FENDERGUY + Musician in Andreas Village, IM

SEEKING

ABOUT

Hi there!

I’m Ray—59.9999 recurring years young (yes, the warranty’s still valid ... just), living out on the windswept Northern Plains of the Isle of Man (Paradise on Earth!).

I’m a seasoned lead/rhythm guitarist and singer/songwriter, on the lookout for anything bluesy / deep south / folky / countryish / bluegrassy / celtic / reggae-ish / ska-ish / newgrass-ish / covers / drunkards band to join, or fellow musical miscreants to collaborate with on all sorts of projects and mayhem!

My primary tastes run to southern rock, proper blues, acoustic rock, folk, Irish (including full-on “Diddly Aye”), celtic, and americana and a lot more besides. I play everything from Dylan to Dimebag to Dvorak and everything in between (and often at the same time! Badoom-Tsss - here all week!)

Truth be told, I’m fairly versatile—I’ll give any genre or tuning a go (I play lots of different tunings) and in the days before baldness set in I played professionally (meaning my guitar gently weeped—into my wallet).

I’m more than happy to explore new musical avenues and be experimental (emphasis on the mental), so long as we don’t wander too far into the “unclassified experimental soundscapes” section. Listing all my influences would take so long, War & Peace would be a brisk read in comparison.

What sets my fretboard alight?

The excitement of being part of an originals band where my style might actually make a difference. I’m flexible, open, and come with more gear than U2 doing a world tour (lets start with my 55 guitars!) —plus my own reliable wheels (no carrying amps on the bus for me).

I’m committed to regular rehearsals and showing up for gigs (I’m Old School—because old’s cool), and will always happily chip in for rehearsal space and related expenses.

While guitar’s my main “thang”, I’ve also been spotted fiddling with ukuleles, mandolins, bouzouki's, tenor guitars, gryphons, dulcimers, resonators and whatever other weird stringed things you might have lying about (and I have tons of these things at home - I probably have more stuff than Andertons or Thomanns!).

In a past life, I tickled the ivories too—think Elton John when he was four, but with more gusto than grace. I can throw in backing vocals and harmonies if required—just don’t ask me to yodel…again (Cleared the pub that night!).

Just to be clear: I’m not here for the money. Provide fuel and a beer, and I’m set (Unless. of course its an open session or charity thang then I am on my own dollar of course).

My true motivation is meaningful, fun music with like-minded souls. Need an electric or acoustic guitarist for a studio session or someone to chunk out chords on an acoustic? Or add a new perspective to your songs, I’m your man. I’ve plenty of recording experience (in some famous studios) and genuinely enjoy working on new projects.

If you’re hesitating because you think your band or project might not be “at my level”, please—don’t. I’m keen to help or support any project, at any stage. We all started somewhere (my first gig was mainly feedback and confusion), and I’m all about new sounds and ideas.

For anyone wondering about leadership—I don’t want to be the band boss. Did that for seven years with a 7 piece blues band that i created, earned the stripes, happy now to take orders and follow the cues.

I believe in respect, collaboration, clear communication, and keeping the music fun for everyone—band and audience alike—under the fearless leadership of…someone else (aka A. N. Other).

Oh, and I should mention: I come with a well-developed sense of humour (part survival instinct, part personality flaw) - some say I'm just mental (and they are probably right - but I am fun with it!). I fully expect to be ribbed when I inevitably cock something up—I’ll never lose my cool and, apparently, I’m quite pleasant to be around. As for my ego? Sold it on eBay years ago and pocketed a quid (a 99p profit over expectations).

So—band, solo artist, project, session, gig, production in need of strings, or simply another musical lunatic(s) seeking a collaborator— if you need some string work and want to know more, give me a shout. I’m up for any musical adventure, with anyone, anywhere on the island (especially if cold draught Guinness is involved!).

And if you are still reading then you really must be desperate / a nutter / in need of a cuddle / looking to play music / all of the above (delete as applicable).

Hope to groove with y'all soon!

EMAIL: me[AT]guitarplayer.im

Warm regards,

Ray (“The Sheriff”)

P.S. First round’s on me at the pub.

Let’s make some noise!

