Adgardad + Musician in Nevada, IA

ABOUT

I started out my musical life in 1972 as a 5-string banjo player. I later took up the mandolin and then eventually her cousin the fiddle. Circumstances sort of nudged me into the world of the electric lead guitar sometime in the 1980s. It's now my instrument of choice, though I do still love to play them all. (Banjo is still pretty cool!)
I’ve gotten to know a lot of great people over the years and have been a part of some pretty exceptional musical events. One of the best experiences has been witnessing my children taking their own first steps into a life fueled by a passion for music.
I am retired from a career teaching K-12 visual art, and I've turned to pursuing music full time now. I began teaching at the Guitar Center in Des Moines in the fall of 2020, and I love what I do there immensely.
I continue to play sporadically with my family in a traditional bluegrass/country/folk setting. I play most Sundays with my wife in the Nevada UMC Praise Team band, and I play guitar and sing in the VIVACE classic rock band out of Ames.
Retirement is busier than ever and I am not looking to add any new projects right now.

Screen name:

Adgardad

Member since:

Mar 18 2011

Active within 1 week

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

50

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

More than 3 times per week

Available to gig:

1 night a week

Most available:

Mornings

Influences

Truly too many to list. Here are a few of my favorites though:
Newgrass Revival, Mark O'Connor, Tony Rice, Jerry Douglas, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Thile, Merle Travis, Vassar Clements, David Grisman, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, Larry Carlton, Martin Miller.
That just barely scratches the surface. I really am influenced by intense, intelligent, improvisational instrumentalists. I love soulful, heart felt, virtuosic musicians of any genre.

Instrument experience:

Lead Guitar:

Advanced

Banjo:

Advanced

Vocalist - Tenor:

Moderate

Acoustic Guitar:

Moderate

Background Singer:

Moderate

Mandolin:

Intermediate

Fiddle:

Intermediate

Dobro:

Beginner

EQUIPMENT

1974 Gibson RB-250 Mastertone 5-String Banjo.
1981 Epiphone Masterbilt MM-50 F-Style Mandolin.
2004 Crafter ML-Bubinga 30th Anniversary Moonlight Acoustic/Electric Guitar.
1989 Epiphone Les Paul Guitar.
2003 Ibanez S470DXNF Electric Guitar.
2015 Epiphone ES-339 Semi-Hollow Body Electric Guitar.
"No-Name" 5-String Acoustic/Electric Fiddle.
Catalyst 200w 2x12 amp.
Digitech RP1000 processor, assorted pedals.

MUSIC