Old School Influences:
Rick Wakeman, Keith Emerson, Jan Hammer, Chick Corea, David Paich (Toto), Tom Schuman (Spyro Gyra), Jeff Lorber and David Sancious.
Modern Influences:
Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Derek Sherinian (Planet X, Dream Theater), Neal Morse (Spock's Beard, Transatlantic), Matt Guillory (Dali's Dilema, James Labrie), John Novello (Niacin), Fred Schendel (Glass Hammer).
Plus all the plethora of guitar players I listen to and love.
Bill Rebsamen: 1986 Graduate Kansas City Art Insitute. Mostly self-taught musically. "In the 8th grade my older cousin Robert introduced me to Emerson, Lake & Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery". I'd always been enthralled by synth music from a young age but hearing Emo shred up the organ, piano and moog on that album really opened my eyes and ears. Suddenly in my mind I could picture what a player's hands were doing and I could discern intricate finger patterns on the keyboard and eventually (by determination, trial and error), I could play some of what I was hearing on my own. From then on I knew I had to get serious about being a keyboard player. Then in the the summer of my 10th grade year I enrolled in a Jazz Improvisation workshop at our local community college where I learned about pentatonic scales and thought I ruled the world! After that I seemed to always hang with older, more experienced musicians and started playing in bar bands even while underage!"
Finally the desire to perform only original music prevailed at which time Bill met his lifelong music friends with whom, after many years, he now plays with in the band Young Earth.
The Christian prog band Young Earth is the passionate musical pursuit of keyboardist Bill Rebsamen.
“I prayed a funny prayer several years ago. ‘Lord, take my love of music, art and for all the wonders of Your creation. Use them all together somehow to bring glory to Your name.’ I grew up in the 70’s on a steady diet of progressive rock. I learned how to say the word “synthesizer” when I was 9 years old after listening to Rick Wakeman’s "Journey to the Center of the Earth". By age 10 I was asking for Elton John albums and piano songbooks for Christmas. By High School I was thoroughly enamored by groups like ELP, Kansas, Yes, Genesis and Styx. Music has always been part of my life. I’m pleased now to be able to share my musical vision with others who love progressive rock music.”
Here is an interesting side note. "As I've mentioned above, I was introduced to prog rock (or art rock) at an early age but didnt really catch on to what it all meant until much later. The year was 1979, it was the heyday of many Church groups encouraging young people to burn their Rock and Roll albums. Here I was in the 9th grade and was really just starting to go out and buy albums. Most of my friends were getting into AC/DC, Judas Priest and Van Halen. A friend of mine named Penny had an older brother who chose to go into youth ministry and decided to get rid of his entire album collection. But instead of burning them, Penny talked him in to giving them to me!
In this collection were two very influential albums. Kansas' "Masque" album and Yes "Going for the One". This type of music connected with me in a much more meaningful way than all the Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll music. Oh I still listened to all of that (I was after all still a teenager) but it was prog music that had developed a lasting place in my heart. I felt as if I knew about something special that most of my friends would simply not take the time to examine. To this day I can literally feel the music if it is something that inspires me.
It's funny how a few albums saved from a fire all those many years ago have affected my life still to this day. I dont condemn any kind of music. Music is a gift and ability from God. He has given us the abilty to freely create from our hearts. I still love to listen to Eddie Van Halen or Alex Lifeson from Rush. Their accomplishments continue to inspire me. It makes me sad that Eddie has not turned out a new album in so many years. I can remember back in 1979 sitting down at the family piano at home trying to pick out passages of Eddie's "Eruption" solo. I would wonder how a keyboard player could ever sound like a guitarist. Not long after that that I found out about Jan Hammer! Emulation, inspiration, hardwork and passion all go hand in hand with becoming any kind of an artist."
Bill is also a renown visual artist who has illustrated many books and provided art and music for Discovery Channel, The History Channel and Travel Channel. He produces all the art and graphics seen here and for the band Young Earth as well as photography, logos and album art for other bands. Bill is married and has a beautiful daughter named Stephanie.
Pleased to virtually meet you. Thank you for joining my circle of cyber friends, for excepting the add, and for sharing your Wonderful Music with me. Good Vibes! Prog On!! Take care and have yourself an Inspiring Week!! Warmest Regards from Toronto, Canada
Great music. Wow, mostly self-taught? Major musical accomplishments! Nice you got to play one of the first Kurzweil 250s too! At that time I was just getting into my DW8000!
Hey Bill! Thanks for the ad! I'm so glad I found you on MySpace! Lovin' what I'm hearing so far on the site! Much love from Cleveland, Your sister in prog, ~Harmony
Hey Bill,
I hope you are fine ;)
I wanted to let you know I finally released my first solo album "EGO" and added new audioclips on my player. I hope you will find the time to listen them :)
Thanks anyways!
Peace,
Hey Bill:-) thanks for your coment !
I enjoy your music too! Oh realy I have it in my head with other instruments but Im not coming that far yet. Thanks for the messige too wish you a great day! Keep in touch
Martina :-)
Hey Bill Rebsamen
Two new Song Samples from our forthcoming CD “RETROSPECTIVE” are online. Please feel free to comment…. Have a nice weekend!
SILENT MEMORIAL progressive rock/metal from Switzerland
Just wanted to say how much we sincerely appreciate all the new friendships we've made recently, all the people that have remained friends, and especially all the people that have become fans of our music. We also love all the nice comments, please keep on coming by! We couldn't have gotten this far without all of you.
For those of you who cannot get to a show and have asked us where to pick up the album.
In the U.S. go to
cdbaby.com/cd/anothertragedy
In the U. K. or Europe
go to amazon.co.uk
or any of the Amazon European affiliates
Thank you so much everyone! ANOTHER TRAGEDY
sorry for this unpersonal comment, because of the huge traffic on our site is it not possible to check out all the new friends. We'll try to change this as soon as possible ;-)
there will be more music at our site as soon the mix (Roastinghouse Malmö Sweden) will be done!
We'll keep you up to date!
SILENT MEMORIAL progressive rock/metal from switzerland
You are SO awesome!!! Thank you got your stuff in the mail!!! I went to a Youth Camp this last weekend, so haven't got time to look at it yet! Did worship @ it! I'll speak to you soon!
