12 QUESTIONS WITH RICH SEVERSON
Can you give us a brief history of your
playing career?
I took piano lesson at age five through ten. At thirteen I started guitar lessons and played in rock bands throughout high school and college where I studied music. It was cool because I started making money right away as a musician by teaching, playing gigs and casuals with my college music professor and doing studio work. I gave lessons at Ernie Ball Guitar shop in Reseda, CA with Ted Greene who showed me a lot on our breaks. The owner there, Dale Zdenek, started a publishing company for Ted Greene’s books and I wrote 3 books for him as well. I also worked for Dale’s publishing as a screener/proofreader and read literally hundreds of guitar method books. I quit there to go on the road with the Dick Clark’s Good Old Rock and Roll Show backing up some popular acts from the 60’s. From 1988 -91, I had the privilege of teaching at GIT. Then in 1991 I decided to move out of the LA area and started Guitar Correspondence which evolved into Guitar College as we now know it. After moving I started playing in church and was a band director at a large church for about 7 years. I worked as the guitar instructor and directed the jazz band for a couple years at Fresno Pacific University. In 2000 we started to travel around to guitar shows, worship conferences and various events as a clinician, artist and vendor to promote out guitar College business. My latest venture is all download video guitar lessons available at 99centGuitarLessons.com.
What inspired you to start playing guitar?
Gene Autry was probably my very first influence on guitar. I remember him playing guitar, shooting a gun while riding a horse and always got the girl, who wouldn’t want that? I liked to watch Ricky Nelson with James Burton as a kid also. Later it was the Beach Boys, Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Beatles and The Yardbirds. In high school I got my first taste of jazz guitar, Wes Montgomery and Joe Pass, I’ve been hooked since.
What was your first electric guitar?
When I was thirteen I asked my mother for guitar lessons and then that Christmas she bought me a Telecaster and a Vibroverb amp, boy that was an exciting day.
What are your top 5 favorite records?
"Roll Over Beethoven" Chuck Berry
"Walk Don’t Run" The Ventures
"Purple Haze" Jimi Hendrix
"Gibson Boy" Tal Farlow
"Tear It Down" Wes Montgomery
"Lil Darlin" Joe Pass
I guess I have six favorites.
What was the proudest moment and/or performance
of your playing career?
Well, I always like to think my best work is still ahead of me but I am proud of a jazz CD I released a couple years ago called The Wes Side of Heaven featuring a song I wrote as tribute to Wes Montgomery. My buddy, Todd Johnson a world class bass player, and I along with drummer Gary Newmark, put together a nice CD in just a few hours, mostly on first takes. What a great experience!
How did you hear about Reverend?
I first met Joe Naylor at a Guitar Show about 10 years ago then I would see him several times a year at different shows. Always like him and his products.
What Reverend guitar(s) are you using?
The Pete Anderson model. I’m hoping for a jazz archtop in the near future.
What do you like about your Reverend guitar?
I like the looks, the playability and the value. Joe sells a quality guitar for an affordable price.
What amps and pedals do you currently use?
Boss GT3, 66 Deluxe Reverb & a custom Latvala handmade amp.
Do you have any unusual hobbies, skills,
or pastimes you'd like to share with us?
Most of my time is spent in the studio making new video lesson for my www.99centGuitarLessons.com website or recording. I also play locally in church and do anywhere from solo guitar gigs to a full orchestra.
Do you have any advice for up and coming
players?
Take the time to learn about music, understand theory and harmony, develop good technique and you will have the tools to play any style you choose.
Please tell us about any of your current
projects, tours, cds, etc. we should know about:
I am currently working on producing and arranging a smooth jazz CD with 60’s singer Chris Montez. Guitar College will be hostin two jazz guitar and bass workshops this year, one in Vegas and one in Yosemite. I perform locally with a variety of jazz/blues bands, play in church, write a regular article for Christian Musician Magazine and contribute occasionally to Just Jazz Guitar and add new lessons weekly to 99centGuitarLessons.com. In 2011 I’ll be back at many guitar shows and worship conferences across the U.S. Hope to meet you there!
