Eddie (DEF GAB C)

Name: Eddie
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a Malaysian bassist, composer and musician, most notably known for his bass guitar works with his current band "DEF GAB C". He is one of the most famous Malaysian bassist who plays 6 strings bass in a heavy rock genre.

History: He started playing guitar in his teens, but got bored because many of his friends knows how to play the instrument, so Eddie went on to try bass guitar, with his early influences such as, "Metallica", "Halloween" and "Deep Purple", he never look back ever since.

After many years practicing bass guitar, Eddie joined a small local band, which played for weddings, parties and eventually ended up in night clubs. While just started to play in clubs, his friends GG and Lola, recommended Eddie to use a 5 strings bass (due to the demand for Jazz music) and he accidentally bought a 6 strings bass, and ever since that day, the bass was his main axe for more then a decade.

In 1996, legendary guitarist Joe (Wings) discovered Eddie and his bandmates' talents in a local club in Kuala Lumpur. Joe met up with them and introduced them to the late legendary rock composer JS Kevin. The composer was amazed with the band performances and offered the band a record deal. Soon after the negotiations, JS Kevin renamed the band to "DEF GAB C", which carries the important 7 notes in music (D E F G A B C).

In 1997, "DEF GAB C" debut album, 'Citarasa' was released. It was one of the best rock album of the year, which consists hit songs, such as, 'Ibu Kota Cinta' and 'Tak Sanggup Lagi'. In 1999, the released of their second album, 'Skala', also went to the top charts with hits like, 'Cinta Sakti' and 'Ranjau Kasturi'.

Until now, Eddie and "DEF GAB C", has released 6 studio albums. The band, has won various awards, such as 'Best Rock Album' for the album 'Remifasolatido' and Anugerah Industri Musik ke 9', in 2002, to name a few. Currently, Eddie and "DEF GAB C" are busy preparing new materials and their are planning to go back to studio for the recording of their new album.

Influences: Metallica, Halloween, Deep Purple, YES, Flea (Red Hot Chili Pepper), John Myung (Dream Theater), John Patitucci, Kevin Moore, Marcus Miller, Jaco Pastorius and Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big)

Axology: Warwick bass - Streamer Bolt On II

Signature song(s): Maniq Kayangan - DEF GAB C (Merah, 2002)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI5m7mjWE7o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEsS5WZbYX0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8KYgjdSycE&feature=related

Fuzz Kmak (Disturbed)

Name: Steve Kmak
Born: 3rd September, 1970 (Covington, Kentucky, USA)

Profile: He is an American bass guitar player, best known for his work with the heavy metal band "Disturbed".

History: Fuzz started to play bass guitar when he was young and founded the band "Brawl" in 1996 with guitarist Dan Donegan and drummer Mike Wengren.

"Brawl" played small clubs in Chicago before singer David Draiman answered their ad, after which they changed the band name to "Disturbed". They then produced their first studio album 'The Sickness', released in 2000 and their second album 'Believe', released in 2002. Since the band's formation, they have sold over 11 million albums worldwide, making them one of the most successful rock bands in recent years. The band have charted on the Billboard 200.

In 2003, after finishing the 'Music as a Weapon II Tour', Fuzz left the band. He was replaced with John Moyer, who is the current bass player, and he usually use three or more amplifiers when playing in a concert.

Influences: Rush, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Ozzy Osbourne and Pantera

Axology: Music Man Sting Ray basses - 5-string

Signature song(s): The Game - Disturbed (The Sickness, 2000)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqT-WuyewMU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cOMiBy5q2w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYgkSnhJUyM

John Moyer (Soak/Disturbed)

Name: John Moyer
Born: 30th November, 1973 (El Paso, Texas, USA)

Profile: He is the current bassist and back up vocalist for the alternative metal band "Disturbed", replacing their former bassist Steve Kmak. Moyer also published "Disturbed's" albums; such as 'Ten Thousand Fists', 'Indestructible' and 'Asylum'. In addition to this, Moyer also works in partnership with Silver Tongue Management.

History: He started to play bass guitar in his teens, and Moyer was formerly part of the Texas hard rock act "The Union Underground". Prior to his stint in "The Union Underground", he was the bassist of the popular band "Soak", also hailing from Texas. He teaches at Natural Ear Music in Austin, Texas, where he works with a lot of young bands, which inspires him.

Moyer prefers picking over finger-style (he is still capable of playing finger-style) because it has a more aggressive feeling towards the style.

Moyer has a custom line with Traben bass company. He and the company produced his signature Traben Havoc. He also has custom amplifiers with Kustom featuring his own design printed on the front resembling a skull engulfed in flames.

Influences: (Texas hard rock bands)

Axology: Traben bass - signature series (Traben Havoc) and Kustom amplifiers

Signature song(s): Inside the Fire - Disturbed (Indestructible, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.disturbed1.com/ (Disturbed's Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfJC25nOSqE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9jBL2syJ8

Dan Donegan (Vandal/Disturbed)

Name: Dan Donegan
Born: 1st August, 1968 (Oak Lawn, Illinois, USA)

Profile: He is an American musician and guitarist for heavy metal band "Disturbed". Previously, Donegan was the guitarist of 80's hair style band, "Vandal".

History: Donegan began playing guitar as a teenager and eventually formed a band called "Vandal". Most of the solo in "Vandal" where his solos were shred guitar solos, but he would incorporate other techniques, which many consider his own style of playing.

Donegan is a self-taught guitarist. He uses one handed and two handed tapping in many of his solos, with pull-offs, legatos and hammer-ons, also sometimes using the 'flick off' technique, as used in the solo for the song 'Indestructible', and in others as well. His heavy riffs and sweep picking are seen in many music videos. He uses his DigiTech Dan Donegan, "The Weapon" for many effects in and out of his solo work. He also combines arpeggios with finger tapping and many other techniques. He is known for shredding in some songs and uses finger vibrato on occasion. He uses the whammy bar in many songs to give it a certain sound effect.

Disturbed's frontman David Draiman mentions, that Donegan can rip with the best of them, and he also added; Donegan is among the best in existence, and he does not give himself enough credit.

