Featured Artist: Sean Ashe


 
 

Sean with his Guardian Angel Player

Anderson Artist Sean Ashe (b. June 30, 1993) is a guitarist, solo artist, songwriter/producer, and educator from the USA who has always found himself immersed in a world of creativity.

After finding his niche for guitar at 13, Sean dedicated his teenage years to honing his skills on the fretboard.  Utilizing emerging platforms like Youtube, Sean taught himself about the elements of composition, music theory, and audio production.

Sean eventually used those same platforms to upload his own videos, and soon began attracting an audience.  After several years of session work, teaching, and playing locally in the Chicagoland area, Sean shifted his focus towards a solo career.

Sean with his T Icon

January 2016 saw the release of Sean’s long anticipated debut album, Flux. Flux was written, recorded, mixed, and published by Sean. To date, Flux has garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews, surpassing over a million streams and selling several thousand copies.

Following the success of Flux, Sean moved to the West Coast and began materializing ideas for a second album.

The first taste of his sophomore album came with the release of the singles “Ocean” (2021) and ”Tangerine Dream” (2022). Stay tuned for more music, and for the release of his new album in Q1 of 2023.

See www.seanashemusic.com for lots more about Sean. Also, check out Sean's Angel as featured in Guitar Tales!

And… Check out Sean’s latest music video, premiering Friday, August 8th:

 
 

Gear Profile

Guitars:

Icon Classic in Satin Ocean Turquoise

Guardian Angel Player in Jawbreaker (Custom Paint)

T Icon in Tangerine Pearl

Amplification and Effects:

• Mesa Boogie Mark Series

• Fractal Audio Effects


 

Videos

Sean with his T Icon and Icon Classic

Sean Ashe plays a Li’l Angel

 
 

Featured Artist: Jason Kui


 

Jason with one of his Angels, in Super natural Key Lime Burst

Anderson Artist Jason Kui is a Virginia-based rock, funk and instrumental guitar player, composer and producer.

Kui started his career as a session and touring musician at age 21. He has played for several arena-sized world tours, including concerts at Madison Square Garden and MGM Grand in Las Vegas. In 2017, Kui was signed by a LA-based label, Prosthetic Records. They released his debut guitar instrumental album, Absence of Words, featuring Anup Sastry on drums, and the blues giant Josh Smith on one of the tracks.

Following the success of Absence of Words, his second album, NAKA, was released in 2020. NAKA is a diverse guitar instrumental album, which also featured several guitar virtuosos, such as Andy James, Tom Quayle and Andy Timmons and a host of incredible backing musicians lending a hand.

Jason entertaining at the Anderson booth, NAMM 2017

In 2021, Kui released a new single, Sky Rush, and has other recording projects underway.

Once travel restrictions are lifted, expect to see Jason back on tour and look out for new music too! Check out and follow Jason’s instagram to keep up with all things Kui: instagram.com/jkui/

And stay tuned for lot’s more Anderson x Kui collaborations!

 

 
 

Videos:

 
 

Featured Artist: Andy Sorenson


 
 

Photo: Aaron Matthews

Andy is a guitarist, producer, and composer based in Hartford, CT. As a founding member of the band Atlas Gray, he has toured with legendary guitarist Albert Lee (Head, Hands & Feet, Emmylou Harris, The Everly Brothers, Joe Cocker, Eric Clapton), Denny Laine (Paul McCartney, Wings, The Moody Blues), and renowned producer and manager Peter Asher (James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt, Peter & Gordon). Andy recently produced and engineered Atlas Gray's debut full-length album, Through The Dark, released in October of 2021. Visit www.atlasgray.com for tour dates and more information.

Andy has produced and/or engineered numerous albums for hip hop artist Whxami, who is rising rapidly thanks to his unique blend of styles. His newest album, Melancholy, was released in August of 2021.

As a producer and session musician, Andy is versed in electric and acoustic guitar, bass, and lap steel, and has worked with a variety of artists and bands in an array of styles ranging from rock, soul, pop, folk, hip hop and more. In the fall of 2017, Andy joined renowned singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg on his Postcard Tour, playing electric and acoustic guitar, lap steel and bass. Check out Andy's credits at https://credits.muso.ai/profile/170832a7-6c9f-40e1-8d65-c1c4790583ca.

Under the name Aumen, Andy has composed and produced music for meditation catalogs and courses, podcast themes and more for clients such as Lydia McClain, Erin Telford, Eva Kornet, MoonRising, Optimystic Wellness, and Imagine Float.

