March 2006
18:30, Feb 5, 2006, Calgary, AB, Canada (No, I am not watching the Superbowl game)
"This is me writing my own bio - it's an autobio! There was a guitar behind the TV in my house when I was fourteen (1991). I don't know how it got there, or why... it was just there. I do recall always being attracted to guitars - not sexually - they always intrigued me and I always tried to play them when somebody had one. Perhaps it was the song "More Than Words" by Extreme that lulled me into learning to play? Within six months, after much consultation with chord guides and guitar tablature, I could play that song from start to finish. At some point, that first guitar returned to its owner, and I received my own guitar on my 15th (or was it 16th?) birthday. Thanks mom! Thanks Don!
"In 1995 I joined a band and we performed covers around Kelowna, BC, Canada. I was shy and unconfident, yet I had a great experience. After we separated, I became lost in years of university, and after that, years of corporate life. During these corporate years, I joined another band and performed some more covers in the city of Calgary, AB, Canada. This time I was less shy and more confident - nearly ten years later. It was at this time that a transformation began inside of me - I didn't realize it immediately.
"In 2005 I left the band and became involved in Calgary's acoustic open-mic scene. Corporate by day, and just my guitar and voice at night, I was beginning to discover what made me truly happy. There was something missing... travelling.
"I took my guitar to Australia in May, 2005, and proceeded to enjoy my life more than ever before. I became my music; my music became me. By the time I left Australia, I had performed around numerous campfires, in countless caravan parks and campgrounds, in lanes and on street corners, in cafes, in pubs, and even on regional radio! I met so many inspiring souls and, until I return, I will miss Australia.
"So who were my musical influences? It probably started with Metallica and Lynyrd Skynyrd, later shifting to various recordings from a myriad of artists including: Tom Petty “Wildflowers,” The Tea Party (any of their first 4 albums), and Hayden Desser “Everything I Long For.” I can't recall many of them this evening. In the past year or two I've been inspired by Aaron Young, Xavier Rudd, and Lester Quitzau. I dislike trying to determine who I sound similar to; I haven't heard any comments lately from listeners that would give me an idea - I can't seem to form an idea myself. I can say this: my music truly suits and satisfies me - it was conceived while following my heart!"
Jesse uses the K&K Pure Western: "This transducer system sounds awesome, even without a preamp between it and the mixing board. Tonight was the first night I leant my guitar to another while I sat in the audience... it sounds great. I recommend the Pure Western to anyone with a natural and warm sounding guitar. I am taking my guitar with me to Australia and am very excited about plugging this transducer into mixing boards in pubs and cafes 'down under'."
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