmas cookies, cakes, pies, breads and desserts. There are also recipes for traditional Christmas drinks. Included are classic, family Christmas dessert recipes like Christmas Sugar Cookies, Rum Balls, Holiday Thumbprint Cookies, Poinsettia Cookies, Amaretti ai Pignoli, Polish Kolaczki, Christmas Bread Pudding, Christmas Rum Cake, Gingerbread Cake, Homemade Pumpkin Pie and more. You'll also find more contemporary Christmas dessert recipes like Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti, Lemon Sugar Cookies, Eggnog Cookies, Fruitcake Cookies, Brandy Eggnog Cake, Annie's Apple Crisp, Eggnog Cheesecake, Pecan Squares and more.There are also recipes for homemade Christmas drink favorites like Hot Mulled Wine, Hot Spiced Cider, Hot Caramel Vanilla, Italian Hot Chocolate and Traditional Hot Buttered Rum.Whether you're looking for a traditional or contemporary holiday dessert recipe to share at your Christmas table this year, Best Ever Christmas Dessert Recipes has a recipe for you.

    Instead she finds herself smack in the middle of a centuries old feud that someone wants to settle once and for all....and they will stop at nothing to reclaim what they feel is rightfully theirs. When Shannon discovers an old diary she is suddenly pulled into all the mystery and legend of the Black Hills.As she deals with a mother who talks to ghosts, a grumpy old geezer who is up to no good, and a handsome colleague with revenge on his mind, Shannon tries desperately to help her friend hold onto her home, her dreams and the land that she loves. An extra bonus to this book includes yummy Christmas Recipes from the Mid West!

    

    The best-selling banjo method in the world! Earl Scruggs's legendary method has helped thousands of banjo players get their start. The Revised and Enhanced Edition features more songs, updated lessons, and many other improvements. It includes everything you need to know to start playing banjo, including: a history of the 5-string banjo, getting acquainted with the banjo, Scruggs tuners, how to read music, chords, how to read tablature, right-hand rolls and left-hand techniques, banjo tunings, exercises in picking, over 40 songs, how to build a banjo, autobiographical notes, and much more! The book/audio version includes recordings of Earl Scruggs playing and explaining over 60 examples! Audio is accessed online using the unique code inside the book and can be streamed or downloaded. The audio files include PLAYBACK+, a multi-functional audio player that allows you to slow down audio without changing pitch, set loop points, change keys, and pan left or right.

    The rodeo is a tough life and this cowboy is ready to settle back home, buy the old family ranch, and live quietly without the wildness of his past. All he has to do is win the Pride River Christmas Rodeo, but to do that he’s got to stay out of trouble. Trouble he very nearly finds by getting into yet another bar fight, stopped just in time by Belle Manning, his childhood friend. She always kept him out of hot water when he was a kid, with her calm support and friendly smile, and though it’s been years since he’s seen her, Axel’s never forgotten the first girl he kissed. And never forgotten how her daddy warned him to stay away from her. Troublemakers like him just aren’t good enough for someone like her…
Belle never forgot the sexy cowboy who stole her heart when they were kids. So when he approaches her with a proposition, she’s ready to listen. Axel wants her by his side so she can keep him out of trouble until the Christmas rodeo. In exchange, he’ll give her a plot of land so she can build her occupational therapy clinic. It’s a stunning proposal and one Belle can’t refuse. Her dream of using horses to help people heal is finally coming true. And, bonus, running around town with Axel will keep her matchmaking mother off her back. She’ll think about a relationship after her practice is up and running. Once Axel wins the rodeo, they can go on their merry ways. But it doesn’t take long before their fake relationship takes an unexpected turn toward real, throwing Belle off kilter. Is it possible Axel could turn into the Christmas present she didn’t know she wanted all along?Mary Sue Jackson and USA Today Bestseller Leslie North invite you to indulge in a heart-warming small-town western romance with a smoking hot cowboy and the woman who tames him...

