EGOmaniac: Randall Ferguson

	Name:	Randall Ferguson
	Location:	Minnesota, USA
	URL:	N/A
	Clip:	N/A

Biography:

Trying to sum up this Minnesota gem in a couple of paragraphs is like trying to condense the English dictionary to fit on a stone tablet!

Randall Ferguson is the devoted middle school music teacher mentioned in Andrew Kippley’s EGOmaniacs story. From the moment Andrew entered “Mr. F’s” music class in the fall of 2007, a very unique and special bond formed between the pair. The two became fast friends, sharing a passion for music, guitars, and a certain zest for life in general, complete with two very similar senses of humour.

Without hesitation, Andrew’s teacher, mentor and friend, has displayed his friendship and dedication to Andrew and the Kippley family time and time again, doing anything in his power to aide in Andrew’s fight to conquer Childhood Neuroblastoma cancer. Randy’s assistance in organizing and performing at several celebrations, fundraisers, and benefit concerts for Andrew have gone a long way to ease some of the difficult times that have come with the disease. Randy also made it his mission to help keep Andrew’s spirits sky-high by scoring heart-felt donations for the music loving teenager, including autographs and personal letters from famous guitarists such as Christopher Parkening, Andy Summers, (of the Police), and B.B. King. Andrew also received a surprise package from the good people at Musician’s Friend, which contained a brand new Fender Stratocaster and a huge MF corporate banner with every employee’s signature and well wishes written all over it. How’s THAT for corporate generosity!

Not surprising to those who know him, Randy’s dedication and devotion to those around him definitely doesn’t end there. In the classroom, “Mr. F” goes above and beyond to try to give his students a music education that is historical and interesting, as well as current and exciting. It’s not uncommon to see “Mr F.” playing one of his renaissance lutes or antique guitars for his students. His classroom walls are adorned with posters depicting ‘classic-rock greats’ like Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, and AC/DC as well as classical and jazz guitarists like Andres Segovia, Joe Pass, and Wes Montgomery. Randy’s impressive musical education, background and talent, mixed with his wacky and sarcastic sense of humour seems to be the perfect recipe for instilling a love of music in each and every one of his students.

As a highly-educated and extensively trained classical and flamenco guitarist, Randy’s music doesn’t stop outside of his 8th grade classroom. In addition to teaching, he also presents many concert performances, formal recitals and lecture/demonstrations all over Minnesota and surrounding areas.

Armed with an insanely impressive personal collection of period string instruments, Randy’s popular lecture/demonstrations and formal recitals illustrate over 500 years of guitar music to his audiences. His extensive collection includes fully-functioning instruments from 1785, 1830, and 1860 to modern concert classical and flamenco guitars. Some of his other instruments include period banjos dating from 1870-1898, Mandolins from 1895 and 1897, a 1896 Mandolinetto, and a reproduction Renaissance Lute and Vihuela, (Renaissance Guitar).

A few years ago, Randy and his collection caught the interest of Acoustic Guitar Magazine. With a severe and incurable case of G.A.S. (Guitar Acquisition Syndrome), he was featured in the October 2006 issue.

At first, a valued customer, and now a treasured personal friend of EGOpicks, we are proud to have Randall Ferguson as a part of the EGOmaniacs family.