Gary Shepherd profile picture

Gary Shepherd

Original Acoustic Guitar Instrumentals & Vocals

About Me

I began playing guitar on a dare. When I was a kid, my mother and grandmother were waxing lyrical about my cousin, who strummed a few chords and sang. I was playing piano, but not practicing as much as I should (I just couldn't take to classical piano method). I remember thinking about what my cousin was doing, and turning to my mother and grandmother, and saying, "it's only guitar; it's not that hard" (guess I was jealous). They in turn looked at me and said, "well let's see you do it then". I went and bought my first guitar at a local music store for $30. On reflection, it was probably a piece of junk, but at the time I remember thinking it was the most wonderful thing I'd ever owned. In the decades since, I've spent as much time as possible with a guitar in hand. Talk about taking to something like a duck to water. I've taught guitar, I've played professionally, I've sought out music and people associated with guitar, and I've listened and learned along the way. My closest friends are all people I've met through music in general, and guitar, in particular. I met my beautiful wife at a gig, when she came up and asked me to play a song, and my son (Sam Shepherd - look up his MySpace), has developed into an astonishing solo guitarist. It's now almost impossible for me to imagine where my life would be, if I hadn't taken up that dare. I thank my mother and grandmother, for putting me on the spot, and I thank my cousin for showing me those first few chords.Profile Edited by MPS MySpace Editor 2.0 My World Visitor Map!
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/5/2007
Band Website: I'll get around to making a website someday
Band Members: Me myself and I....I'm a control freak
Influences: I was influenced by the singer-songwriters of the 70's, such as Don McLean, James Taylor, Gordon Lightfoot etc. In guitar playing my first influences were the English players, Davy Graham, Bert Jansch, and John Renbourne. Then I discovered Jerry Reed on a $1 bargain bin record, and was blown away. These days I still gravitate toward acoustic artists, both on solo guitar and guitar and vocals. In the last several years, though, I'd have to say my biggest influence has been my son, Sam. He's developing into a world-class guitar player, and his enthusiasm and determination to improve has reignited my passion for guitar-playing. Check out Sam's playing on his MySpace page (you can find him at 1 position on my friends list). Also, both Sam and I owe a lot to my good mate, Michael Fix, who is truly one of the world's finest fingerpickers. I met Michael about 10 years ago, and we instantly became firm friends. Just absorbing all things guitaristic from him by the process of osmosis has been a great experience. Again, you should do yourself a favour, and check out his MySpace page (he's also in my top friends list). I've played many brands of guitar over the last thirty-five years, including some by the most highly respected makers. In the last year I've started playing AYERS guitars, and they are the most remarkable instruments I've ever played. Ayers is a relatively new and small company in Vietnam. However, they are commited to the ideal of making the best guitars they possibly can. I find that sort of integrity and spirit very inspiring, and it certainly influences my playing choices.
Sounds Like: A mix of laid-back solo guitar, and even more laid-back guitar/vocal music. I wish I was a rocker, but that requires far too much effort.
Record Label: Thumbprint Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Guitar Lessons

I've finally figured out how to do the video guitar lessons more effectively. So, hopefully, I will now be able to add new videos from time to time - stay posted!!!
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:30:00 PST

The Long Goodbye

This tune is dedicated to my late father, Owen Shepherd. We come from a long line of seafaring folk, and my Dad was most content when he was on the water. He worked many years doing soul-destroying jo...
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:05:00 PST

Fingerstyle Guitar Lessons on MySpace

I will be posting some guitar lessons on my MySpace page, in video format. The idea being that the lesson will change every couple of weeks, and will build on the previous lesson. I've taught guitar f...
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Fri, 17 Aug 2007 03:31:00 PST

My Guitars

For those who've asked, I have too many guitars (at least that's what my wife says). My main stage acoustic guitar is an Ayers (model MiCCR). I do demonstration clinics for Ayers guitars in Australia....
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Tue, 07 Aug 2007 04:21:00 PST

'Til the Well Runs Dry

The first vocal tune I've put up on MySpace. In Australia, at the moment, we've been experiencing the worst drought in recorded history. I thought I should write a song that deals with some of the exp...
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:09:00 PST

Gemma

This is for my gorgeous daughter, Gemma. It sounds like her! She was a little horrified to find that I'd written it many years before she was born, and wondered how it could be for her. I told her the...
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:04:00 PST

Thumbprint

I wrote this tune as a tribute to the late great Chet Atkins. I'm very pleased with how it came out, because many people have said it sounds like something Chet could have written. It also won the 200...
Posted by Gary Shepherd on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 04:02:00 PST