Jay "SnakkDaddy" Rusnak

real editor best profile tools Originally hailing from Chicago, Jay now makes his home a bit further south and east--in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As 2009 begins, Jay has joined forces with the powerhouse Charlotte-based hard rock coverband MR. BIGWIG as well as reforming his not-your-run-of-the-mill two-man-band TWO'S A CROWD and his 80's rock revue ROCK OF AGES. Jay also maintains a full teaching schedule, does the odd session, and is in the midst of authoring a book detailing fresh, logical, and concise theoretical and technical approaches to advanced lead guitar improvisation. Also look for a track featuring Jay to appear on the Guitar Nine instrumental album "Alien8 Yourself".
In addition, Jay continues to bash away at the composition of "Hangman's Hand"--a rock opera/concept album that he hopes to finish in the coming year and plans to feature some special guests of considerable reknown on lead vocals. More on this later.....
Other items of note include:
--Was a member of Ron Keel's "IronHorse" from 2002-2006 with whom he released the CD entitled "Bring It On" on Compendia/V-Tone Records. Most of you will remember Ron as the highly respected vocalist who founded the the popular 80's metal acts, "KEEL" and "Steeler."
--Has been featured in Mike Varney's "New Talent" column in GUITAR WORLD (Mike has been responsible for the discovery of such guitar luminaries as Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony MacAlpine, Vinnie Moore, and many others) as well as having authored instructional columns for several other guitar publications.
--Was a popular player and instructor in Chicagoland where he performed constantly with a vast array of different bands--from alternative pop and live Karoake to original hard rock bands and tributes to such metal icons as Judas Priest, The Scorpions, Iron Maiden, and Aerosmith.
--Attended the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he studied advanced Classical Theory, Voiceleading, and Jazz Improvisation.
--Is currently endorsed by Rotosound strings , Morley pedals , and In-Tune Guitar Picks
--Teaches exclusively at Locals Guitars and Music (click link below to view site).
Locals Guitars and Music
--For a current list of Jay's guitars, amplification, etc. used during live performances, please visit the blog above entitled "Live Performance Equipment List".