Recently, Donegan was added to the guitar show 'Chop Shop's' list of "Top 100 Most Complete Guitar Players of All Time" at #76.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Gibson Les Paul Standards, Gibson SGs, Paul Reed Smith guitar models, Washburn Guitars, Schecter Guitars, Mesa/Boogie Amplifiers, Randalls amplifiers, Marshall amplifiers and DigiTech effects (Dan Donegan, "The Weapon", that DigiTech made for him).

Signature song(s): Indestructible - Disturbed (Indestructible, 2008)

Link(s):

http://www.disturbed1.com/ (Disturbed's Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BU7LxcaCC4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXh5j6Z_-KQ

Suzzana Owiyo

Name: Suzanna Owiyo
Born: Unknown (Kasaye village, Nyakach, Kenya)

Profile: She is a Kenyan musician. A singer-songwriter, and Owiyo has been called as "the Tracy Chapman of Africa".

History: Owiyo was introduced to music at a tender age by her grandfather who was a prolific Nyatiti player.

In high school, she helped her school to win many trophies during the provincial and national music festivals. In 1998, after high school, Owiyo joined a Nairobi based singer Sally Oyugi as a backup vocalist, and 2 years later she parted ways with Sally to team up with a local band in Nairobi; "Bora Bora sound" and later on went back to sing in Kisumu. It was here that a young business entrepreneur with a keen ear for music spotted her talent and offered her, her first guitar. She then went back to Nairobi and undertook music lessons at the Kenya Conservatoire of Music.

It was while preparations were being made for the centennial celebrations of the city of Kisumu, that Owiyo was requested to compose a theme song for the opening ceremony. In front of a capacity crowd of 60,000 people 'Kisumu 100' was born and immediate success followed; a prolonged applause and a standing ovation.

Owiyo then decided to work on an album with Kenyan music producer Tedd Josiah. The album, which received great success on the radio, won her a nomination in the Kora Awards 2002 in the 'Most Promising Female Artist category'. The same album won her a Kisima Awards for the Most Promising Female Artist of 2003. Her new single 'Sandore' and the video clip with a powerful message on child labour was also a success.

In 2003, Owiyo represented her country at the Kenyan Festival in Paris, and in August the same year she represented East Africa at the Pan-African music Festival in Brazzaville where she sang alongside Youssou N’dour, Koffi Olomide and Rebecca Malope among other African greats.

In 2004, she performed at the Festival Mundial in Tilburg, Holland, and Owiyo beat a host of African artistes to clinch the single berth reserved for a female African artiste to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert, where she performed with her band, and also performed the song 'Imagine' with artistes such as Cyndi Lauper, Andrea Bocelli, Chris Botti, Patti Labelle and Baba Maal.

In 2007, Owiyo was part of the Divas of The Nile supergroup, that featured four Kenyan female musicians. The others were Mercy Myra, Achieng Abura and Princess Jully. The group performed at the Festival Mundial. In 2008, she performed at the Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in London and performed again at the WOMEX festival. She is among the Kenyan artistes who have been sponsored by the Alliance Française in Nairobi.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Acoustic guitar and other traditional African instruments

Signature song(s): Sandore - Suzzana Owiyo (2002)

Link(s):

http://www.suzannaowiyo.net/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvwUXbp7S5g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIpvI8D_dco

Michael Franks

Name: Michael Franks
Born: 18th September, 1944 (La Jolla, California, USA)

Profile: He is an American smooth jazz singer and songwriter. Franks has recorded with a Who's Who of artists, such as Patti Austin, Brenda Russell, Art Garfunkel, and David Sanborn. His songs have been recorded by "The Manhattan Transfer", Patti Labelle, Carmen McRae, Diana Krall, Shirley Bassey and "The Carpenters".

History: Although no one in Franks family played music, his parents loved swing music and his early influences included Nat King Cole and Johnny Mercer. At age 14, he bought his first guitar (a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included - the only music education that he received).

At University High in Irvine, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA he discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Miles Davis, and he never studied music in college.

During this time he started writing songs, starting with the anti-war musical Anthems in E-flat starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films 'Count Your Bullets', 'Cockfighter', and 'Zandy's Bride'. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded 3 of Franks' songs, including 'White Boy Lost in the Blues', on their album 'Sonny & Brownie'. Michael played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring.

In 1973, Franks recorded an eponymous album (later reissued as 'Previously Unavailable'), which included the minor hit 'Can't Seem to Shake this Rock 'n Roll'. In 1976, he released his second album 'The Art of Tea', beginning a long relationship with WB Music, the album featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton and Wilton Felder (The Crusaders) and included the hit song 'Popsicle Toes'.

Franks' third album, 'Sleeping Gypsy', which includes the song 'The Lady Wants to Know', was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando first gave Franks what would become a signature instrument - a cabasa - to play on stage for songs he didn't play guitar on. His 1978 album, 'Burchfield Nines', which includes the song 'When the Cookie Jar is Empty', reflects Franks move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, he has recorded more than 15 albums.

His best known works include 'When I Give My Love To You', 'Popsicle Toes', 'Monkey See', 'Monkey Do', 'Tiger in the Rain', 'Rainy Night in Tokyo', and 'Tell Me All About It'. His biggest hit came in 1983 with 'When Sly Calls (Don't Touch That Phone)', from the album 'Passionfruit'. Radio hits include 'Your Secret's Safe With Me' from the 1985 album 'Skin Dive', and 'Island Life' from 1987's 'The Camera Never Lies'.

Influences: Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Johnny Mercer

Axology: Unknown

Signature song(s): Can't Seem to Shake this Rock 'n Roll - Michael Franks (Previously Unavailable, 1973)

Link(s):

http://www.michaelfranks.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPWA9N10tRQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDb6X7-Y6RY

Sony (J-Rocks)

Name: Sony Ismail Robbayani
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is an Indonesian musician, better known for his guitar works in his current band, "J-Rocks" as a lead guitarist. He was known in the local guitar community since his band "J-RockStar" won a TV talent show - Nescafe Get Started in 2004.

History: Sony started to play guitar in his teens, mostly self-taught. Ever since he learned how to pick a guitar, he wanted to be a professional musician/guitarist as his idol; guitarist virtuoso Steve Vai and the legendary Jimi Hendrix.

In 2001, Sony went for an audition as a guitarist for a local band named, "Funky Kopral" (now known as "Funkop"), this is where he met up with future vocalist Iman, who gave Sony an idea to formed a Japanese genre band with him. Wima (bass) and Anton (drum) joined soon after, and "J-RockStar" was officially formed in 2003.

