Why I have been absent for so long- HARRIS BECKER

On December 2nd 2012, The GFA held a Regional Guitar Symposium here in New York and as part of the Festivities, Attendees were given the opportunity to audition for a spot on the evening concert. I am a professional Free lance Guitarist who has been on the New York City Concert scene since the early 60s being a member of the original New York City Classical Guitar Society. I played several concerts produced by the Society and other concert series including the series in the 80/s sponsored by the American Institute of the Guitar. My playing now is even more sharp than in my 20's as I have studied with the best in my craft. For the audition I performed a medley of works by LUIZ BONFA whom I studied with in the early 70's when he visited New York at Mannys Music on 48th Street. I have been playing these Bonfa pieces for over 40 years now and needless to say I can play these even if I were not alive!!! THAT IS HOW SOLID THEY ARE!!! On top of this, I perform at least 5 days a week in public venues around the city as part of MUSIC UNDER NEW YORK. This is my 18th year as part of the organization. I have been performing in public since 1955 as a concert pianist. I am my toughest critic and my audition for this concert spot was flawless. The other " judge" was Gerry Saulter. A couple of years ago I was involved with an exceptional Guitarist in trying to get my colleague a couple of concerts here in New York and HARRIS BECKER promised another concert for my colleague as my friend "Floored everyone" with an exceptional performance. That "Promise" was never followed up on. In fact Mr. Becker ignored several phone calls and emails from my friend so I asked Becker myself for him to be respectful of my colleagues' requests for an answer. I believe that my exclusion from the GFA REGIONAL Evening concert was a form of "PAYBACK" for trying to request HARRIS BECKER to do the right thing. Somehow the other judge GERRY SAULTER was persuaded to knock me out of the concert by Becker. When  Martha Masters read the "Final List" of those selected, I was sure my name would be read last and when it was not, I immediately retreated to the men's room and vomited for several minutes. I was so destroyed that I could not attend the rest of the regional. I have spent my life supporting the Guitar Scene here in New York by  attending concerts and lectures and master classes by my colleagues even when I had gigs I came from. I felt as though HARRIS BECKER reached into my chest and and pulled my heart out and stomped on it!!!!! I have not been the same since that December 2nd 2012 incident. I even read an article praising Mr. Becker on the excellence of his Long Island Guitar Festival and how wonderful he is. I have been to several of the Long Island Festivals and have even spoken with praise to his face. That is not in question here. He is a concert artist himself so is aware of all the things that are related  to a concert tour and must know that arrangements have to be made with all sorts of details to insure a successful concert tour. Anyway I thought long and hard about talking about this on this International pulpit but those of you who know me know that I deal with the truth. I still suffer immensely from this incident. It is the reason why I have drastically curtailed my attendance at my usual friends concerts. I have not felt like blogging at all even when I did promise some friends coverage of their concerts. I have spent my whole life here on the Classical/Jazz Guitar scene and FOLK scene in Greenwich Village.I have even held up my renewal to GFA as a form of protest. I am friends with so many great artists around the world that this post may make them a little surprised that I had to expose this incident in this way. HARRIS BECKER and GERRY SAULTER are guilty of injuring one of the great lovers of our craft here on planet earth - ME DON WITTER JR. - and I at 63 soon to be 64 will not let this be ignored. You two have hurt me deeply with your actions on December 2nd 2012. I have suffered long bouts of depression because of you two. I earned that spot and my playing at the audition was flawless. LUIZ BONFA HIMSELF told me in the 70's when I played his compositions for him.I am a part of the fabric of New York City as I introduce people to the world of the Classical and Jazz Solo Guitar at least 5 days a week. That is how much I love this craft . You can't ignore my presence here. I am on the scene for the duration of my life and thanks to my posting this, I can begin to recover from my deep,deep hurt. I hope I can find it in my heart to forgive especially you HARRIS BECKER for the pain you have caused me over these almost two years.