mywill818 + Musician in Lauderdale Lakes, FL

SEEKING

ABOUT

Do not touch the piano...
      Growing up in a family of musicians, but where children were told "do not touch the piano", only served to intensify my curiosity about music. While the adults played the piano and others sang along, you could usually find me on tip-toe at a window excitedly peeking in at all that fun activity.
.     As I got older. probably between 10 and 12 years old, I would make my way down to the neighborhood bar to see how the live musicians played the guitars.  I still had to peep through a window, but it was a treat to me.
      So when at 13 I met two brothers that played the guitar, they instantly became my best friends. I even moved in with their family as they taught me how to play.  I soaked it up like a sponge. In only a few short months we were making money serenading for the holidays. I played whatever guitar part that was required of me, -bass...rhythm...lead...and sometimes I played all of the parts at once.  I was hungry to learn, so I watched other musicians and copied what I liked.  Soon we were invited to provide music and entertainment for a fast-growing church that was new in town. The young people flocked to that church to see the hot new 'Temple-Aire  Strings'. They loved the bouncing bass man.  I guess my excitement came through in that bounce.  I was doing what I liked best.
      The years rolled by, and we all moved away in different directions.  I ended up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  I joined a group there and we played in the Atlantic City Casinos six days each week.  That was the most fun job that I have had.  Can't believe that I got paid real good to do what I love.  But again, the world kept turning, and others had to get on the way, so I moved from band to band, where musician and performers let their ego get in the way.  I wondered, 'Can't we all just get along?'.  I just wanted to play the music. I played most genres - gospel, reggae, country, R&B, etc, but I have.developed a special interest in blues and rock, which has really enhanced my guitar skills.
      Eventually, with a young family, I was forced to 'get a real job'. I still do the occasional freelance gig, or join any jam session that I can, but I always still wonder what would have happened if my family of musicians had held my hands and taught me to play the piano.  Who knows what would have happened?

Screen name:

mywill818

Member since:

Feb 04 2015

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Very Committed

Years playing music:

20

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Available to gig:

2-3 nights a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Jimi Hendricks, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:

Advanced

Lead Guitar:

Advanced

Acoustic Guitar:

Advanced

Bass Guitar:

Moderate

Background Singer:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

guitars, amp, effects, pa system, recording equipment

MUSIC