SEEKING
Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Violin, Harmonica, Flute, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, Dobro, Steel guitar, Upright bass.ABOUT
One instrument, one voice. I have usually played alone,with no special effects. However, a little gentle percussion, some violin, perhaps some harmony...who knows?
- Screen name:
- JamStew
- Member since:
- Dec 11 2008
- Active over 1 month ago
- Level of commitment:
- Committed
- Years playing music:
- 50
- Gigs played:
- Over 100
- Tend to practice:
- More than 3 times per week
- Available to gig:
- 6-7 nights a week
Influences
The grandchild and great-grandchild of Vaudville performers, the son of a big-band trumpeter, a child of radio's transition from crooners to rock'n'roll, I grew up listening to an eclectic musical mix. "The Dorsey Brother's" band was a must see on television, but so were "Country Hoedown" and "Don Messer's Jubillee" where I was introduced to the guitar stylings and original compositions of Gordon Lightfoot and Gene McLellan, and the powerful voices of Anne Murray and Gordy Tapp. the folk-revivalists were in full voice, so the radio was full of the sounds of the Kingston Trio, Ian and Sylvia ,The Travellers and the like. My Mother's favourites were the likes of Bing Crosby and Dean Martin. Perry Como, sitting on a stool and wearing a turtle neck sweater in contrast to the suit and tie look common on TV in those days,and singing songs from every genre, was one of my favourits. The first time I had a solo gig, (how long ago!)I tried for that look.
I began performing in the sixties, busking in Toronto's Yorkville Village. I also played bass guitar for a weekend blues and rock band in the Newmarket/Uxbridge area, performing original tunes. I always gave the audience an "acoustic break" between sets, sitting with my classical Giannini while the rest of the bannd took a break. I performed part-time through the seventies and eighties (although five and even six nighters were normal...not very "part-time"). Gigs were shorter and the money poorer after that, so I played less professionally. Disheartened by the attitudes of venue owners and with less time for evening gigs, I have performed little since the nineties. I still practise daily, and still love the stage. After at least four generations , I guess that is in the blood.
EQUIPMENT
I use six and 12 string Ovation Balladeers ( both early seventies) on stage, with a fender Acoustasonic amp for small rooms, or rental gear for halls or out-doors. Other instruments, for arm-chair noodling only, include four and five sting banjos, a c1936 Regal/National wooden body Dobro,an autoharp and a Fender six string for around the campfire, plus several more.
