michael412430 + Musician in Hemel Hempstead, EN

SEEKING

ABOUT

I started playing guitar in 1976 main influences back then were based in folk and country; Paul Simon, John Denver, James Taylor Cat Stevens etc . . .
I won a Ralph McTell album in a raffle which proved to be a turning point for me both in terms of my guitar playing and songwriting.
I played mainly in folk clubs and did the odd small gig with just an acoustic guitar.

I moved to London in 1980 joined the underground busking community. Under my stage name "Mike Lee" I was a regular at "Bunjies" folk cellar and played there every night (my home from home) After a few yrs i graduated into Covent garden from there i played gigs in pubs & clubs all over the UK
Alongside all this i did write my own material and performed on the London folk club scene doing a couple of prestigious support gigs

Whilst in Covent Garden i discovered Dire Straits and my musical tastes gradually changed from folk to rock. I was listening to Pink Floyd, Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson and others. I gradually stopped playing introverted folk songs and began to develop into a performer playing to massive crowds making lots of money and generally having a whale of a time

I taught myself to play piano and added electric guitar and drum machine to my lineup teaching myself to play lead guitar (with a little help from my good mate Russ Shipton) These days im revisiting music after a small lay off

Ive devoted many years to studying Mark Knopfler, his playing style really did expand my musical horizons and opened up the fretboard tremendously.
I chased McTells sound by buying Gibsons and Knopflers sound by getting Fenders and amps

Im currently chasing John Mayers sound . . .

Im currently recording in my DAW (studio One) some tracks for my you tube channel

Screen name:

michael412430

Member since:

Apr 01 2022

Active over 1 month ago

Level of commitment:

Moderately Committed

Years playing music:

40

Gigs played:

Over 100

Tend to practice:

2-3 times per week

Influences

Ralph McTell, Paul Simon, John Martyn, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Eric Clapton, Roger Waters, John Mayer.

Instrument experience:

Rhythm Guitar:

Expert

Acoustic Guitar:

Expert

Lead Guitar:

Advanced

Vocalist:

Moderate

Vocalist - Baritone:

Moderate

Keyboard:

Intermediate

Piano:

Intermediate

EQUIPMENT

Fender Classic vibe strat
Fender 100 champion amp various pedals
Freshman acoustic
Studio One DAW
Keystation 49 Midi keyboard

MUSIC