Learning to play guitar is a journey that countless people start, but far fewer complete. As someone who's spent over three decades teaching guitar and performing professionally, I've noticed a pattern among successful students that might surprise you: they embrace the challenge rather than seeking ...

They say sports build character, and in my case, basketball was the crucible. Convinced by friends to join a team, I naively stepped onto the court, oblivious to the potential pitfalls. My active nature, fueled by my mom’s encouragement, had me diving into sports year-round.

Then came the infamou...

Music has always been a part of my life. While I never had the chance to know my birth mother, a gifted pianist and choir singer who tragically passed away when I was young, her musical influence was profound. It wasn't until I met my birth grandmother, a talented pianist and violinist, at 19 that I...

Music has always been a powerful force in my life, weaving its way into my journey from a young age.

Early Strumming and Unexpected Discoveries:

At just 4 and a half years old, my musical exploration began with guitar lessons, thanks to my mom's encouragement.  Playing guitar with the church choir...

Back in my early days, fresh off the bus and eager to prove myself, I landed a gig playing guitar with country legend Eddie Raven. Excitement crackled in the air, my fingers buzzed with anticipation – and I clutched my secret weapon: a hefty binder bursting with charts, each meticulous page fille...

Introduction:

In the world of music, chance encounters often lead to lasting friendships and valuable lessons. One such encounter that left an indelible mark on my musical journey was the night I met John Bohlinger on a gig. Little did I know, this meeting would introduce me to a talented musician ...

When teaching guitar, a common question is, "How do you learn songs?" This blog post explores an effective method involving extensive listening. By immersing yourself in the music and training your mind like a mental tape player, you can learn songs more efficiently. Let's dive in!

1. Embrace th...

Playing the guitar is a beautiful form of self-expression, but sometimes, deciphering the music notation can be quite challenging. That's where TABs (Tablature) come in handy. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced guitarist, understanding TABs opens up a world of possibilities. In this compreh...

It’s hard for me to believe that 20 years ago this month (October) I flew to Japan for a gig!

That experience brings fond memories of performing in front of 30,000 people in Kumamoto, Japan.

The flight over was long (I don’t sleep well on planes) and I never got on their time zone.

About hearing, we only get the ears we are born with and we need to take good care of them.

In the early 90’s, I was rehearsing with my band that had an enthusiastic drummer (currently Trace Adkins drummer) that it hit the skins really hard.

In rehearsals my left ear always faced him and brunt ...