John Baron
Ultramegaclevercoolandgroovy!
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I first picked up the guitar in 1990 when I quit drinking. My girlfriend's son had a cheap classical accoustic that I kept by the couch and fiddled with while watching TV. A good friend taught me the open E boogie and I did that for 3 or 4 years before someone loaned me an electric guitar. I liked it! I bought one! I was lucky enough to be close to an old Ace musician who taught me a lot of valuable stuff about being a performer. I learned to sing and also play a little harp, bass, drums and very little keyboard. I first started writting and recording original material in 1994. I've also produced and recorded a couple demo albums with local bands and am currently involved with several local band projects.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Occasionally. Only when asked. And compensated.
Your musical influences
I started with the Beatles and Beach Boys, the Garage Bands, British Invasion, The Who, Ray Charles, Motown. My Dad was a Counry Music fan who also played a lot of early Rock-n-Roll like Little Richard, Jerry Lee, the Kingsmen...my Mom loved Elvis so I heard a lot of that too. Then I got hip to Hendrix, Zeppelin, Yardbirds, Neil Young, Bowie etc...then I discovered the Blues! I was just getting into Iggy Pop, the Velvet Underground, newer Punk when Grunge came on. That was cool and I think it showed again that music can still be by and for the little people. Then I started playing and singing.
What equipment do you use?
G & L Legacy Stat, G & L SB-2 Bass, Crate 40w 3 x 10 tube combo, Dean Markley DM 40, Roland vs 1680 & 880, Ludwig drums, Zildjian and Wuhan Cymbals, Gibson SG Standard, Yamaha APX-4a Accoustic, Yamaha G100II w/ 4x12 cab for bass, Fender Pecision Bass, Ampeg SVT 350 and Hartke xl cab, Fender 15w Pro Junior...
Anything else?
Peace Love and Understanding!