In 2004, "J-RockStar" (JRS) entered a TV musical talent show called 'Nescafe Get Started'. The band won at first place followed with two other great bands; "B-Five" and "Cool Khas". On the grand final concert of the talent show, "JRS" performed an adaptation music from Japanese rock band, "L'Arc~en~Ciel".

Soon after the talent show, "JRS" was offered a contract for a studio album under Aquarius Musik label, and their name was shortened from "J-RockStar" to "J-Rocks". Their debut, 'Topeng Sahabat' was released in 2005 and was sold for 450,000 copies only in Indonesia. The debut album was followed with two more albums, 'Spirit' (2007) and 'Road To Abbey' (2009). Though, Sony is still new in the music industry, he has impressively gain a lots of fans.

Influences: L'Arc~en~Ciel, Muse, Alicia Keys, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Pepper, Siti Nurhaliza and Steve Vai

Axology: Marlique Deluxe series guitar, PRS guitar - SE Camouflage, Fender Telecaster, Radix guitars and Carvin Amplifiers

Signature song(s): Kau Curi Lagi - J-Rocks featuring Prisa (Spirit, 2007)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_C05v1nYY0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T-4d2ihp1Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWzpnYc9ib0&feature=related

Rusty Cooley (Revolution/Outworld)

Name: Rusty Cooley
Born: Unknown

Profile: He is a self-taught American guitarist who influenced by many styles including Jazz, Classical, Funk, Blues and even Country. His guitar works can be heard in his previous and current band such as "Revolution", "Dominion" and "Outworld", respectively.

History: Cooley received his first guitar on his 15th birthday (a Peavey T27 guitar and a Peavey Decade amp) from that day on he immersed himself in music, practicing upwards of 4 hours a day. Unsatisfied with local Instructors, he began teaching himself through instructional books and videos.

During high school, young Cooley took music theory classes and also attended the National Guitar Workshop. He performed solo guitar in high school talent shows and performed such pieces as Van Halen’s 'Eruption' and Randy Rhoads 'Revelation Mother Earth' solos. During his senior year, he was offered his first teaching job at the same store, where he had bought his first guitar.

After graduating from High School, Cooley continued studying Music Theory at the local college, as well as Music History and Class Piano. In 1989, he joined the local rock band "Revolution", the band wrote, performed and recorded all original music. They became one of Houston’s top drawing bands, and opened for national acts like "Badlands", "Nitro", "Every Mothers Nightmare", and "South Gang".

In 1992, "Revolution" released a four-song EP. "Revolution’s" music was once described as "Skid Row" meets Yngwie Malmsteen. The band made two appearances on a local TV show called 'Metallurgy' and 'Metallurgy Unplugged'. Cooley also taught guitar on a college TV show called 'Stay Tuned'. In 1993, he quit the band and started a new band called "Dominion", this new band wrote and performed locally as well but was short lived and broke up in 1995. Also, during 1995 he entered and won the 'Guitar Master Series' winning the title of 'Best Guitarist' in Houston.

In 1996, marked the beginning of a new direction, Cooley bought his first 7-string guitar and decided it was time to go for it on his own. It was during this period that he began to work on instrumental guitar compositions. These songs represented his desire to record an over-the-top guitar instrumental release featuring state of the art chops and strong melodic content. He also hosted 3 episodes of a local cable show called 'World Class Guitar Techniques', which aired in the Houston area.

In 2000, Cooley released an instructional CD 'Shred Guitar Manifesto' and gained endorsements with Jackson Guitars and Seymour Duncan pickups, and started doing guitar clinics as well. In 2001, he released two more instructional CD 'Extreme Pentatonics' and 'The Art of Picking'. Soon after, Cooley was asked to headline Jemfest in Orlando, Florida in 2002. Late that year, he had a custom 8 string guitar hand made by Bill Conklin of Conklin guitars.

In 2003, Cooley was given the honor of the '7th Fastest Shredder of all Time' in Guitar One Magazine, and not wanting to be known for shred skills alone, he and Bobby Williamson formed "Outworld", recorded its self-titled debut which was released in 2006 to both critical and artist acclaim. With the success of "Outworld’s" debut, and increasing notoriety in guitar circles, Cooley garnered a significant number of endorsements with Dean Guitars, EMG pickups and Diamond Amplification. In 2007, "Outworld" won 10,000 in a Famecast contest similar to American Idol where viewers watched and voted for the favorite artist.

Influences: Randy Rhoads, Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Jason Becker, Paul Gilbert, Allan Holdsworth, Paganini, Bach, Steve Vai, Gary Moore, Tony MacAlpine, Marty Friedman, Shawn Lane, Derek Taylor, Buckethead, Todd Duane, Scott Stine and Haji’s Kitchen and Ritchie Kotzen

Axology: Jackson guitars, Dean Rusty Cooley signature series guitar - the RC7 Xenocide and Diamond Amplifiers

Signature song(s): Under the Influence - Rusty Cooley (Rusty Cooley, 2003)

Link(s):

http://www.rustycooley.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lL3RJ4B349o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6frmbC3pdTs&feature=related

Anastasia Bardina

Name: Anastasia Bardina
Born: Unknown

Profile: She is a Russian classical guitarist and graduated from the Russian Academy of Music. Bardina is the only virtuoso guitarist in Russia who plays both the 7-string Russian guitar and the 6-string Classical guitar. She also plays the 12-string GRAN Guitar (Guitar Russian Acoustically New) which is similar to a Classical guitar but has six light steel strings and six nylon strings with the steel strings lower in relation to the soundboard.

History: Her interest in music started when she was still young, and Bardina joined the Gnessin Russian Academy of Music (class of Professor A. Frauchi), just to pursue her dreams to be a classical musician.

After her graduation, Bardina is actively participating in numerous Russian and International Festivals. She always has enormous success with her solo concerts in countries such as Hungary, Poland, Austria, Cuba, Czech Republic, China, Mongolia, Latvia, Estonia, Belorussia and Ukraine.

Although she is not well-known in the West, Anastasia Bardina is one of the best classical guitar players in the world. In every of her concerts, she can be seen using his trademark 7-string classical guitar, though this instrument has been forgotten during several of decades. However, during the last several years, Russian and foreign musicians got highly interested with this instrument and therefore Bardina's concerts became especially valuable.

