Is Gay Community in Uproar Over Jan Davis Guitar?

It was assumed, after a recent news release headlined: "Wrong-Way Guitarist Crash Lands on Internet," that world-renowned guitarist Jan Davis was referred to as: "going the wrong-way."

One gay reader wrote, "With all the controversy over gay marriages, and other negative references, we certainly don't need any more setbacks."

Apparently, some members of the gay community ascertained, since the artist's name is Jan, and may be regarded as effeminate; the article was referring to his sexual orientation. Other comments indicated the term, "wrong-way" is being tagged onto the entire gay community.

It was decided an interview with Davis could possibly clear up any confusion regarding this issue.

Q. Jan, what do you have to say about the feedback from the "wrong-way" article?

A. Hey, in all my years in this business as a guitarist/singer, I've worked well with both straight and gay musicians. When the press release was published, I never dreamed anyone would be offended. Professional guitar teachers and scholars have been known to call me "Wrong-way Jan," but the term only has to do with the way I tune my guitar.

Q. What's so different about your tuning?

A. I can't explain here exactly how I tune, it's just the way I taught myself as a teenager, when I couldn't afford guitar lessons. Sometime later, I was advised by record executives that I shouldn't change my original tuning for one reason; because it's different and it makes my playing stand out. Today, I’d like to thank all the people who are downloading my music!

Q. Is it true that you recently performed on a video clip of a selection from one of your CD albums?

A. Yes. It's in the editing room right now and they say it was a good shoot. I'll just let the public figure out what I'm doing…my way or the "wrong-way."

Q. Any chance you might want to change your first name?

A. When my first manager decided I needed a name that was easy to remember, he selected "Jan." Now my friends, family and other musicians (gay and straight) like to call me "Janet" or "Janeen" and I just have to laugh it off, because it's all in fun!

Q. Why are you known as: “Jan Davis Guitar?

A. There are others who happen to have the same name and this is the best way for guitar fans to locate me. Also, because I play several different guitar styles, my music can be placed in a variety of guitar categories.

Q. Last question: Are you gay?

A. Some people may think so, but no. Nobody seems to know where the confusion started, but I'm sure when the article was released, it was not meant to be defamatory toward the gay community in any way.
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