    Whether this is your first trip to Chancey, or you're an old friend - Welcome! This is one meeting you don't want to miss. Christmas is just around the corner and there's a crisis so a meeting has been called. And you never want to miss a meeting in a small town because you just might end up in charge of the Christmas Parade. Memories surface, tempers flare, and new suggestions get shot down because it's never been done that way before. This novella is a perfect way to sip a cup of hot cocoa and take a quick trip to a small Southern town for the holidays.

    The revised edition is updated with a greater focus on digital recording techniques, the most powerful tools available to the home recordist. There are chapters devoted to instrument recording, humanizing drum patterns, mixing with plug-ins and virtual consoles, and a new section on using digital audio skills. And since, many true "Guerrillas" still record to analog tape, we have retained the best of that world. This edition features many more graphics than in the original edition, further enforcing Guerrilla Home Recording's reputation as the most readable, user-frienly recording title on the market.

    It was a fertile era for new genres, from alt-rock to Afropop, hip hop to techno. Rock critic Robert Christgau's obsessive ear and authoritative pen have covered it all-over 3,800 albums graded and classified, from A+s to his celebrated turkeys and duds. A rich appendix section ensures that nothing's been left out-from "subjects for further research" to "everything rocks but nothing ever dies." Christgau's Consumer Guide is essential reading and reference for any dedicated listener.

    Perfect for fans of Friends, The Wedding Date, Ali McNamara and Sue Moorcroft.Welcome to Mistletoe Island, where dreams can come true...The snow is falling and Fliss's friends have arrived to celebrate her wedding for a week at Holly Cottage. It's the perfect way to kick off her brand-new life, isn't it?Except Ruth wishes she was anywhere other than a remote Scottish island, Caitlin is keeping a secret from her friends, Lara is suddenly facing her ex a decade after turning down his proposal and even the bride has something to hide...But as the friends prepare for a week to remember, will Fliss's dream wedding go off without a hitch, or will the secrets they've been hiding change everything?

    This collection contains no material that has not been previously released.

    Bass MethodThe critically acclaimed Hal Leonard Electric Bass Method Second Edition in a handy composite edition Contains 3 books and 3 CDs for Levels 1, 2 and 3.

    Her business has been steadily dwindling. Her relationship prospects, too. But, her sister, Anna, has an idea that just might change Mary’s luck. Unfortunately, their own sisterhood might be working against them. Worst of all, it’s all coming to a head during the holidays, making Mary feel lonelier than ever.Meanwhile, Kurt Cutler is living the high life in the tech world. Fresh on the heels of wild success in the uncharted world of cryptocurrency, he looks for a way to ensure his young company doesn’t lose its grip. When his right-hand woman suggests a get-away at her sister’s snowy mountain retreat, he jumps on the opportunity to unplug and unwind.If Mary’s sister, Anna, can back off, Mary has every chance of enjoying the magic of the holidays. But when Mary and Kurt have to choose between love and their own priorities, what will win?Find out if a wintry weekend can become more for people from two opposite worlds in Elizabeth Bromke’s cozy romance, Christmas on Maplewood Mountain.

    Medallion Honoree * From the Midwest Book Review: "The Pajama Elves" is a delightful, creatively presented holiday tale that shares a family tradition of giving children magic pajamas secretly tailored by Santa's sewing elves, so they can sleep snug in their beds on Christmas Eve. Hayden Edwards is a special pseudonym for author/illustrator Julie Szabo, combining the names of her two sons and husband. Told in verse narrative and creatively illustrated with combination photos/prints in color, "The Pajama Elves" is all about keeping the magic of Christmas alive for young children. The author describes it as follows: "'The Pajama Elves' allows people to adopt and personalize the tradition in many ways, and it can be shared with family members who live far apart from one another." Sensitively done, "The Pajama Elves" is an ideal contemporary response to unique challenges faced by parents of young children today.