Vikki Blankenship profile picture

Vikki Blankenship

About Me

In an effort to simplify, I'm re-writing my bio. So this is one of my New Year's resolutions. Keep it short and sweet. :)First, welcome to my site. Hope you all have a peaceful New Year in 2008.My musical background is a hodge podge of several different things spanning nearly 32 yrs now. Classical, rock, fingerstyle, "new age", blues, jazz, TV theme songs, surf, reggae or whatever the mood called for at the time. I began playing piano at age 7. My mother inspired me to play..on her '59 Wurlitzer upright. Mostly classical with some dabbling in composition. At 12 yrs old, I moved over to the guitar. After building up a relationship with the instrument (not to mention discovering Heart and Nancy Wilson!), I began taking lessons at 16. I decided it was time to get serious. I took my last formal lesson when I was 21. During those 5 yrs, I learned alot about technique, posturing...'making every note count'.. There is little room for error on a nylon string classical. What a great learning tool! I have my former teacher, Eric Tanner, to thank for that. However, I never quite got into the aspects of theory and the whole "science/math" behind music. I went the way of 'ear and feel' and possibly using the Force. I simply *believe*. Two years after lessons ended, I began to focus on honing all that I learned, loved and was inspired by into something that would reep me great joy and happiness. Now I have the priviledge to give that back to others in whatever way I can. Either by teaching or playing out at local open mics.


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Music:

Member Since: 11/13/2006
Influences: Nancy Wilson (Heart), Roger Fisher (Heart), Leo Kottke, Michael Hedges, Christopher Parkening, Muriel Anderson, Vicki Genfan, Martin Barre, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton (Cream), Robin Trower, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Lyndsay Buckingham, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Concrete Blonde, The Beatles, The Byrds, Mamas and the Papas, Peter Paul & Mary, The Association, Jefferson Airplane, Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Turtles, The Sweet, Argent, The Moody Blues, Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, 10 Yrs After, The Police, Bob Marley and The Wailers, Herb Alpert And The Tijuana Brass, Dead Can Dance, Live, Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Radiohead and 100 other bands and/or songs that just make an everlasting impression (including some ol disco greats). And Hot Butter's "Popcorn"! (Carl Douglas's "Kung Fu Fighting"?) You gotta know when to laugh, too, ya know.
Sounds Like: I've been thinking about this one. I wasn't sure how to answer it. From the perspective of an arranger/composer, a guitar player, a guitar lover? hmm.. Well, I'll start with 'arranger' first: Sounds like stories being told, conversational at times..or upbeat, spirited and preachy. As a 'guitar player': It sounds like 'someone searching for the Holy Grail' within themselves and doesn't feel that they've quite found it yet, but they won't give up the search. As a 'guitar lover' (and biased Ovation fan).. it's sounds "Hybrid". I recorded my first demo 'unplugged'. I did my second half 'plugged in'. I've always felt that if you're going to play an Ovation, then one should play it the way it *ought* to be played. Truely, as an 'acoustic/electric'...being able to incorporate both 'worlds' of music and guitar playing. As a sidenote, when playing totally electric, I tend to gravitate toward blues/rock or jazz/rock styling..and mostly just improvisational.
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

2-12-09: Re-finished a 1982 Westone Thunder I electric guitar

Several months ago, I finally began re-finishing my 1982 Westone Thunder I electric guitar.  It's a Japanese student model made by the Matsumoku corp. (Aria Pro, etc).  I believe the company was later...
Posted by on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 11:13:00 GMT

8/4/08: New song uploaded: The Dragon Dance (live open mic 9-20-07)

Hello Friends,     This is just let people know that I added a new (old) song to the player.  It's called The Dragon Dance.  I wrote this 4-5 yrs ago.  It's been an open ...
Posted by on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Acoustic vs. Electric

  Well, that's relative isn't it?  I suppose it depends on the player.  Beauty is in eye of the beholder.     I always treated my acoustic playing with more seriousness....
Posted by on Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:58:00 GMT

Antidotes for these songs :)

Hello Friends and Visitors!     It was brought to my attention (thanks Gordon. :)) that it might be a good idea (and I agree) to post the stories/antidotes for the songs on this sight.&...
Posted by on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 15:19:00 GMT