Bardina also perfectly plays six-string guitars and in her concerts she combines the masterpieces of world guitar art and the unique repertoire of Russian classics, which she tenderly saved and now shares with the audience. Today, Bardina is the constant member of jury on International and Russian competitions.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: 7-strings Russian guitar and the 12-strings GRAN guitar

Signature song(s): The Moth - Anastasia Bardina (GRAN-d Surprise, 1996)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdlYEoIMMp8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N80lAebLVrA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwppSHGZuXY&feature=related

"Harmony is the best word to describe the creative look of Anastasia Bardina" - World of Guitar Magazine.

Rosli Mohalim (Sweet Charity)

Name: Rosli Mohalim
Born: 30th September, 1954 (Singapore)

Profile: He is a Singaporean musician, composer and a self-taught guitarist, better known for his guitar works in the 1970's legendary rock group "Sweet Charity" (AKA Singapore's "Deep Purple"). Other then music, Rosli also appreciate fine arts, he graduated from Nanyang Academy Singapore - Fine Arts in 1975.

History: He started to take an interest in music since primary school, from the influence of his brother, his brother was a music lover who always organized bands in the 60's, and every time there was a jammed session, Rosli will come along and play around with the drums. After he finished Primary 6, his brother bought him an acoustic Rossini guitar. Though Rosli did not have any interest in guitar at the time but he learn and developed some of his techniques from a friend named Fadhlin, and bought his first electric guitar when he was just starting his secondary school.

In 1970, Rosli joined a band called "Purple Grass" - which covered mostly "Deep Purple's" songs. After he graduated from school in 1975, he joined a band called "Sugar N Spice" which played mostly on clubs, this period was the era of funk and disco music, and Rosli at the time played bass guitar for the band.

In 1976, frontman Ramli Sarip and guitarist A. Ali of "Sweet Charity", met up with Rosli and asked him to joined "Sweet Charity" as a bass player replacing Wahid Warren. Ramli was very interested on how Rosli played his bass in one of the clubs where Rosli performed, but after guitarist A. Ali left the band, Rosli step up to take the guitar work and told Ramli to look for a new bassist (Rosli was replaced by the late Syed Hassan).

In 1978, "Sweet Charity" debut album was released, and it was the starting era of Rock & Roll in both Singapore and Malaysia. Followed by their second album, in 1980, 'Pelarian', this album consists of two legendary songs, such as; 'Musibah' and 'Zakiah'. Rosli and "Sweet Charity" managed to released 6 more albums until the late 80's, and did a reunion in 1996, with the original line-ups. Today, he is still in the music industry and is one of the high demand session for solo artists, both in Singapore and Malaysia.

Influences: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Santana and Grand Funk

Axology: Fender Stratocaster guitar with Floyd Rose Tremolo

Signature song(s): Teratai - Sweet Charity and Kamelia - Sweet Charity (both songs are from - Koleksi Sweet Charity, 1984)

Link(s):

http://roslimohalimfriends.blogspot.com/ (Rosli's blog)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzeE3IU-XTw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B4iD3en5GU&feature=related

Link Wray

Name: Frederick Lincoln Wray Jr.
Born/Died: 2nd May, 1929 (Dunn, North Carolina, USA) - 5th November, 2005

Profile: He was an American rock and roll guitarist, songwriter and occasional singer. Wray was noted for pioneering a new sound for electric guitars, as exemplified in his hit 1958 instrumental 'Rumble', which pioneered an overdriven, distorted electric guitar sound, and also for having, 'invented the power chord, the major modus operandi of modern rock guitarist', 'punk' and 'heavy rock'.

History: At age 8, young Wray first heard slide guitar from a traveling carnival worker, an African-American man named 'Hambone', he got interested with the instrument and learned how to play it. In his early years, Wray was a veteran of the Korean war, where he contracted tuberculosis (TB) that ultimately cost him a lung. His doctors told him that he would never sing again. So he concentrated on his heavy guitar work. Despite this, on his rare vocal numbers he displays a strong voice and a range equivalent to Clarence 'Frogman' Henry.

After discharge from the Army, Wray and his brothers Doug and Vernon Wray, with friends Shorty Horton and Dixie Neal, formed "Lucky Wray and the Lazy Pine Wranglers", later known as "Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch Hands". They had been playing country music and Western swing for several years when they took a gig as the house band on the daily live TV show Milt Grant's House Party, a Washington, DC version of American Bandstand. The band made their first recordings in 1956 as "Lucky Wray and the Palomino Ranch Hands" for Starday Records.

In 1958, at a live gig of the Milt Grant's House Party, attempting—at the urging of the local crowd—to work up a cover sound-alike for "The Diamonds" hit, 'The Stroll', they came up with an eleven and one half bar blues titled 'Rumble'. The song was an instant hit with the live audience, which demanded four repeats that night. Eventually the song came to the attention of record producer Archie Bleyer, and he wanted the song to be recorded. The song became a huge hit, not only in the US, but also Great Britain, where it has been cited as an influence on "The Kinks", "The Who" and Jimmy Page among others.

In 1960, he performed an instrumental song composed by Jerry Lordan, called 'Apache' which became a hit in the UK for "The Shadows". Wray later recorded one of the better covers of the song 30 years later, somehow finding new life in this mythic, minor-key, guitar/drum dialogue which by then was also associated with everyone from "The Ventures" to the "Incredible Bongo Band". And with the band they had several more hard-rocking instrumental hits in the late 50's and early 60's, including 'Rawhide', 'Ace of Spades', and 'Jack the Ripper'.

After his initial hits, Wray's career had periods of retirement followed by renewed popularity, particularly in Europe. He toured and recorded two albums with retro-rockabilly artist Robert Gordon in the late 70's. The 80's to the 90's saw a large number of reissues as well as new material. Wray's last new recording was in 2000, titled 'Barbed Wire', he even continued to tour up until four months before he died.