Andy is half of Twin Engine, a studio collaboration with fellow producer/composer Rob Griffith. What began as Tuesday afternoon writing sessions, quickly evolved into a side-project focused on their mutual interest in using instrumental music to tell a story. Twin Engine's music is currently available for licensing in a variety of catalogs. Releases include a self-titled EP and a Christmas EP under the name Radio Flyer.

As an educator, Andy created a guitar reference ebook with the goal of helping guitarists and musicians of all levels hone their skills in a clear and concise way focused on real world knowledge and application. The new expanded version 3 is now available for download at www.andysorensonmusic.com/book.

Check out Andy's Instagram at www.instagram.com/andysorenson and feel free to reach out!

 

Photo: Florin Ion Firimita

 

Andy with the Atlas Gray Band

 

Gear Profile:

 
 

 

Videos:

 
 

Featured Artist: Neil Citron


 
 

Neil with His T Classic (Specs below)

Neil's cousin Howard Leese, of Heart & Bad Company fame, taught him his first chords and he fell in love with guitar at the age of thirteen. 

During his summer break, he hung out at Cherokee Studios (Rod Stewart/David Bowie/Jackson/Zevon), where he was mentored in music recording and mixing by some of the greats. 

He had the opportunity to work with Roy Thomas Baker during the recording of The Cars, Foreigner and Journey. Neil knew then that recording and mixing would be a big part of his music career. 

Like the Doors and Van Halen, Neil's band "Prodigy" became the house band at Gazzarris’ famous club on the Sunset Strip. Not long after that Neil and the band were signed to Mercury Records and toured the states for several years opening up for “Manfred Mann”, “Y & T”, and Triumph. 

Later, his two engineer friends, Greg Ladanyi (Jackson Brown, Toto) and Dusty Wakeman (Dwight Yokam, Lucinda Williams), inspired him to fine tune his recording and mixing skills. 

Neil also excels in song writing, and has co-written music for projects with Dino De Laurentiis, Chrysalis Records and Playtone Productions, as well as bands like Quiet Riot and Wasp. 

He ran and produced at three-time Grammy-winning rock guitarist Steve Vai's Studio called “The Mothership;” which has housed artists such as Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, The Yardbirds, and the Wallflowers. 

After building a portable recording rig for Steve and recording his year long tour, Neil recorded the "Live at the Astoria” album, which earned him a Platinum record. Neil is well versed in recording multiple genre’s including Acoustic, Metal, Rhythm and Blues, Folk, and Hip Hop. Neil has also mixed a Steve Lukather (Toto) & Larry Carlton (Steely Dan) live CD called "No Substitutions: Live in Osaka" for which Neil won a Grammy. 

Some of the movie soundtracks he’s worked on have included “That Thing You Do” (Tom Hanks), “My Big Fat Greek Wedding I & II, "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (Oprah Winfrey,) “Ricki and the Flash” (Jonathan Demme) featuring Meryl Streep, on which Neil personally coached Meryl on the guitar. 

Currently, he owns his own own mixing room and continues to record, mix and master many major artists including the new Quiet Riot CD from 2017 and music for the film and entertainment industry.

Lately he’s been playing with his band BangTower. The band was formed with Percy Jones from Brand X. Percy returned to Brand X, but the band continued as: Neil Citron (Vocals, Guitar and Keys), Joshua Seth Eagan (Drums), and Jon Pomplin (Bass). Check out their latest song, “Shag Time”:

 
 

 

Gear Profile:


 

Video:

Neil with his T Classic

 
 

Featured Artist: Jernej Bervar


 
 

Jernej Bervar (first name pronounced Yer-na) lives in New York City and has been making inroads into the music scene there, and far beyond. 

Jernej is a highly respected guitarist that has played with Victor Wooten, Ali Caldwell, Divinity Roxx, Gabrielle Goodman, Cory Henry, Sharay Reed…and others. The list goes on and on.

Originally from Slovenia, Jernej came to the United States after studying jazz in Austria. He attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he earned a degree but missed the graduation ceremony to tour with the group SunBeatzz, throughout China.

He is already very in demand, and we look forward to seeing a lot more from him!

Check out Jernej’s Instagram account @jernejbevar as well as the videos below (his YouTube channel is here) and our recent interview with him in Guitar Tales.

