I started off with percussion at like five years old. I come from a fairly musical family. I took formal classical guitar lessons from the age of 11 until about the age of 18. After that, I'd still take the opportunity to study from skilled guitarists, though much less formally. I'd also give lessons, eventually giving lessons to what I'd have to call a 'masterclass' when I matured and was 20ish years into it. I didn't really want to be a classical guitarist - but that was the requirement from my parents who were to buy my equipment and pay for my lessons. I wanted to be a rock star, not a classical guitarist. I regret nothing, because those classical skills have led to me being able to learn any style of guitar I've wanted to learn. My first band was a horrible affair at the age of 16. Oddly, we managed to get a recording contract. That was horrible. We toured down the east coast so that the studio could see how well we could draw a crowd. We then trekked across the country to Los Angeles. That went down really poorly. If you've heard *Needle And The Damage Done* then you've kinda heard our story. While we'd actually go to the studio to record, we never laid down a single track. Suffice to say, they canceled our contract and wanted all their money back. Money was sorely lacking and I actually had to get financial help from my parents to return to the east coast and join the United States Marine Corps.