Since I was 15, my relationship with the guitar has been a unique one. I wasn't the guy that new and performed all of the intro riffs to popular songs at parties. Nor was I the heart-melting serenader with the golden voice. I didn't play in the local rock bands, and I found little accomplishment in learning the musical catalog of another musician. I just loved the guitar. To me, the guitar has always been a selfish means of expression. I've always used it to channel what I wanted to hear. If I liked something on the radio, I'd take what I could from it and move on. Needless to say, I floated around from genre to genre and noodled with little progress for years. I even gave it up for awhile while in college. At around 21, my first of two musical epiphanies hit me: I saw the movie Crossroads. Through this movie I learned of Ry Cooder and slide guitar. That was the first time I tuned to Open D and put on a slide. I didn't know people played guitar like this. I dedicated myself to slide guitar for the next 3 years and studied everyone I could find. This eventually led me to Eric Sardinas, Monte Montgomery, and Chris Whitley. Here were three guys that were breaking all the rules and doing their own thing. I wanted that but knew I could never perform like they do. Their performance is what makes them great. I was writing blues and folk instrumentals, but no songs. I fell into a deep rut and was really discouraged for some time. Then I heard acoustic guitarists such as Leo Kottke, Tommy Emmanuel, Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Erik Mongrain, Antoine DuFour, etc. All musicians who said everything with an acoustic guitar. Thats it. I realized that you could be yourself and say a lot on the guitar without actually singing a word. This flipped everything I had thought I knew about playing guitar and set me in a new direction. So with new inspiration, I continue on my musical path of self discovery with the realization that it may not lead me anywhere but at least I'll enjoy myself. The music on this page are my own compositions and I hope you like them.
I have yet to play live but plan to start busking soon.
Erik Mongrain, Michael Hedges, Preston Reed, Eric Sardinas, Chris Whitley (RIP), Travis Meeks, Steve Earle, Neil Young, Chris Cornell, Derek Trucks, Johnny Young, Steve James, Eddie Vedder
I use Godin guitars almost exclusively now: a Seagull Entourage Mini Jumbo and an A&L Cedar.
Alvarez FD60 Fusion
Beard Goldtone Standard Mahogany
Genz Benz Shen Jr. Amp
Dean DA30 amp
Homemade boutique 5 watt Champ clone
Fred Kelly Bumblebee picks (THE BEST)
Diamond Bottlenecks
I just wanted to holler at all of my friends on the bigroadblues forum. You guys are great.
