My music tastes are eclectic. I play what tickles me. As a kid, hearing Hot Tuna's version of Hesitation Blues on the radio was a religious experience for me. Don't know why, it just was. I have been trying to make pyrotechnic sounds come out of an acoustic guitar ever since. Consequently I focus a lot of my energy learning other peoples' stuff -- artists off the mainstream. I love Simon Fox from Australia. The Fisherman and Night Fishing are his compositions with my twist. Al Petteway is another guitarist who makes complicated scores appear effortless. Jack Williams is one of my new guitar heros. Not only is he lyrically amazing and a gifted musical story teller, but he burns up an acoustic fret board with effortless style and power. Willie Porter is one of the most amazing acoustic artist and singer I have ever seen and heard in concert. What he does with alternate tunings is beyond words. Amazing voice too. Early influences were Paul Simon, John B. Sebastian, Kenny Rankin and James Taylor.
I used to perform a lot when I was in college. And got out of it to chase the almighty dollar. ::sigh:: If I had to do it all over again.... It's never too late. I had a few life altering/threatening experiences a few months ago (a couple of white light experiences) which have put a whole new slant on my perspective. The clock's a tickin'! I've been performing a lot around town lately and gotten a lot of positive feedback. I haven't written anything in years, but I have a few on the fire.
I play a custom made Petros Grand Concert guitar made by Bruce and Matt Petros at their shop in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. They have many beautiful motifs. The model I play is The Celt. This is the most amazing instrument I have ever played. We designed it using Master-grade Italian Spruce and Macassar Ebony. The voice the guitar produces via the combination of these two tone woods versus what you find in your local music store is otherworldly. To me, Petros Guitars takes the art of guitar making to a whole new level. Check 'em out www.petrosguitars.com. I also use a LR Baggs pickup system and Fender Acoustasonic Ultralight amplifier. I use Dunlop thumb picks and ProPic 1-Ang finger picks for playing my Hot Tuna tunes.
I also met Tom Doerr, an extraordinarily talented young Luthier from Michigan, at the Newport/Miami Guitar Fesitval in May, 2008. I picked up an understated 000 (or as he calls it The Trinity) and couldn't put it down. The voice that he has created is beyond belief. I have been in the market for a 12-fret, 000, slot head for a long time and have tested many. To me, this is the perfect small body guitar. Tom & his wife Kelly are great people too. Again, you ain't gonna find a guitar like this at Guitar Center so google him and get on the waiting list.
Thanks for coming to my site. And thanks Adam for feeling that I needed to have one, then doing it for me.