TRACKS BELOW
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The tracks provided are just some random ones where I played guitar (and other instruments) and where some of them I have also produced. Some of these are originals that I wrote and recorded in the UK or USA.

I also have a soundcloud page which showcases more tracks that played, wrote and/or produced (all three in some cases) some of this stuff was for TV/FILM.

https://soundcloud.com/ukmusicbox

Enjoy - and hope to session with you soon.

Screen name:

FENDERGUY

Member since:

Jun 20 2022

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:

4-5 nights a week

Most available:

Nights

Influences

Jackson Brown, John Mellencamp, Mark Knopfler, Paul Weller, BB King, Albert King, Freddie King, John Denver, John Mayer, Fleetwod Mac, Doobie Brothers, Eagles, Bottle Rockets, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, Jaco Pastorius (Bass), Little Big Town, Natalie Merchant, Janis Joplin, Carol King, Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix, Pink floyd, Ian Dury, Jean Michel Jarre, Walter Trout, ZZ Top, Robert Johnson, Charlie Christian, Eddie Vedder, Ahab, The Alarm, Springsteen, Chris Rea, Del Amitri, Human League, Jeff Healey, Nickel Creek, Nine Below Zero, Regina Spektor, Anything from the 1980's, Mary Black, The new Seekers, Seasick Steve, Ahab (Not the metal band), Natalie Merchant, Old Crow Medicine Show, Robyn Ford, Stephen Wilson Junior and many many many more!

if what you like isn't on this list - I probably like it anyway.

Here's A Spotify Playlist with some songs that I play now and would like to play in a duo / trio / band setting.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2P17cu2M4YHUEdOJpZRUo3?si=ff5fad47c8164ee4

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Lead Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Other:

Expert

Ukulele:

Expert

Vocalist:

Advanced

Vocalist - Tenor:

Advanced

Piano:

Advanced

Mandolin:

Advanced

Keyboard:

Moderate

Harmonica:

Moderate

Banjo:

Moderate

EQUIPMENT

GIGGING GUITARS (many more in collection)

Deusenberg TV Player Mike Campbell
Fender Custom Shop 57 Relic Stratocaster
Fender Custom Shop 1994 Aluminium Stratocaster
Fender USA Telecaster Deluxe
Fender USA Deluxe II Stratocaster
Fender Acoustasonic Jaguar
Fender 1973 Stratocaster
Fender 1996 TexMex Custom
Fender 1998 Anniversary Telecaster
Fender Meteora
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson SJ-200
Gretsch G5420T
Gretsch G5230
Line 6 James Tyler USA JTV65
Italia Maranello (ex Chris Rea)
Italia Mondial (ex Chris Rea)
Italia Modena (ex Chris Rea)
1960 Hagstrom S1
Hofner Handbuilt Verythin
Reverend Charger 290
Takamine G Series (E/Acoustic)
Tanglewood TWE47 (E/Acoustic)
Epiphone MasterBuilt Century Archtop
Epiphone MasterBuilt Zenith Archtop
Epiphone Emperor Swingster II
Epiphone 1972 12 String Acoustic
Epiphone Genesis Limited Edition
Orangewood Morgan Mahognay (E/Acoustic)
Cavahlo Handbuilt Irish Bouzouki
Veillete Gryphon
Barnes & Mullions BJ400E Banjo (E/Acoustic)

(I own 55+ Guitars + Amps, Mixers, Cabs, FRFR Speakers, Wireless Transmitters, Mic's and lorryloads more.

GIGGING AMPS

Fender Deville Deluxe 60WATT
Fender Blues Junior IV 15WATT
Positive Grid Spark 40 (x2) + Cab 140 (x2)
Positive Grid Spark Mini
Positive Grid Spark Nano
Positive Grid Spark Live
Positive Grid Spark 2
Lava Studio

FLOOR AND MONITORING

Headrush Prime Pedalboard
Headrush FRFR Cabinets
Helix XL
Helix Stadium
MOOER GS1000 Li

Sennheiswer Wireless system
Sennheiser In-Ear Monitors
Positive Grid Wireless System
Lekato Wireless System (x4)

Plus FX, floorboads etc etc

MUSIC