In 2003, Link Wray was ranked at #67 in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all time, but still has not yet been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is, however, a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender Stratocaster and Gibson SG

Signature song(s): Rumble - Link Wray and his Ray Men (1958)

Link(s):

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/LinkWrayTribute.html (Tribute Page)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEUBV8qPZhw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVfmLFWDnYA&feature=related

Don Alder (Spinal Chord)

Name: Don Alder
Born: 1956 (Williams Lake, British Columbia, Canada)

Profile: He is a Canadian acoustic fingerstyle guitarist with a passion that has quickly earned him a reputation as Vancouver's 'best kept little secret'. Alder is a world-class fingerstyle guitarist that has let to multiple endorsement deals with major manufacturers and a collaboration with Greenfield guitars to produce a signature acoustic guitar- the "Don Alder G4" model.

History: At the age of 14, young Alder was ill for few months which kept him out of school. His mother gave him his first guitar to help him stayed at home and rest, he learned the intro of 'Satisfaction' and then put the guitar to rest.

At some point, when Alder saw the movie 'Woodstock' he was totally blown away by Alvin Lee and the very cool instrumental piece played by Jimi Hendrix at the end of the movie. He then began playing electric guitar (a Simpson Sears electric deluxe) for some time until he met a guy that knew how to fingerpick, and taught him the basics. His first gig was at school with a loud band called "Arsus Myth".

In 1985, Alder put his music career on hold to assist his lifelong friend, Rick Hansen, with his quest to create awareness for the potential of people with disabilities and to generate funds for spinal cord research. The World Tour, inspired millions of people throughout the 34 countries visited and raised 26 million dollars. Today, Alder still works with Rick in a vital role at the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation, and says he got involved with the Foundation to 'help make a difference' in improving the quality of life of others and now continues to do so with his music.

In the early 90's, Alder was mostly playing guitar as a hobby and was heavily involved in Wheelchair Sports. The World Tour developed Alder's wheelchair tech skills which he continued to hone post Tour. This evolved to the point where he was chosen to represent Canada as the Equipment Manager/Wheelchair Tech for the Canadian Paralympic Team in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney Australia, 2000. During that time he met Sam Sullivan and Dave Symington, both quadriplegics from accidents. Sam and Dave both musicians, founded the Vancouver Adapted Music Society. Alder became the guitarist for the society's, performance band "Spinal Chord". They released a CD title 'Why Be Normal' which received national airplay, and released the video 'Mary'.

Alder has won various awards in first place such as; International Fingerstyle Championships Winfield, Kansas (2007), Vancouver Folk Slam (2004), Vancouver Guitar Show "Shred Contest" (2004) and Best 30-second Guitar Solo Contest - Acidplanet.com (2005) and many more.

Today, Alder continues to play to Canadian, American, European, and Asian audiences, sharing stages with Grand Master Acousticians such as Peter Finger, Jacques Stotzem, Bob Evans, Andy Mckee, and Masa Sumide, John Parr, Ellen McElwaine, Cassius Khan. He has also performed at festivals as a headliner which included artists such as Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Del Vazeau, Ric Emmet, Dave Martone.

Influences: Jimi Hendrix, Alvin Lee, Brian May (Queen), Wishbone Ash, Bruce Cockburn, Frank Zappa, Uriah Heep and "Black Sabbath"

Axology: Greenfield Don Alder - G4 signature model, Custom Warmoth Strat, Music Man Albert Lee model, Godin guitar, Fender Stratocaster 1979 and Yamaha guitars

Signature song(s): A Little Charm - Don Alder (Don Alder - Cool Compilation)

Link(s):

http://www.donalder.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vocEYP0NsI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJi-W2p1iEQ

"Alder can make a single instrument sound like a 4 piece band. The Guy's like the acoustic Hendrix" - Picque News Magazine

Janick Gers (Gillan/Iron Maiden)

Name: Janick Robert Gers
Born: 27th January 1957 (Hartlepool, England)

Profile: He is an English musician, best known for his work with "Gillan" and as one of three current guitarists in "Iron Maiden" and a songwriter for the band.

History: Gers started to play guitar after the influence of "Deep Purple's" lead guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, and wanted to start his own band ever since. Though he is left handed, he tried to play guitar right handed as his guitar hero and even played a Fender Strat guitar and used a lot of Pentatonic and Blues scales.

In the late 70's, Gers was the lead guitarist of the band "White Spirit" before joining "Gillan" (early in the 80's), a group formed by former "Deep Purple" vocalist Ian Gillan. After "Gillan" disbanded, he joined "Gogmagog" which included former "Iron Maiden" vocalist Paul Di'Anno and drummer Clive Burr, in 1985 and released an EP 'I Will Be There'. Gers also performed with other artists including former "Marillion" vocalist Fish.

In 1990, he played guitar on the first solo album of "Iron Maiden" vocalist Bruce Dickinson, 'Tattooed Millionaire'. During the recording of the album, he was asked to join "Iron Maiden" in place of departing guitarist Adrian Smith. He has remained with the band ever since, even after Smith rejoined the band in 1999.

Gers' playing style uses heavy distortion and is noted for having a very raw tone. He prefers staccato picking instead of playing legato using hammer-ons and pull-offs.

Influences: Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple), Jeff Beck and Rory Gallagher

Axology: Fender Stratocaster, Gibson Chet Atkins semi-acoustic model and Marshall 9200 amplifiers

Signature song(s): Holy Smoke - Iron Maiden (No Prayer for the Dying, 1990) and Lord of the Flies - Iron Maiden (The X Factor, 1995)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxfLW9oN9-k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ2urYZcoyo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZLWZEfd3lU

Patti Smith (Blue Öyster Cult)

Name: Patricia Lee Smith
Born: 30th December, 1946 (Chicago, Illinois, USA)

Profile: She is an American singer-songwriter, poet and visual artist, who became a highly influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 début album 'Horses', and was called the 'Godmother of Punk', she integrated the beat poetry performance style with three-chord rock. Smith's most widely known song is 'Because the Night', which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen and reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978.

History: As a young girl, she got interested in music in an early stage, and in 1969 she went to Paris with her sister and started busking and doing performance art. When she returned to New York in the early 70's, she spent most of her time painting, writing, and performing.

Smith was briefly considered for the lead singer position in "Blue Öyster Cult". She contributed lyrics to several of the band's songs, including 'Debbie Denise', 'Fire of Unknown Origin' and 'Shooting Shark'. During these years, Smith also wrote rock journalism, some of which was published in Rolling Stone magazine and Creem magazine.

