Steve Ouimette

I’ve been playing music all my life. Starting back on a funky, old (then new) Kimball Entertainer organ at age 5, it was clear that music would be my path. The organ only lasted a couple of years, mainly because it broke after our move from Minnesota to California. It was after hearing KISS for the first time that I knew that something had changed. I had to rock! First it was drums, then I moved onto guitar at age 12. Guitars just felt natural to me, and over the course of many years now I’ve never been able to put them down. In the early days I practiced 6-8 hours every day which really paid off in the long run. The guitar is an extension of me, my thoughts and my creativity and there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not inspired one way or another through it.
Over the years I’ve been involved in many different bands and projects but nothing has compared to my affiliation with Guitar Hero. Starting on Guitar Hero 3, I played guitar and bass and also produced 8 tracks for the game. After its release I also have had the opportunity to create or recreate songs with a bit of my own creative slant on them (We Three Kings, etc.). In June 2008, GH Aerosmith was released and of the 4 tracks I recorded, 2 of them made it onto the game (Personality Crisis, Hard To Handle). Since then I’ve also been involved in other GH material that I will one day be able to talk about. Thank you Activision/Red Octane/Neversoft!
But, Guitar Hero isn’t the only thing I do. I write, record and produce original music for film and television as well as other games. Most all of my time is spent either working on new music or coming up with new ideas that will one day be available in many different formats. More recently I’ve begun an affiliation with Premier Guitar Magazine where I write a monthly column as well as product reviews. I’ve also begun doing video lessons based on the many questions I’ve been asked by so many cool people. Having had one of the best guitar teachers alive (Jim Bedford), it feels like it’s time to spread the knowledge to those who are learning guitar now. It’s inspiring.
So, what’s next? There will be more games to write music for…many more. Films and television are a big focus for me as is my own original compositions. I don’t just write rock guitar music…though it’s fun, it’s only one of many styles I’m interested in. And although guitar is my main instrument, much of my new music stems from various places and isn’t always guitar-centric. That’s not to say that there won’t be a lot more of that to come…there will.
This page is a place for me to connect with everyone who has made it possible for me to live out my dreams of making my life about music. It’s your constant support that humbles me and allows me to continue doing what I do best. Thank you so much for the support.
Finally, I want to thank D’Addario Strings for taking me on as an artist endorser this year. After 20 years of playing their strings it was perfect timing to join up with them. Thank you D’Addario.
P.S. LONG LIVE MARSHALL AMPS!