Art Thieme is the guy who lives next door to us here in Chernoble. He died several years ago after undergoing an excruciating year and three quarters of radiation sickness that was worse than anyone in our entire city. I figured I'd use his name as it wasn't being used any more. He was with theCIA as it turns out. (Most Americans here were.) When he had lived in the USA he became somewhat famous in Memphis, Tennessee as Elvis Presley. But now he's really dead. As far as I know, though, he never ever touched a guitar or banjo or jews harp or musical saw or dulcimer or anything---just a balalaika which everybody picks around here. They are definitely "unplugged" around here, but we are still amplified electrically--not by choice however. Just living here now has resulted in a degree of natural electricity and amplification that gives our instruments unique properties that are found nowhere else on the planet. My own Martin B-28 (3-piece back and rosewood sides with multi roentgen bracing) is, on occasion, brighter than a 175 watt bulb. Some here use their instruments (still after all this time) to get a nice tan.

Love to all,

Art Thieme