By 1974, Smith was performing rock music herself, initially with guitarist and rock archivist Lenny Kaye, and later with a full band comprising Kaye, Ivan Kral (bass), Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) and Richard Sohl (piano), and named the band as "Patti Smith Group" or "PSG". Financed by Sam Wagstaff, the band recorded a first single, 'Hey Joe/Piss Factory' in 1974.

In 1975, "PSG" was signed by Arista Records, and released their first album 'Horses'. The album fused punk rock and spoken poetry and begins with a cover of Van Morrison's 'Gloria'. As the popularity of punk rock grew, "PSG" toured the US and Europe. The rawer sound of the group's second album, 'Radio Ethiopia', reflected this, and several of its songs from the second album have stood the test of time, and Smith still performs them regularly in concert.

Through most of the 80's, Smith was in semi-retirement from music, but in 1988, she released the album 'Dream of Life', which included the song 'People Have the Power'. In 1994, Smith faced the unexpected death of her brother Todd and "PSG" original keyboard player Richard Sohl. After the impact of these deaths, her friend Michael Stipe (REM) urged her to go back out on the road, and she toured briefly with Bob Dylan in 1995.

In 1996, Smith worked with her long-time colleagues to record 'Gone Again', featuring 'About a Boy', a tribute to Kurt Cobain (Nirvana). Smith was a fan of Cobain, but was more angered than saddened by his death. That same year she collaborated with "Stipe" on 'E-Bow the Letter', and a song on "REM"s 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi', which she has also performed live with the band. After release of 'Gone Again', Smith had recorded two new albums: 'Peace and Noise' in 1997 and Gung Ho in 2000.

In 2005, Smith was named a 'Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' by the French Ministry of Culture. In addition to her influence on rock music, the Minister also noted Smith's appreciation of Arthur Rimbaud. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She dedicated her award to the memory of her late husband, Fred, and gave a performance of "The Rolling Stones" staple 'Gimme Shelter'. As the closing number of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Smith's 'People Have the Power' was used for the big celebrity jam that always ends the program.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender guitars

Signature song(s): Gloria - Patti Smith (Horses, 1975)

Link(s):

http://www.pattismith.net/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3coSfks4rQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cppyn-u3Djw&feature=related

Erros Candra (Sheila On 7/Jagostu)

Name: Eross Candra
Born: 3rd July, 1979 (Yogyakarta, Indonesia)

Profile: He is an Indonesian multi-talented musician, composer and guitarist, better known for his guitar work in "Sheila On 7" or (So7).

History: Erros was born in a musical background families, his mother was a singer, his grandfather was a saxophonist and his uncle was a professional guitar player. Since elementary school, he was exposed to the music industry by accompanied his mother to band practice in their home studio, since then he was so interested in guitar and wanted to learn more about the instrument. He got his first acoustic Kawasaki guitar on his 14th birthday from his dad (which he still kept), and started to learn classical guitar from his uncle named Rus.

In 1995, in 3rd grade junior high school, he joined in a band, but it did not last long because one of his band mates moved to the city, and the band was disbanded. While in high school, Eross was invited to joined "Dizzy band' with Icha and Adhit Jikustik, and it was at this time that his old man bought Erros his first electric guitar. In 1996, Eross acquainted with Sakti, Anton, Adam and Duta. After they went a lot of jamming together, "Sheila Gank" was finally formed on May, 1996. The band had followed 'Festival Band DIY in Yogyakarta and got first prize, and both Eross and Adam won the prize as 'The Best Guitarist' and 'The Best Bassist', respectively.

In 1998, "Sheila Gank" had the opportunity to offer demos of their songs to Sony Music Indonesia, and change the band's name to "Sheila On 7" ('Sheila' is derived from the Celtic meaning of music and 'On 7' was taken from the seven scales in music), and their debut album hit the charts and made "So7" as the new Best Indie band in Indonesia.

With "So7", Eross became the most active songwriter in this band, he also composed songs for Memes, Rio Febrian and Tasya, and both the soundtrack for the movie '30 Hari Mencari Cinta' and 'Soe Hok Gie'. In addition to "So7", Eross is also busy with his new project band, "Jagostu". However, he made sure that his new band will not interfere with the existence and integrity of the band who made him as one of the best guitarist in Indonesia.

Influences: Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), KISS, Europe and God Bless

Axology: Fender Telecaster and Kawasaki acoustic guitar

Signature song(s): Sephia - Sheila on 7 (Sheila on 7, 1999) and Berhenti Berharap - Sheila on 7 (OST - 30 Hari Mencari Cinta)

Link(s):

http://www.sheilaon7.com/ (Official Sheila on 7 website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3eh6Q-mxI4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW0k2JkScgs

José Feliciano

Name: José Montserrate Feliciano García
Born: 10th September, 1945 (Lares, Puerto Rico)

Profile: He is a blind Puerto Rican singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer, known for many international hits including the 1970 holiday single "Feliz Navidad".

History: Feliciano was born blind because of congenital glaucoma. He was first exposed to music at age 3. When he was 9, he played on the Teatro Puerto Rico. He started his musical life playing accordion until his grandfather gave him a guitar. He reportedly sat by himself in his room for up to 14 hours a day to listen to 50's rock albums, classical guitarists such as Andrés Segovia, and jazz players such as Wes Montgomery. He later had classical lessons with Harold Morris who earlier had been a student with Segovia.

At 17, he quit school to play in clubs, having his first professional, contracted performance in Detroit. In 1963, after some live performances in pubs and clubs around the USA, where he played at the same time as Bob Dylan, he was signed at RCA Victor.

In 1964, he released his first single 'Everybody Do the Click'. Later, in 1965 and 1966, he also released his first albums 'The Voice and Guitar of Jose Feliciano' and 'A Bag Full of Soul', two folk-pop-soul albums that showcased his talent on radio across the USA, where he was described as a '10 finger wizard'. He also was invited to the Newport Jazz festival in 1964.

After two more successful albums, Feliciano, now a household name all over Latin America, moved to LA. He got together with Rick Jarrard and they recorded "The Doors" song 'Light My Fire' in a Latin style and when released as a single, it reached #3 on the US pop charts in 1968. It sold over a million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. He immediately became a sensation all across North America, selling millions of albums and followed up his success with another top 20 hit in the US with his version of 'Hi-Heel Sneakers', again recorded with a Latin feel. On the strength of this success he won 2 Grammy Awards for Best New Artist Of The Year and for Best Pop Song Of The Year in 1969.

