As a product of being born next to the youngest of seven siblings, my influences range from Classical, Jazz, Big Band, Doo Wop, Country, and mostly Rock and Roll, right up to and including New Wave, Metal, Indie and Contemporary Rock. I love it all in measure!
As a guitarist, my biggest influences come from artists like the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, James Taylor, John Denver, Cat Stevens, and other folk musicians from the early years. As my playing evolved, I began to incorporate many bands from the 1970s, including David Bowie, Led Zeppelin, The Who, and other groups we now classify as Classic Rock.
As an intermediate musician, the only genre I don’t particularly care for is rap and hip-hop. God bless those folks for making millions without earning an instrument or taking vocal lessons. To quote Warren Zevon, “Give me all your drugs, sex, and money.” Those familiar with the line above will recognize my one-word addition. I recall turning on a new cable network and watching MTV during its early days, with the opening song being quite fitting: “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Music is still recovering from the impact of those prophetic words. Just my humble opinion.
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