Page 27 - SPIRE SEP_DEC 2023 7th Issue Digital

You're a man on the road these days,
Tell us about the first instance that you were I understand that when you were eight years meeting new fans and saying hello to your
inspired to pick up a guitar. Was there a old, you were in the audience of a Buddy Guy old. The experience of touring can be
specific artist that sparked you? Was your concert. Buddy is known for bringing young grueling: hours and hours of travel, truck
excitement from listening to CD’s and/or guitarists onstage and he invited you to play. stop food and hotels. Is this a difficult
watching musicians on video? However, this instance was different. When process for you or does it all melt away
you played, you sparked something in Buddy; when you hit the stage?
I first picked up a guitar at 3 years old. My
parents were listening to mostly classic rock he saw a special guitarist and ultimately It seems to all melt away when I step on
music, so I was just always around music. The became your mentor. There is even a stage. I will say, touring is not for everyone.
Beatles were the first band that really made documentary, The Torch that covers the It’s a big reason why a lot of musicians love
me want to sing and play guitar. I remember an relationship you both have. Please let our session work and playing on records. A lot
uncle giving me the Beatles Number One’s readers know about that first day playing less travel and it’s more sustainable in some
album and I immediately was drawn to it, with him and your continuing relationship. ways. I’ve chosen the path of being a road
because of their harmonies and the songs just I first heard Buddy play at Eric Clapton’s warrior. I’ve been at it for about 10 years
being so good. I was obsessed with everything Crossroads festival, the first one in 2004. My now and it feels even longer in some ways.
Beatles early on, which really drove me to end dad had bought me the DVD and I watched it It wears on you, it certainly can make
up doing music professionally and not just as over and over. There was just something about relationships hard to keep together, but
an occasional hobby. Buddy, not only his guitar playing but his you find ways to do it and to keep your
mannerisms onstage. He had such a way about mental and physical health healthy.
him with his showmanship and the way he had
"I’LL FOREVER BE a crowd in the palm of his hands within 30
seconds. It was mind blowing for a 7 year old to
GRATEFUL FOR watch. When I met him, he was as sweet as
could be. A gentle spirit really. He made me
feel at home immediately. I got to play the last
BUDDY’S half hour of his show that night in my
hometown of New Bedford, MA, which of
course changed my life in many ways. I had no PHOTO CREDIT: DENISE MACCAFERRI
CONTRIBUTION TO idea at that moment that he’d end up becoming
a mentor to me, bringing me on tour with him You’ve recorded several records and it sounds
like you’re pretty comfortable in the studio.
ME AND BELIEF IN across the world, but for the next decade to Bring us through your first time walking into a
follow, that’s what he did. It’s a big reason why
I’m able to tour on my own now as a solo artist. studio, your excitement, concerns and what Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and B.B. King
ME AS AN ARTIST." I’ll forever be grateful for Buddy’s contribution you learned that you still may apply today. I are a few of the people that you have
know that you’ve had a producer involved;
shared the stage with. Each of them have a
to me and belief in me as an artist.
how have they inspired you or changed your very different and commanding sound.
That fateful day when you put the guitar on thoughts on playing? What have you learned about your playing
for the first time, did you begin to play by ear Buddy Guy, Quinn & Eric Clapton at the A studio setting feels much different from by watching them up close and personal?
or were lessons involved? How long did it take Howlin' for Hubert show at the Apollo Theater playing live. For me, I love both for different Who gave you words of inspiration?
you to refine your playing to where you truly in NY City. Circa APR 2012 reasons, I can’t really pick which one I love What all of them have in common is they’re
were a guitarist?
more, because they’re both that much different all such melodic players. I’m the biggest fan
I’d say a mix of both. I always had really good from each other. When I first walked into a of melody and melodic guitar playing. I try
ears. I think I have perfect pitch. For me, studio, it was in 2011, in Nashville. I was to emulate those guys you mentioned
lessons came when I was around 5 years old. I’d making my first album at the time and I didn’t because they are truly three of my favorite
go to my guitar teacher once a week and he’d really know anything about recording and what players. I just try and watch what they do
teach me basic chords. I remember walking went into it. As I’ve gotten older and the more and incorporate it into what I’m doing on
into a lesson once and asking him if I could you do it, the more you learn about studios, my own. Carlos has probably given me the
learn Blackbird by the Beatles. His face was recording and ultimately producing. I’ve gotten best words of inspiration. He always says to
surprised probably because that was a tall to work with some incredibly talented people “expand your portfolio and your rolodex
order from a 5 year old that was just beginning in my life. They’ve left marks on me as a and not be a one trick pony.” To me that
to play. He taught it to me and a week or two creative on and off the stage. I think when I’m stands out because he’s saying to not just
later I was playing it pretty well. The guitar was in the studio, I’m a lot more reserved with my be one kind of thing, be open to other
always something tha t I just connected with. It guitar playing. When nobody is watching me, I styles, have an imagination, build on your
hit me in a deep way and it always just felt seem to feel more focused and relaxed and I influences but don’t just stop at them.
natural to me. can really go for intricate stuff in the studio. Listen to as much as possible and don’t put
Live, you have one shot to give it your best, so I a lid on what you do. That’s my mantra of
Scan QR - Code to watch QUINN perform tend to go a little harder live for that reason. being an artist.
"Why Does Love Got To Be So Sad" live on the
Spire’s Stage!