In 1970, he wrote and released an album of Christmas music, 'Felíz Navidad', which may be deemed to be his most famous recording. The title song has been covered by many artists and is now a traditional part of the musical landscape in the US, Canada and Latin America around Christmas time. Each year during the Christmas season, 'Feliz Navidad' returns to US airwaves, one of the most-played and most-downloaded radio songs and downloaded songs of the season. 'Feliz Navidad' is also recognized by ASCAP as one of the 25 all-time most-played Christmas songs in the world.

Feliciano holds the distinction of being one of the few singers to have enjoyed success both in Spanish language music and in English language rock & roll. He won 5 consecutive awards for best pop guitarist from Guitar Player magazine and was voted in jazz, classic and rock fields. He received a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1987, and continued as a very popular singer during the 80's. He also has a star in the Walk of Fame of his native Puerto Rico.

In 1987, he also had a great hit in Austria with the song 'The Sound of Vienna', at #1 for four weeks and recorded with the famous Vienna Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra also performed with him live on national television at Danube Park in Vienna before more than 60,000 people. During the 80's, record companies gave him space made only for the Latin market, and he recorded an impressive number of albums for that market, including the Motown albums 'Escenas de Amor' and 'Me Enamoré', as well as others from RCA, EMI, and Capitol which added four more Grammys for best Latin performer.

In 2006, Feliciano's new Spanish album, 'José Feliciano y amigos' was released by Universal Records, featuring Feliciano joined in duets with many other Latin American stars including Marc Anthony and Gloria Estefan, to name a few. In 2007, Feliciano released an album called 'Soundtrack of My Life', the first English-language album composed and written by him.

In 2010, Feliciano performed his rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' again at Comerica Park in Detroit. This was part of the remembrance of Detroit Tigers radio announcer the late Ernie Harwell. He played it similarly to how he did back in 1968; with his acoustic guitar and in his slow tempo-ed, latin jazz style.

Influences: Andrés Segovia and Wes Montgomery

Axology: Unknown

Signature song(s): Feliz Navidad - José Feliciano (1970)

Link(s):

http://www.josefeliciano.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgIC6KOFySk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKIrqC2QUvg

Buck Owens

Name: Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. (aka Corky Jones)
Born/Died: 12th August, 1929 (Sherman, Texas, USA) – 25th March, 2006

Profile: He was an American singer and guitarist (better known as Buck Owens), who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, "The Buckaroos". They pioneered what came to be called the Bakersfield sound - a reference to Bakersfield, California, the city Owens called home and from which he drew inspiration for what he preferred to call American music.

History: The name 'Buck' was a donkey on the Owens farm, in Texas, when Alvis, Jr., was 3 or 4 years old, he walked into the house and announced that his name was also Buck. That was fine with the family; and young Alvis was Buck from then on. While living in the farm, Buck who was in his teens started to have an interest in music, mainly; pedal steel guitar, and started to learn more about music.

In 1945, Owens co-hosted a radio show called Buck and Britt. Soon, Owens was frequently traveling to Hollywood for session recording jobs at Capitol Records, playing backup for Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sonny James, Wanda Jackson, Del Reeves, Tommy Sands, Tommy Collins, Faron Young and Gene Vincent.

Owens recorded a rockabilly record called 'Hot Dog' for the Pep label, using the pseudonym Corky Jones because he did not want the fact he recorded a rock n' roll tune to hurt his country music career, but sometime in the 50's, he joined the Dusty Rhodes band as a singer. His career took off in 1959, when his song 'Second Fiddle' hit #24 on the Billboard country chart, followed by 'Under Your Spell Again' at #4 and 'Above and Beyond' at #3.

In the early 60's, the countrypolitan sound was popular, with smooth, string-laden, pop-influenced styles used by Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Patsy Cline, among others. Owens went against the trend, utilizing honky tonk hillbilly feel, mixed idiosyncratically with the Mexican polkas he had heard on border radio stations while growing up. And in 1963, the single 'Act Naturally' became Owens and the Buckaroos' first #1 hit. "The Beatles" later recorded a cover of it in 1965, with Ringo Starr as lead singer (Starr later re-recorded the song as a duet with Owens in 1988).

In 1972, Owens and the Buckaroos finally had another #1 hit, 'Made in Japan', and he added pedal steel guitarist, Jerry Brightman. The band had been without pedal steel since late in 1969, and Owens returned to his grass roots sound of fiddle, steel, and electric guitars releasing a string of singles including 'Arms Full of Empty' and 'Ain't it Amazing Gracie'.

In late 70's, Owens established Buck Owens Enterprises and produced records by several artists. He recorded for Warner Bros. Records and left the TV series Hee Haw in 1986, after 24 seasons. Owens was named the Most Promising Country and Western Singer of 1960 by Billboard.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Fender guitars

Signature song(s): Act Naturally - Buck Owens and the Buckaroos

Link(s):

http://www.buckowens.com/index2.html (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOpgL4mqEis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSY-IF6pI2g

Paco de Lucía (Paco de Lucía Sextet)

Name: Francisco Sánchez Gómez
Born: 21st December, 1947 (Algeciras, Cádiz, Spain)

Profile: He is a Spanish composer and guitarist. Recognized as a virtuoso flamenco guitarist all over the world, he is a leading proponent of the Modern Flamenco style, and is one of the very few flamenco guitarists who has also successfully crossed over into other genres of music. Paco enjoys, and has been a successful musician in, many styles such as classical, jazz and world music. He is the winner of the 2004 Prince of Asturias Awards in Arts and in 2010 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Berklee College of Music in Boston.

History: Born in a musical family, his father was flamenco guitarist Antonio Sánchez, brother of flamenco singer Pepe de Lucía and flamenco guitarist Ramón de Algeciras. At age 11, Paco made his first public appearance on Radio Algeciras, and a year later was awarded a special prize in the Jerez flamenco competition.

In 1961, he toured with the flamenco troupe of dancer José Greco, Three years later, he met Madrid guitarist Ricardo Modrego with whom he recorded 3 albums: 'Dos guitarras flamencas', 'Dos guitarras flamencas en stereo', and 'Doce canciones de Federico García Lorca para guitarra'. Between 1968 and 1977, he enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with fellow New Flamenco singer Camarón de la Isla. The two recorded 10 albums together. His 1976 album, 'Almoraima' was a success and featured notable tracks such as 'Almoraima' and 'Río Ancho', the latter track of which has been covered by other guitarists such as Al Di Meola.

