Music
I grew up listening to guys like Yngwie Malmsteen, Akira Takasaki, Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci… my life changed when I heard Malmsteen’s "Rising Force" for the first time.
It was about 1983, I was locked in my room with my Les Paul copy and my Marshall "12 watt"… playing Iron Maiden licks.
Dave Murray and Adrian Smith hugely contributed to my early development. "Piece of Mind" and "Number of the Beast" (some of the greatest work ever recorded) had me working on pentatonic harmonies and phrasings. I was like a sponge.
I remember the day, my grandma took me to a little music store in West Virginia (where my cousin worked) – and there I stood, in the middle of the store… dumbfounded. This guy was shredding. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing over the store’s sound system.
My grandma knew I had to have it. She bought my first Malmsteen record and I am eternally grateful.
Yngwie changed me with "Rising Force". Arpeggios, harmonic and melodic minor phrasings redefined how I thought about guitar soloing.
Another huge influence was Akira Takasaki. I remember the first time I heard "Thunder in the East"… I was about 15 and I can remember my jaw dropping when I heard that first riff to "Crazy Night". I picked up a ton of direction from the first 3 American albums.
When I thought I had heard it all… I got my first Racer X album. Paul Gilbert just blew my mind. "Second Heat" blew it again with the addition of Bruce Bouillet and the scary dual guitars. One word.. "Scarified".
It seemed like everything "Shrapnel Records" put out was phenomenal. Guys like Tony MacAlpine, Ritchie Kotzen, Paul Gilbert and Jason Becker did things on a guitar, I could only dream of.
And then… we have John Petrucci and Dream Theater. Once again, my life was changed. I learned a ton about melody and phrasing from songs like "A Fortune in Lies" – I was blown away.
Another wonderful influence was Dimebag Darrell. Everything he did was original and I loved his playing with both Pantera and Damageplan. Songs like "Goddamn Electric", "Drag the Waters", "Yesterday don’t mean shit", "Save Me" and "Cemetery Gates" – his grooves, melodies and smokin solos were one of a kind. Dime was a master at what he did and he made it look effortless.
These days, some of my favorites are Richie Kotzen, Dime, Andy Timmons, John Sykes, Oziel Filho, Joe Satriani, Brett Garsed, Akira Takasaki, Russ Freeman, Jeff Golub, George Lynch, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci, Yngwie, Tony MacAlpine and of course, Paul Gilbert. These guys are the real thing.
 |
I will never forget the morning of December 9th 2004. I sat down at my computer to read the morning news… only to find out Dime had been killed. I could not believe it. Dime has always been one of my favorite players. He was a very innovative musician. His sound was as unique as his playing. God knows I will miss him. Rest in peace brother Dime. |
Favorite Equipment
I am a minimalist at heart. Turn it on, plug it in, turn it up.. 1 knob, 2 buttons and start playing. I have replaced a stack of amps and effects with a few smarter alternatives.
My studio is a perpetual work-in-progress. I use the Yamaha MO6 for music production, Pro Tools for recording and EZ Drummer for percussion.
My American Strat is my favorite guitar (my Tele is a close second) and I love the tones I get out of Guitar Rig 3.
I like Mixcraft for post production. This is a great product for the money (huge bang for the buck) – I recently updated to version 5 and it’s a wonderful tool.
Songs and Ideas
Red
Inspired by my beautiful Red and Blue Angel! I was just sitting in my studio… minding my own business.. and bam… this song just starts coming outta me.
I opened a new session in Pro Tools and started laying down the chorus. Then the second verse… then the first…
This was the first real song I’ve written in a really long time. I guess I haven’t had much to say until now :-)
(click on the arrow below to listen to my song "Red")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: Addictive Drums
Vocals: Me using the AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2010
Summer Breeze (Cover)
Cara loves the song “Summer Breeze” by Seals and Crofts. It always reminds her of fond memories as a kid. I love to see this girl in her ‘happy place’ – and this song does it for her :-)
So… I thought I’d try to cover this one for her… sort of an early Christmas present. Turns out… it kinda jams out as a rock song ;-)
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Summer Breeze")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: Addictive Drums
Vocals: Me using the AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Blood is thicker than water (BLS Cover)
Zakk is definitely one of my favorite players. I especially like this song and always wanted to cover it.
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Blood is thicker than water")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: EZ Drummer
Vocals: Me using the AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Golden Lady (Cover)
While jamming out to “Golden Lady” by Stevie Wonder… I thought, “this song would groove as a rock song”
So… here is my cover of “Golden Lady” (don’t tell Stevie.. ok?)
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Golden Lady")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: EZ Drummer
Vocals: AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Cold Sweat (Cover)
John Sykes has been one of my favorite players since I was a kid. His guitar work in Thin Lizzy and Blue Murder is genius. His playing has always inspired me.
