News & Updates

Music really is magic. It has this strange, beautiful ability to connect people without a single word being spoken. I’ve felt that my whole life, but I’ve mostly felt it standing shoulder to shoulder with other musicians. I’ve always been a band guy. Whether rehearsing. on stage or in the studio. For me, a huge part of the joy of making music has been the collaboration—the push and pull, the listening, the moments where someone else’s idea changes the direction of a song. There’s nothing quite like locking in with a drummer, finding a pocket with a bass player, or trading phrases with another guitarist and feeling the whole thing lift off the ground. That shared energy is addictive. So when I was approached to play solo instrumental guitar as part of the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular Tour later this year, my first reaction was excitement… quickly followed by a healthy dose of terror. Solo is different. There’s no safety net. No rhythm section to lean on, no cues exchanged with a glance across the stage. Every note, every pause, every dynamic choice is on you. It’s just you, the guitar, and the room. That’s confronting—but it’s also kind of thrilling. Stepping out of your comfort zone is funny like that. You don’t always choose it; sometimes it taps you on the shoulder and politely dares you to say yes. This invitation felt exactly like that. A challenge. An opportunity to strip things back and really focus on the essence of why I play in the first place. When you’re playing solo instrumental music, the guitar has to do everything. It becomes rhythm, melody, harmony, and emotion all at once. There’s nowhere to hide, but there’s also a new kind of freedom. You can let a note ring a little longer. You can lean into silence. You can tell a story without lyrics and trust the listener to meet you there. Preparing for this tour has reminded me that growth as a musician often comes from discomfort. The moments that scare you a bit are usually the ones that matter most. They force you to listen more deeply—to yourself, to the instrument, and to the space you’re playing in. And while I’ll always love playing in bands, this experience has given me a new appreciation for the quiet power of solo performance. It’s intimate. It’s honest. It’s vulnerable. In some ways, it feels like having a conversation where the guitar does the talking and I just guide it along. At the end of the day, that’s the magic of music for me. Whether it’s a roaring band on a loud stage or a single acoustic guitar in a quiet room, it’s still about connection. About emotion. About sharing something real. So yes—I’ll be well and truly stepping outside my comfort zone on the Acoustic Guitar Spectacular Tour.  But I’m leaning into it. Because sometimes the magic lives just on the other side of fear. 🎸✨