In his early childhood, the day that he sat on his oldest brother's lap, not even strong enough to physically play a guitar, Stephen would be mesmerized by the sounds and emotions he felt that were derived from his brother's playing. He used to rush home from the school bus just to hear, and play the guitar with his brother. And play 'air' guitar in his room with his best childhood friend that has grown to be an amazing drummer.
Soon growing into his teenage years, there was a time of great wonder and development in the media with the guitar. Bands like Kiss, Kansas, Fleetwood Mac, and the metal pioneers, Metallica were doing wonderful things in 80's music. Although, there were many influencing artists spanning from his favorites in the classical guitar World, i.e. Andre Segovia, Julian Bream, and Narcisso Yepes, Stephen would find the leadership to go to the next level with neoclassical electric guitar by way of Yngwie J. Malmsteen's 1983 'Trilogy' album. This record, a gift from a close friend, would change his life forever! This soon paved the way to the 'shred guitar' idiom in the 80's-90's and he became a fan of underground guitarists on the Shrapnel Records Label Group.
After a rather discerning, and mismanaged period of his lifetime, Stephen had decided to find his own voice in music and prepared to revolutionize the modern approach to the guitar through the implementation of MIDI compositions. His love for 'Gothic' art and 'Neo-Classical' subculture, gaming, and anime soundtracks, lead him to evolve his playing style to a new level. Composing music that has been quoted as “Music for Vampire Listening…” has started to reach the guitar community very quickly.
Stephen will be composing and releasing a trilogy series entitled. “The Bloodsword Chronicles” starting in 2010. Which will showcase his unique playing style and Instrument, an 8-String custom, Ibanez RG2228 with full MIDI/Piezo capabilities. He composes music much like a keyboardist; you may not believe it, but it is all played on a guitar!
Stephen uses Dean Markley's Blue Steel Custom 8 String,
gauges .010-.064.
Stephen's feelings about Dean Markley Strings:
DM Blue Steel Strings are absolutely, by far, the best guitar string to ever be made! Even in the event of such a strange need of a custom string gauge, DM has pulled though to make my dreams a reality! Thank you Dean!
Be sure to visit Stephen Wilhoit's website at:
www.MySpace.com/8stringcomposer or
www.ReverbNation.com/stephenwilhoit.
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