In 1979, Paco, John McLaughlin, and Larry Coryell formed "The Guitar Trio" and together made a brief tour of Europe and released a video recorded at London's Royal Albert Hall entitled Meeting of Spirits. Coryell was later replaced by Al Di Meola, and since 1981, the trio has recorded 3 albums. Paco's own band, the Paco de Lucía Sextet (which includes his brothers Ramón and Pepe) released the first of its three albums that same year. He has released several albums encompassing both traditional and modern flamenco styles.

In 1995, he recorded with Bryan Adams the hit song and video 'Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman' on the soundtrack for the movie Don Juan DeMarco. Through his wide discography he has advanced the technical and musical boundaries of his instrument. The University of Cadiz recognized Paco's musical and cultural contributions by conferring on him the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in 2007.

Influences: Antonio Sánchez (father)

Axology: Almeria classical guitars

Signature song(s): Almoraima - Paco de Lucía (Almoraima, 1976)

Link(s):

http://www.pacodelucia.com/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cadbYIzhqQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TmxfHbd-M0

Shah (Exists/Slam)

Name: Shah Nizam Abdul Halim
Born: Unknown (Kg. Bakar Batu, Johor Bahru, Malaysia)

Profile: He is a Malaysian multi-talented musician, composer, producer, singer and an actor. He is notably known for his works as a guitarist in most of Malaysian top and legendary bands such as "Exists", "Search" and he was the founder of "Slam".

History: He started to play guitar in his early teens, and while still in high-school, Shah joined the 'all-teens band', "Exists" in 1990. This band was the starting point for his career as a professional guitarist. The band was a successful hits in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, with the single 'Oh! Ibu'.

After "Exists" second album, Shah left the band and met up with guitarist Ajak, bassist Lili and drummer Man, together they planned to form a new band, with the help of legendary composer Saari Amri. Zamani (vocalist) was the last to joined them, and by 1993, "Slam" was officially formed.

In the mid 90's, Shah and "Slam" released hits songs such as 'Tak Mungkin Berpaling', 'Mentari Muncul Lagi' and 'Gerimis Mengundang'. After Zamani left the band in the late 90's, Shah was already one of the high in-demand sessionist, he even produced "Slam" last album, 'Selamanya...' with 80% of the songs was composed and written by him.

In 1999, Shah joined Malaysian favorite rock band, "Search", after replacing the band's long time guitarist Kid (Search). With the band, Shah as the lead guitarist only collaborated in one album, 'Selepas Banjir'. He left the band in 2000, and tried to reunite back with "Slam" as a singer and guitarist.

Currently, Shah still works in the music industry as a session guitarist and producer. He even produced the Indie band "Sunday" back in 2003 and have worked with various artist for live performances and albums.

Influences: Joe Satriani

Axology: Fender Stratocaster

Signature song(s): Mentari Muncul Lagi (Unplugged) - Slam (Konsert Unplugged, 1997) and Kejoraku Bersatu - Search (Selepas Banjir, 1999)

Link(s):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxrhdq5Hgko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-bTC7obVo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jvq2bveSyc

Roy Clark (Million Dollar Band)

Name: Roy Linwood Clark
Born: 15th April, 1933 (Meherrin, Virginia, USA)

Profile: He is an American country music musician and performer. He is best known for hosting Hee Haw, a nationally televised country variety show, from 1969 to 1992. He is an entertainer most of all, with an amiable personality and a telegenic presence. He is highly regarded as both a guitarist and banjo player, and is also skilled in classical guitar as well as playing several other instruments.

History: At the age of 14, Young Clark began playing banjo, guitar, and mandolin. He won two National Banjo Championships by the age of 15. He was simultaneously pursuing a sporting career, first as a baseball player, and then as a boxer, before switching over to music full time. At the age of 17, he had his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. By the time he was 15 he had already won the world banjo/guitar flatpick championship twice.

By 1955, he was a regular on Jimmy Dean's Washington, DC television program, where Clark played on Dean's band, the "Texas Wildcats". In 1960, Clark went out to Las Vegas where he worked as guitarist in a band led by former West Coast Western Swing bandleader-comedian Hank Penny. During the 60's, he was also prominent in the backing band for Wanda Jackson during the latter part of her rockabilly period.

When Dean was tapped to host The Tonight Show in the early 60's, he asked Clark to appear, introducing him to a national audience for the first time. Subsequently, Clark appeared on The Beverly Hillbillies as a recurring character. Once, on an episode of the Sunday evening Jackie Gleason Show dedicated to country music, Clark played a blistering rendition of 'Down Home'. Later, he even appeared on an episode of The Odd Couple where he played 'Malagueña'.

In 1963, Clark signed to Capitol Records and had three top 10 hits. He switched to Dot Records and again scored hits. He later recorded for ABC Records, which had acquired Dot, and MCA Records, which absorbed the ABC label. In 1969, Clark and Buck Owens were the hosts of Hee Haw. The show was dropped by CBS Television in 1971 but continued to run in syndication for 20 more years. During its tenure, Clark was a member of the "Million Dollar Band".

In 1983, Clark opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre in Branson, Missouri, becoming the first country music star to have his own venue there, and beginning a trend which led to Branson becoming a center of live music performance, as it is today. Many of the celebrities who have played in Branson first entertained at the Roy Clark Celebrity Theatre. Clark frequently played in Branson during the 80's and 90's. He has since sold the venue and gone back to a fairly light touring schedule, which usually includes a performance with Ramona Jones and the Jones Family Band at their annual tribute to Clark's old Hee Haw co-star Grandpa Jones in Mountain View, Arkansas.

In addition to his musical skill, Clark has often displayed his talents as a comedian and actor. During his years on Hee Haw, Clark entertained with numerous comedy sketches, including a recurring feature where he played the clerk of the 'Empty Arms Hotel'. Clark released several albums of his comedic performances, to varying critical acclaim and commercial success.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Mosrite guitars, Gretsch guitars and Heritage guitars - Roy Clark model

Signature song(s): Yesterday, When I Was Young - Roy Clark

Link(s):

http://www.royclark.org/ (Official website)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6x-DCbaC3k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqnU83wPmfc