On January 16th, a 13 foot steel, glass, and bronze replica of a PRS SANTANA signature guitar was unveiled in front of House of Blues Las Vegas in Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in honor of The House of Blues first resident Carlos Santana. The statue was created by premiere American artist and innovator Dale Evers. This immense sculpture is entitled “Wings of Legend.” It represents the tens of millions guitars that have become an intrinsic part of American pop-culture and pays homage to the artistry of Santana and his relationship with PRS guitars.

Carlos Santana and Paul Reed Smith

“The sculpture truly embodies the magnificence that is Carlos Santana,” says Artist Dale Evers. “It is an understatement to say I am honored and greatly appreciative for this grand moment in my life.” Evers’ unmistakable signature is characterized by a masterful fusing of glass, bronze and steel into creative realities. His numerous commissions have lead to permanent installations throughout the US and Mexico.

House of Blues Las Vegas General Manager Andrew Economon said, “House of Blues has been a wonderful home for music fans and performers ever since the first House of Blues opened 20 years ago, and a major part of the entertainment landscape in Las Vegas for the past 13 years. Our Vegas House of Blues in particular, has always been a favorite venue for locals and a big part of what we do here is about community and serving our community. That’s something we look forward to doing for another 20 years.”

For more than forty years and as many albums later, Carlos Santana has sold more than 90 million records and reached more than 100 million fans at concerts worldwide. To date, Santana has won ten Grammy® Awards, including a record-tying nine for a single project, 1999′s Supernatural (including Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Smooth”). In 1998, the group was ushered into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, whose web page on their induction notes, “Guitarist Carlos Santana is one of rock’s true virtuosos and guiding lights.”

Carlos Santa Print

Are you a Carlos Santana fan?

Be sure to check out Creative Bone Artworks,: “Art That Rocks” Collection – specifically the Carlos Santana print from artist Tom Noll!

Tom’s “Art That Rocks” print collection includes Limited Edition prints from original oil paintings of many famous Blues and Rock guitarists and bands – available for immediate purchase!

Limited Edition prints are still available of this amazing Carlos Santana artwork! Contact Tom Noll directly to inquire about ALL art prints for sale. Place your order now for immediate shipment!

Shape Shifter is Carlos Santana’s 36th album, and the first for his new label, Starfaith Records.

Set for release May 15, the 13-song set is an instrumental tour de force featuring tracks spanning from the late 1990′s to the present. It’s powered throughout by Carlos’ instantly recognizable virtuoso lead guitar and the Santana Band’s world-class musicianship. Only one song features vocals from Santana’s lead vocalists Andy Vargas and Tony Lindsay, all other tracks are instrumental only.

Carlos dedicated the album to Native American Indians, acknowledging Australia’s 2008 apology to the Aborigines, and President Obama’s signing of the 2009 Native American Apology Resolution. He says, “I encourage any and all countries (that have not as yet done so) to acknowledge the first people of their land, and make this a collective global effort.”

Shape Shifter comprises mostly original compositions that Carlos has been stashing away for such an instrumental project—long awaited by fans—and he conceived the album’s sequence as thoughtfully as its track selection. The songs flow together as the magical sustain of Carlos’ guitar—and the spirit behind every note—makes music that breaks through all cultural and language barriers, the music of Santana.

Carlos Santa Print

Want more Carlos Santana? Hang him on your wall!

Be sure to check out Creative Bone Artworks,: “Art That Rocks” Collection – specifically the Carlos Santana print from artist Tom Noll!

Tom’s “Art That Rocks” print collection includes Limited Edition prints from original oil paintings of many famous Blues and Rock guitarists and bands – available for immediate purchase!

Limited Edition prints are still available of this amazing Carlos Santana artwork! Contact Tom Noll directly to inquire about ALL art prints for sale. Place your order now for immediate shipment!

It was Saturday, August 16th, 1969.

Carlos Santana was called to the stage earlier than he was thought he was scheduled to play.

He later admitted that he was high on LSD at the time and feared he would not get through the set. He prayed to God that he would never do LSD again if he could just make it through the last song..

Well, he did not “just make it through”… Watch for yourself as Santana performs this amazing, near-perfect and legendary performance of Soul Sacrifice.

Carlos Santana was born on July 20, 1947.

He is a Grammy Award-winning rock musician and a superb guitarist. Santana became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band, Santana, which pioneered a blend of rock, salsa and jazz fusion. The band’s sound featured his melodic, blues-based guitar set against Latin percussion.

Carlos experienced a tremendous resurgence of popularity and acclaim in the last 10 years. Rolling Stone magazine named Santana #15 on their list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time in 2003.

Happy Birthday Carlos!

The Chop Shop is the first radio show dedicated totally…100%…to the guitar. The Chop Shop also publishes a great web site, and a guitarist “Hall of Fame” with beautiful high-resolution renditions of legendary guitar players that you can download for free.

I downloaded all of them and rotate them as background images on my computer. Just call me a six-string geek!

The Chop Shop show invites listeners to hear the songs they know and love from different perspectives, while occasionally introducing them to some gems they may have missed.

This weeks show will feature Metallica, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Whitesnake and many other bands and single artists. Check out the web site more more information…including an affiliate schedule of where and when you can tune in to listen.

While you are on the web site, be sure to check out the “Hall of Fame” and download your favorite guitarist images. Clapton, SRV, Gilmore, May, Van Halen, Vai, Beck, Page, Hendrix, Slash, Blackmore, Satriani, Dimebag, Perry, Zappa and Townsend…they are all there. Best of all…it’s totally cool and totally free!