Well, one day I was born. Some people say hatched, some say formed under the shade of a rock, but I was born, so let's end that myth.

Then, I heard "Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)", and from then on I have been fascinated with guitar. My teen years were spent sleeping, breathing, eating guitar. I would like to say I am proficient, but all I can say is I am not deficient. After some success in bands in my teens, I became somewhat cocky about the whole thing, moving to Florida and trying out in bands, only to find there would always be someone better. 15 minutes on YouTube, and you can find not only your favorite guitar hero playing his signature licks, but about 10 or more homemade videos of people in their living room, playing that same riff just as good. I realized that playing guitar was not everything, so I listened to other instruments and other music, picking up odds and sods from all of it. Some people are rockers, some jazz snobs, some classical lovers. Me, I like pretty much anything. As long as it has heart. I also appreciate the songwriter. It is one thing to play Stairway to Heaven, but it is a whole 'nother thing to write it. That is where the true feeling is, in the passion of the songwriter. I guess that is why American Idol does not do it for me. Those people, although talented, are a dime a dozen compared to a good songwriter.

Just listen to my podcast, Top of the Podsafes (Music For The People, By The People, so you have no excuse...) through the link below and you will know there are great undiscovered songwriters out there. Also, check out my band, Crush right here on the PMN.

I do not begin to say I am a great songwriter, but I do feel I know how difficult the process is, and also the magic of listening back to something and thinking "I do not believe that is me!". When artists allude to the fact that they are given the gift of a song, I can understand that. It does feel like you are just a conduit and something else channeled it through you.


 

Check out Top of the Podsafes on MySpace!

Check out Crush on MySpace!