 

Gear Profile

Guitars:

Icon Classic in Lake Placid Blue

Pedalboard:


 

Videos

Jernej with his Icon Classic

Jernej with his Icon Classic

 
 

Featured Artist: Thomas Griggs


 
 

Meet Thomas Griggs—affectionately known as Griggs.

He is a super nice guy and touring guitar player with Intervals—Aaron Marshall’s impressive visionary band.

According to Griggs, Intervals may best be described as a modern, eclectic, fusion quartette that hangs on the boundary of pop and metal. But nicely melodic. The newest album is less metal and more fusion—slipping into the R&B / Pop side of things. 

And if that wasn’t enough to already be impressive, when available Thomas is also gigging every Saturday and Sunday with a worship group and working on his own modern jazz trio project. The trio was about ready to hit the studio when we all went into isolation. Now he is taking advantage of the time to work on more great tunes with his Anderson Icon in hand. And when we can all come out to play again they will be ready to record. We can hardly wait.

Griggs is also spending some time writing things you will want to read—working on material to eventually release highly informative guitar books—licks and super cool transcriptions. You can definitely learn a lot from this player. 

Thomas attended the University of Tampa, where he earned a degree in Classical Music and then also graduated from Berklee College of Music.

Check out his instagram @griggly_bear as well as a recent interview we did with Griggs.

 
 
 

Gear Profile:

Amplification:

• Badcat Cub 40R

• Tone Blocker 202

Guitars:

Icon Classic in Seafoam Green

T Classic in Translucent White

 

Featured Artist: Funtwo


 
 
11-30-15A_The Classic_Light Baby Blue_Funtwo_NAMM 18-4.jpg

It all began at a university in New Zealand where Funtwo was studying computer science. To unwind and rest his weary mind Funtwo also played guitar—a self proclaimed “guitar enthusiast.”

He awoke one afternoon from a vivid musical dream and decided that perhaps he should record and post a video, just to get others’ thoughts on his guitar playing. 

After a few takes, it was uploaded. 

Unexpectedly, millions of people around the world watched and enjoyed—6 million + views and  Funtwo was a Youtube sensation. 

Now that is Fun!

Visit Funtwo's YouTube channel and enjoy all the music.

Check out Funtwo’s latest Pro Am from Guitar Tales.

 

Gear Profile:

Amplification:

• Mesa Boogie Mark V: 25

• Fractal Audio System AxeFx2

Guitars:

• Anderson Guitarworks Classic, in Light Baby Blue

• Anderson Guitarworks Pro Am, in Satin Inca Silver


 

Videos:

Funtwo with his Pro Am

Funtwo with his Classic

 

Featured Artist: Mike Campese

 

 
04-23-10P_Mike Campese-all wrapped up.jpg

So Smooth and So Fast…

That when Mike Campese stopped by Anderson Guitarworks, we had  to tie him down to the amp, with guitar cables, to keep him grounded (both physically, electrically and in a disciplinary fashion) while we got this shot.

Such a photogenic artist—and such a fun guy. Love him—but kids…don’t try this at home. No one needs to be grounded…like this. 

https://mikecampese.com/

 

Featured Artist: Brian Oaks


 
 
 

Ready To Come Out And Play…With Cobras


Not as dangerous as it first may seem when you read the header. Let’s meet Brian.

This is the magnificent Brian Oaks, running through final prep before taking the stage with Paul Brandt.

Paul is an amazingly conscious country artist that is a master of connecting with his audience and Brian is his guitar player—very nice arrangement for everyone.

Brian is pictured here with his two Anderson babies…Cobra S in Starry Night Black and Cobra T in Sparkle Silver.

They (all of them, Brian, Paul and the two Cobras, plus the rest of the band) were on a huge tour across Canada.

And…this is what Brian wanted you to know:

“LOVE my Andersons. Played these two every night.”

“I had my Andersons out on a 5 week tour of Canada with Paul Brandt. At some points it was - 50° and my guitars were on the semi for 15 hours. Every time they were pulled off of the truck, they were ready to play. How many guitars can you say could do this?”

“The thing about my Anderson guitars is that they are perfect. Every detail from frets to finish. The consistency of these, guitar-playing-wise, is unbelievable. Mine travel quite a bit and have had zero issues going from climate to climate. This is amazing.”

Brian also wanted us to mention that he always uses Elixir strings—always—and feels that they are a big contributing factor to his playing and performance consistency.

Thanks Brian and Paul. Happy Anderson Gigging.

GEAR PROFILE: