How did you get started in music and what drew you to the guitar?
Honestly, I wanted to grow up and be Paul Stanley of KISS :). It didn't happen...but it could've been worse..I couldve grown up to be Vinnie Vincent LOL. Guitar just looked like a really fun thing to do. I had no desire to be a great player, I just wanted to have fun with. But, I love playing and always want to try to better my playing.
How did you get into Flamenco music?
I got into Flamenco music in high school via 2 different ways. I heard Al Dimeola (and
Paco De Lucia and John MacGalughlin) doing Mediteranean Sundance and just flipped out over it. The other way was a buddy of mine, Bruno Abanto used to come in the music store I hung out at and always played parts of Maleguena and I loved what I heard. I could never remember how to pronounce the name of the song though but that main theme struck a nerve in me and that is why I decided to do a version of it on my CD. I should also give credit to Heart's "Crazy on You" although that is not "Flamenco" that intro and chord strumming is very close and that was another one of those "life changing songs" and to this day, is still my #1 song of all time. When I realized this sound was called "Flamenco" ! ...not to be confused with Flamingo LOL..I started hitting all the used record stores in my town and anytime I came accross an album with Spanish words that I couldn't pronounce I bought it :). Got stuck with some "clunkers" but got turned on to Sabicas and Montoya and others that way. So actually pretty early on I got into but just more seriously in recent years.
What's the upside and downside of your two different motifs, acoustic and electric? Do you prefer one over the other?
Hmmmm...that depends on the mood and my musical environment...what projects I'm doing. I started out on acoustic so that love will never go away but sometimes I just like to "rock out". I used to play about 60-40 electric vs acoustic sometime 70-30...now days though it is more like 95-5 acoustic vs electric. They really are two different animals though and take different approaches. I think you have to be more creative with acoustic as with electric there are so many "sounds" that can be created, sometimes a player can just rely on that..
In your bio you mention the essential elements of music: technique, melody, feeling, and style. How would you rate those in order of most important and why?
hmmm..good question? To me, melody is thee most important which is why I can listen to Mozart and then Hole. Melody translates over anything. Feeling is in the beholder. Some hear a guy play fast and say he has no feeling...not necessarily true. Technique is important but not if it is not used to make real music. You never hear someone say...wow listen to Mozart's technique or his feel...but people will say...wow listen to that melody. In my live show I do a remake of the techno song "Blue"...dumb song...GREAT melody. I had a 70 yr. old man come up to me once and say what a great song that was... I can assure you it wasn't because of the technique or the feel. Technique and feel are more for the "player" melody is more for the listener and without listeners, there would be no need for players.
Who are some of your favorite players?
Wow, many...Rik Emmett, Vinnie Moore, Eric Johnson, Yngwie Malmsteen, Ritchie Blackmore, Randy Rhoads, Alex Lifeson, Steve Blaze, Al Dimeola, Peppino D'Agostino and Armik.
Do you teach guitar as well?
Yes...for just over 18 yrs. now.
What are some of your favorite moments from your career so far?
The 3rd time I met Rik Emmett, I got to talk one on one with him for over 2 hours...we were drawing out chord diagrams and stuff on a chalk board...it was like a private lesson. The Lita Ford audition was a definate cool thing. Having a song with my band Character as the pick hit of the week on national Z-rock back in the day was nice. Most recent would be the 1st time I heard "El Samuraichi" played on the radio...almost caused a car accident LOL. And just being lucky enough to meet all the people I have and learn from them.
