Author Archives: steviehimself

Ask any musician who inspired them to want to pick up a guitar/bass, a pair of sticks, a microphone, whatever…and undoubtedly you’ll hear the answer “The Beatles on Ed Sullivan”. But ask anyone who made them dream of being rock stars, and you’ll hear “Kiss”, “Led Zeppelin”, “Aerosmith”… If I knew then what I knowContinue reading “THIS BUSINESS OF MUSIC…”

Recently I did a Zoom interview with Evan Haga. He write blogs for Music & Arts (the store where I teach) as well as Premier Guitar. He wrote me via LinkedIn, and asked if I would be up for doing a Q&A about being a teacher. Sign me up! Those of you who wish toContinue reading “IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT”

Artists are a funny breed. We isolate ourselves while pouring over a new song, a painting, a novel, whatever. And then expect the rest of the world to love us and what we create. Is it a right or a privilege to be successful/famous? When we’re young, we’re undaunted and don’t give a damn aboutContinue reading “IS IT A RIGHT OR A PRIVILEGE?”

Take a good look at that screen shot. This is what it meant for me to be a musician. Living in the moment, playing awesome funky metal songs with two legends. One sadly left us this past March. I had it good and knew it then. Drummer TC Tolliver (hard to see in this pic)Continue reading “TEN YEARS GONE…”

Another gig in the books as my “tour” came off hiatus when Evie from Evolution asked me Thursday night via text: “Can you do a gig on 7.7 at In The Drink?” My car was packed anyway! This came out of left-field but fortunately I have the time to do fill-in gigs as needed. WeContinue reading “THREE MORE T-SHIRTS AND ANOTHER REMASTER…”

When you see this blog, it will be July 5. Why is that significant? Read on… Let me paint the back story for you in a nutshell: I was with another string company from 2017 until 2023. Over time I had grown a bit (well a lot) frustrated with lack of support. Another way ofContinue reading “STRUNG ALONG…”

Last night’s gig with Rock Hard at Bardi’s was off the rails! But what’s a gig without a Spinal Tap moment? Right before soundcheck, my footswitch broke. Under my foot! Went to tap on it and…nothing. The sound guy tried fixing it and said “It’s done, man.” So with some quick thinking, I pulled theContinue reading “THREE T-SHIRTS AND A BROKEN FOOTSWITCH”

The pic taken on the left was snapped by Eve Lina of Evolution (more about that gig in a bit). The pic on the right was pulled from the Ibanez website (more about that soon too!) My life seems to be turning around since Memorial Day weekend. Anyone who knows me (all three of you)Continue reading “HOT HOT HOT!”

First show of my “tour” started last night in Red Bank, NJ with the cover band Evolution. And what better way to kick the summer off than by playing at a cool room with the doors and windows open! And a kick-ass sunset behind us!! I hadn’t been to Red Bank in a few years.Continue reading “THE START OF A GOOD SUMMER!”

Gigs can happen at any time. Especially when I’m not looking. Story of my life. Last night I was asked by Eve of the band Evolution if I was available for a show next Saturday June 15. Once I got my schedule under control, I said “I’m in!” So now I have three shows betweenContinue reading “TO SEE AND BE SEEN”