Any and all music that has emotion, balls and something that keeps your attention. Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, EVH, Ritchie Blackmore, Jimmy Gnecco, Jellyfish, Zeppelin, Django, Queen, Bowie, Barber, Bartok, Beethoven. There are too many to list, but as long as the music comes from a place that is meaningful I will probably latch onto it.
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.
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the support and friendship! If you haven't already, please go to our main site and subscribe via RSS or e-mail on the right hand side. We are around 200 subscribers right now, but our goal is to have 500+ by the end of this month. The more support we get this way, the more we can give back to the guitar and music community in form of exposing new talent, giveaways, and prizes. Thanks! I truly appreciate your help!
Thanks to you, I've gotten back into listening to Christmas music. Sure its only your "We Three Kings" but it still counts. Also love "Devil Went Down to Georgia." Thanks for all of your hard work in creating the music. I'm very impressed.
Hey Steve....I just watched all 8:35 of your Vibrato lesson.....lots of great pointers there.....Since watching your primer, I've been using the wrist technique on my lady's G-note and she seems to respond with enthusiasm! Sometimes I can hit the high G with the no thumb techinque and OH MY GOD! We both thank you! You ROCK!
PS. Can I have one of those guitars in the backgound of your video...you can't possibly play them all!
hi steve.. its a great honor be in your friend list in myspace.. time ago i can say "i play guitar" that was before hear "the devil went down to georgia" and "we three kings" amazing songs.. thanks for the music and thaks for the request.. well good bye..
Steve I absolutely love your song Zazel it's just so original and great sounding. I also love your song Mr.Bones I listen to those two almost everytime I'm on my computer. You rock! Keep being a great guitar player to show the next generation of rockers what to live up to.
Comin' from the man himself...:) I bow to thee fellow GH Warrior, for you have rocked as hard as allowable by Arizona state law and than some!! Winter's comin' and you know what that means... Talk soon bro!