I can remember the first time I heard “Cold Sweat” by Thin Lizzy. Phil Lynott’s deep, raspy vocals and John’s ripping guitars made my jaw drop. I went out to the store that day and bought “Thunder and Lightning”.
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Cold Sweat")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat and Ibanez RG
Percussion: EZ Drummer
Vocals: Me using the AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Hem of your garment (Cover)
Yeah… I love cake… mmm.. chocolate cake.. no.. wait.. I’m talking about “Cake” the band :-)
“Hem of your garment” provides a great canvas for some delicious guitar melodies and riffs. It is another all time favorite of mine.
The bass line and original guitar solos just groove. Not to mention the chorus and the opening riff… I had to cover this wonderful song.
The first time I heard it… Jim Carrey was flipping out in “Me Myself and Irene”. It was my favorite part of that movie and it couldn’t have been as funny without “Hem of your garment” playing as a theme.
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Hem of your garment")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: Roland DR5 and Alesis DM Pro
Vocals: AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Burnin’ For You (Cover)
You know what I’m burnin’ for? A good damn vocalist. Since I don’t have a singer caged and ready in the studio… I had to do this one myself.
That being said… "Burnin’ for you" by BOC has got to be one of my ALL TIME favorites. I am really happy with how the music turned out… (the vocals are another story… see paragraph one ;-)
So without further ado.. I’m burnin, I’m burnin for you….
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover "Burnin’ For You")
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: EZ Drummer
Vocals: AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2008
Cruise
I originally wrote this piece in 1997 when a good guitar sound was tough to come by :-) I have always wanted to re-record it and this version was re-worked to fit my current style of playing.
The song went unnamed for several years until I remembered a friend saying that he loved to jam this song while he was cruisin’ in the car. So… thanks for the name!
I recorded it with Pro Tools, all the guitars are using a custom setting in Guitar Rig 3 and of course I am using my Strat :-)
The mix is uncompressed and I purposely left the second chorus out… will be added it in another remix. All in all, I am pretty happy with it.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Strat
Percussion: EZ Drummer and Yamaha MO6
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2008
Ah! Leah!! (Cover)
Come on… you know you love Donnie Iris too! Man, I grew up listening to this guy.
“Ah! Leah!!” has one of the coolest guitar solos ever. So… of course I had to lay down a cover of this one.
My friend Dan Huff helped out with the “ah leah” chorus vocals (thanks Dan!!)
Well… anyway… here we go again…
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Tele
Percussion: EZ Drummer
Vocals: AKG C 3000B
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2009
Space Lord (Cover)
I have loved the song "Space Lord" since the day I heard it. I am still not sure what the hell it means but it ROCKS and this is my feeble attempt to cover it.
(click on the arrow below to listen to my cover of Space Lord)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Guitar: Fender Tele and Yamaha Acoustic
Percussion: EZ Drummer and Yamaha MO6
Vocals: Me and a mic (hey… you come over and do better… j/k ;-)
Guitar Amps: Guitar Rig 3
Recorded: 2008
Ain’t None
Here is the beginning of my hybrid remake of "Ain’t no sunshine" using a great custom setting in Guitar Rig 3 and my Strat.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tonelab SE Demo
Here is the first idea that I recorded using the Yamaha MO6 and the Vox Tonelab SE (click on the arrow below to start)
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Better Days
Here is yet another 1:40 minute composition that never made it to songville. It has some nice chops and melodies. This was recorded during a period when I could not get a good guitar sound to save my life. :-)
Guitar: Yamaha Electric
Percussion: Roland DR5
Recorded:1998
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Tears
This was written during a rough time in my life. Things were hard but I was inspired and this melody just happened.
Here is the best recording I ever laid down of this idea.
Guitar: Yamaha Electric
Percussion: Roland DR5
Recorded: 1998
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
More "no name" ideas :-)
We all have them… songs with no name. Hey… I am outta thoughts… no more energy to think.
The guitars are real thin but I really like the piano blend.
Guitar: Yamaha Electric
Percussion: Roland DR5
Recorded: 1997
Song One
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song Two
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
|
WNIR Radio Songs We called the show under the assumed identities, (Chris and Kyle) and announced our intentions. |
 Here is an old scrapbook picture I found… Dan is on the right and I am the other guy. :-) |
For entertainment sake, the host of the show took us up on the offer. So we spent about 15 minutes writing it, 2 hours recording it and viola… talk radio had a theme song.
A week later we were invited to the radio studio for the morning show and then on the dating show shortly there after. We were guests on the show several times.
Song One
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Song Two
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
One and Only
This song was taped and mailed to me by a friend who was listening to a radio station in Toledo Ohio.
The quality is a little poor but hey… it was on the radio.. :-)
Guitar: BC Rich Mockingbird
Percussion: Roland DR5
Recorded about 1995
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Really Early Stuff
Back when I was a teenager
Instrumental at 17 years old
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
More stuff from around 19 years old
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.