Ok,its my turn………Influences,When I was twelve (about 100 yrs.ago)My Brother Bill joined the Air Force and left his guitar leaning against the wall behind the couch.Big Mistake!I took it over.I think he forgives me……….LOL.I remember hearing Chet Atkins,Merle Travis and Les Paul play guitar and deciding that that’s what I want to do.Everything else in life was just filler until I could play my guitar again.I wasn’t into country music but I loved this style of playing.I learned the basics and met Johnny G.who was soon to be my life’s best friend .We made our first recording when we were 15 yrs.old with Johnny’s brother inlaw singing like Ricky Nelson. Soon after I was playing Rock & Roll with a five piece band,guitar,bass,sax,organ and drums.We did the wedding band thing and then hit the bars.With fake ID of course.A far cry from Fingerstyle guitar but at least I was playing music.I learned to appreciate all guitar styles.Duane Eddy’s single note style,Lonnie Mack,Freddie King and BB King’s blues style and I can’t forget My brother Jim’s influence.He didn’t play guitar but he he kept the blues music going with Jimmy Reed,the most under rated bluesman,playing whenever possible.
This is the part where the music took a backseat for several years.Marriage,my son and my working carreer(Police officer)Who knew!
I didn’t play a lot but the fire was still burning.The Doobie brothers,Eagles and yes Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed.yup,That funky fingerstyle.
Well……..I retired and still love anything guitar.I’m making up for the years I didn’t play.I started playing the old standards, fingerstyle.It just seemed natural to me and everyone seems to like it.When I met Al it all fell into place.We are both on the same page,if you’ll pardon the pun.Al has the perfect voice to interpet all the great old standards and suprises you with great country vocals.To top it all off her Spanish heritage provides for the best latin music in the upper penninsula of Michigan.
Have fun and listen to more music,
Augie
