What’s your full name and your stage name?
Wayne Schwartz
 

Birthday and your birthplace?
February 15. 1971 Kalamazoo, Michigan

When did you know you are inclined to music?
I knew I was inclined to music when I was three years old.

When did you start playing? Which instruments do you play? What was the first tune(s) you learned?

 I started playing guitar at age 14 because my dad encouraged me to play. I came from a musical family that liked to sing and play guitar, violin, piano, mandolin, drums, bass, etc. I play the guitar and bass but I can also play the mandolin, drums, and a little keyboard.

Describe your first instrument. Other instruments.

My main instrument is guitar of which I have been playing for 31 years.

Who helped you achieve learning your instrument of interest or who is your vocal coach? Who was your first teacher? Other teachers?

Well my dad was my biggest coach but I never had any lessons or anyone to motivate me to play and pursue the guitar seriously. I am all self-taught on the guitar.


Is your family musical?

Yes my family is musical on both sides. My dad's side sings and plays some instruments and my mom's side can play some banjo and guitar.

Describe your family member's musical interests and abilities.

My daughter plays guitar and my son dabbles with the drums a little bit and can play some guitar.

Which famous musicians do you admire? Why?

There are many but I admire Joe Satriani the most. He is my main influence since my high school days when I found out from a classmate his album Surfing With the Alien. I have followed Joe for his whole career and he continues to be a main influence in my own playing. I also admire many other guitar players such as Steve Vai, Phil Keaggy, Vinnie Moore, John Petrucci, Steve Morse, Gary Hoey, Blues Saraceno, Marty Friedman, Ty Tabor, Nuno Bettencourt, Eddie Van Halen, Guthrie Govan, Andy Timmons, Dave Weiner, Rob Balducci, Mick Jones, Paul Dean, Stu Hamm, and many others.

Which famous musicians have you learned from?

I have learned the most from Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.

What are your fondest musical memories? In your house? In your neighborhood or town?
My fondest musical memories are of listening to cassette tapes in my mom's Z28.  I used to listen to Foreigner 4, Boston, and Van Halen a lot.  I also remember listening to a lot of rock in roll in the house because my mom was a diehard rocker.  I listened from everything from Bob Seger to AC/DC.  It was always fun in school as well.  I have a lot of fond memories of singing songs in our music class like Olivia Newton John's song Physical and Joan Jett's I love rock and roll.  I also remember trying to start a band in middle school.  I also was surrounded with Gospel music and hymns in church which was really cool as well.  I had a very well-rounded musical palette.  My dad always had the oldies playing like the Beach Boys and the Beatles, Del Shannon, The Temptations, The Ventures, and many others.  He was a barber so it was fun sitting in his shop listening to tunes.  I would always dream of playing guitar on my own.  

Were you influenced by old records & tapes? Which ones?

Yes I was influenced by many bands both modern and old growing up such as Foreigner, Boston, Van Halen, Loverboy, The Outfield, Bob Seger, Extreme, Nazareth, AC/DC, Cat Stevens, Most 80's music, Beatles, Beach Boys, The Ventures, Dick Dale, Jimi Hendrix, Cream, Jeff Beck, you name it, I listened to it. I was also influenced a lot by Christian rock by a friend since I didn't know much about it. Groups like Deliverance, Saint, Messiah Prophet, Rez Band, PFR, Phil Keaggy, Shout, Tourniquet, Bloodgood, Bride, Neon Cross, Barren Cross, Jeff Scheetz, Lovewar, Larry Norman, Whiteheart, Petra, Lanny Cordola, Stryper, and many others.

Who are your favorite musicians? Groups? CD's?

Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Vinnie Moore, Steve Morse, Dream Theater, Eddie Van Halen, Gary Hoey, Marty Friedman, Andy Timmons, Kings X, Extreme, Nuno Bettencourt, Tourniquet, Phil Keaggy, and other instrumental guitar players.

What was you first original composition? What was it all about, lyrical message/content?
My first original composition was called Cloudwalk and it was an instrumental about walking on the clouds in heaven.

Have you been in competitions? Himig handog? Philpop? Or any other? Any prizes?
No, I have not really been in any competitions or won any prizes but I have played guitar in the Philippines for churces and some local clubs in Quezon City.  I also post a lot of videos of me playing guitar on YouTube especially covers and original music with some improvisation jams. 

Do you perform in public? Describe those occasions? Concerts, radio, TV guestings?
Yes, I perform a lot here on Guam at open mic nights, some hotels, festivals, at my school and work, in church, and coffee shops on Guam.  Most of the time it is for music festivals here on the island of Guam or for special events.  I even performed at some funerals because people love moving instrumental music.  I even did the national anthem while a guy jumped out of a parachute during Guam's Liberation Day celebration in 2013.  I have also performed live with my church as an outreach ministry and even at a nursing home to bring some joy to people that can't get out.  I am heavily involved with music ministry in my church with praise and worship and teaching youth music.

How do you handle mistakes during a performance?

 I smile and keep playing and try to nail the next note or song. You gotta let the crowd know that just because you made a mistake, you are still having fun playing your music. Everyone will make a mistake now and again especially if your music is difficult to play like mine is. You just have to shake it off and keep going. The show must go on!

Do you get nervous before a performance or a competition?

I used to but I don't anymore. I did get nervous when I played the national anthem in front of like 10000 people here on Guam! I suppose if I played in front of thousands, I would get nervous but I am sure I could handle it. I have been playing live for quite a few years now.

What’s you other job or music job you are offering?

I am a school math and science teacher at a high school here on Guam and I teach guitar as well.

What advice would you give to beginners or to those who wish to follow you music goals? To fellow indie artists?

 Practice, practice, practice, and then practice some more! Set goals such as how good you want to get on the instrument you are playing. Learn from others and play with people that are better than you so you grow. Play out as much as you can because you have to have it together when you are playing live. You need to be disciplined and never give up on your musical dreams and goals. Finally you have to get away from playing covers eventually and write your own original material to share to the world. There are many ways you can do that now through soundcloud, facebook, and other internet sources so that people can hear your music. I would also recommend learning how to record and release your own material as I have done. I have released two albums now. One was recorded in the Philippines and released last year called Beyond The Seen and I just finished my second album that will be released on July 29 worldwide. You can get both albums on iTunes, Amazon, or stream them on Spotify.

How do you balance your music with other obligations – family, friends, children, job?
Well I just pray to the Lord to help me with my priorities.  God is my number one priority then family, then work and music.  You have to get your priorities right and things will work out.  I don't have to practice as much as I used to when I was first starting out.  What took eight hours before on guitar only takes me about 15 minutes of practice now.  I really like focusing on composing and not so much practicing like I used to.  I like to improvise over jam tracks to get ideas or watch a new player on the internet or look at Guitar World or Guitar Player magazine to get new licks and riff ideas.  I usually play mostly on the weekends since I have off and prioritize my kids and family during the week.