Here are the highlights from my own, personal Guitar Adventures
At the age of eight, in the small Southern Oregon town of Klamath Falls, I fell in love with music and took my first guitar lesson. Soon after, Dad moved us to Portland, I was able to display the work from those lessons to my family, peers and neighbors, and a few school talent shows. This gave me courage and encouragement – I wanted to be a guitar player.
When I was fourteen, I started my first band with some new friends at school who were like minded – we called the band Jade, which presented me opportunities to play for teen as well as adult audiences, no longer just family and peers. Jade expanded its personnel and scope, and became Monarch, and we covered many rock and pop songs of the time.
During those teen years I was given many opportunities to continue honing my skills on the guitar; one of the bands even toured overseas. This was a wonderful experience that I remember fondly to this day.
When I returned from overseas, I joined Vegas, a rock/funk/R&B dance band that played nearly every week for several years.
Then came college, where I majored in music and learned, from some really amazing teachers, that there was more to music than rock-n-roll and electric guitars. During those years I became proficient at classical guitar, and participated in several Masters classes with world class visiting celebrities; this experience enhanced all areas of my playing and future aspirations with instrument.
During the years following, I played and recorded with a variety of outstanding local and regional talent. Our Country project of the early 90s, All Night Cowboys, had the honor of opening for several national acts: John Michael Montgomery, Willy Nelson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Merle Haggard, Bachman Turner Overdrive, among others.
As with most players, we all have those masters who have influenced us greatly; who give us a reason to want to play. Here are a few that have inspired me personally:
Terry Kath, Ritchie Blackmore, George Benson, Joe Walsh, Billy Gibbons, Ted Nugent, Vince Gill, Robben Ford, Tommy Emanuel, Guthrie Govan, and others.
There are many more who I appreciate greatly – Steve Vai, EVH, Satriani, & Malmsteen…a pretty long list.
For the last ten years, I’ve had the honor of being lead guitar/vocalist for a band of wonderful musicians (and friends) known as One Brick Shy (onebrickshyband.com). We cover music from the seventies to present day, from such artists as Journey, Chicago, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Rolling Stones, and Steely Dan.
If you’re interested in learning to play, whether it’s rock; country or blues; or fingerpicking styles including a foundation in Classical guitar, get in touch and let’s talk!
Tim Woster - Guitarist - Mentor 