The Thomas Loop Radio Show

www.adamrafferty.com“The fi rst time I heard the guitar I was still in my mother’s womb” says Adam Rafferty.Born and raised in Harlem, Adam started playing blues guitar at age 6, got mugged infront of his building at 10, played in a hard rock band at 12, was ripped off by a clubowner on his fi rst gig at 15, and by 18 he was a rapper on a gold record overseas.He’s led a true musician’s life since his earliest days on planet earth.By 19 he was playing guitar professionally and at 20 he was playing an after hours jointin Harlem on 137 street and Adam Clayton Boulevard where the band leader regularlydrank himself into to oblivion and threatened customers with a 10 inch kitchen knife.Adam has played in the New York City subway on up to New York’s and Europes mostupscale music rooms and concert halls. He’s led his own band through Europe, producedhis own albums, and never doubted for one minute his sole purpose in life to playthe guitar.You hear that Adam has paid his dues. You hear it in his feeling for the blues, in hisgroove, in his touch. History and life experience fi res this man’s music, puts the “sizzle” inthe “steak.”Adam Rafferty (a.k.a. “Raf”) has played as a fi rst-call guitarist with the greatest musicianson the planet at countless music festivals (US and Europe), concert halls with Dr. LonnieSmith, The Dizzy Gillespie Big Band, L.A. Studio legend Bennie Wallace, bassist Bob Cranshawfrom the original Saturday Night Live band)to name a few.Students have fl own across the country and from Europe to tap Adam’s brain for ofguitar knowledge. He’s taught countless workshops, written 2 books and has a new instructionalDVD available where he teaches fi ngerstyle versions of Stevie Wonder’s mostpopular songs.And now he is playing solo acoustic guitar. In just a few years, he’s become a YouTubeguitar sensation - his views are in the millions. Due to this new popularity he’s being discoveredand this year he performed festivals in Bangkok, Helsinki, Germany and Austriato name a few.Among Adam’s musical innovations is the ability to play 2 simultanoeous melodies onthe guitar and do hip hop fl avored “human beatbox” with his mouth at the same time.Some say that hIs solo version of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” sounds like the “guitaristwith 3 heads”. It has to be heard to be believed.His solo versions of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” arehis most popular and requested songs and can be heard on YouTube as well. Basslines,horn parts and vocals are replicated and the groove will make you jump out of yourseat.“When I was a kid my Dad played his old Martin guitar for me - that’s the original magicthat turned me on to music. I remember the smell of the wood, the crispy sound of thesteel strings, and my connection with my Dad. Playing acoustic guitar feels like cominghome to me.”“I choose songs with strong melodies that I love to hear. It’s not even about ‘playingguitar’ at this point - it’s about conveying music and leading listeners through a musicalexperience. The guitar is my tool to do that. There is so much music here, right here onthis guitar of mine, I’ll never get it done - but boy do I love working on it and sharing itwith others.”“I am so grateful for all the opportunities I have had and continue to have” Adam concludes.“And I’m also thankful for the hardships. That’s why I called my fi rst solo album‘Gratitude’. Thank You, Universe, for all that you have given and continue to give towww.jamieholka.comJamie Holka is a solo finger-style guitarist from Niagara Falls NY. His style incorporates many layers to assimilate bass, ...drums, chords and melody. Switching between a Gibson L-5 and a Maton Michael Fix model, he’s able to create quite a diverse sound.Jamie studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and continued the study of jazz guitar long after his Berklee days. However, jazz is only a foundation for his multi-layered arrangements.Jamie took 3rd place in the North American Rock Guitar Competition in 2006 and has been a support act for many classic artists such as Allan Holdsworth, Todd Rundgren, Michael McDonald, Steve Morse, Steve Miller, Little Feat, Kansas, Steve Kimoch, Adam Rafferty, and CCR. His arrangements span the likes of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Super Tramp, Toto, the Beatles, the Cars, Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, the Bee Gee’s, the Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Boz Scaggs and many one hit wonders.