Ron
01/08/25
Great discussions
Still going thru the lessons but got sidelined by his discussion and stories. Very down to earth type of musician that inspires one to pick up the guitar and practice and learn the instrument
G.E. Smith
One of the most in demand blues / rock guitarists in the world is a mysterious character who goes by the name of G.E. Smith. Millions of TV viewers know his face-and the shock of unruly blond ponytail that was always falling across it-from his tenure stint of fronting the Saturday Night Live Band.
For G.E. (George Edward) Smith, a soulful guitarist, composer, singer, and bandleader, it all began in rural Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was just about born with a guitar in his hand. “I started playing around the age of four, and started getting good at seven,” he says. “Eventually, the girlfriend of one of my Uncles bought me a Martin, a real good guitar, in 1959. Then when folk the music scene came around and Bob Dylan was first performing, I got really into that.” By chance he was attending a taping of the television show ‘Hootenanny’ in Princeton, New Jersey, and saw the legendary Odetta and Josh White perform, further inciting his musicality.
On his 11th birthday, G.E.’s mother bought him his first electric guitar, a Fender Telecaster, a model that dated his birth year-1952. (“I still have that guitar, and there’s no sound that I can’t find in it.”) By then he was supporting himself as a musician, and playing in numerous situations–Pocono’s resorts, high school dances, you name it–often with musicians more than twice his age.
After accomplishing all he could in the bar-band scene as a teenager, Smith left the Pocono’s to conquer the Connecticut. He quickly established himself as a “top gun” guitarist and hooked up with the legendary Scratch band, which scorched clubs up and down the East Coast during the mid-70’s.
Never one to stay idle, in 2019, GE Smith had the good fortune of teaming up with soul stylist, X Factor finalist LeRoy Bell. LeRoy ( from Seattle, WA and Smith from Amagansett, NY ) sat down in the dead of winter after a cold-call from Smith’s wife, Taylor Barton, with an invitation to perform on their series PORTRAITS. Smith and Bell hit it off. After making demos which included “America” about a fallen democracy, the two were swept up and signed by BMG and thus a critically released collection hit the streets in 2020, with a searing new duo. Their collection, STONY HILL, is out and available on ITUNES, AMAZON, and all major streaming services.
For G.E. (George Edward) Smith, a soulful guitarist, composer, singer, and bandleader, it all began in rural Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was just about born with a guitar in his hand. “I started playing around the age of four, and started getting good at seven,” he says. “Eventually, the girlfriend of one of my Uncles bought me a Martin, a real good guitar, in 1959. Then when folk the music scene came around and Bob Dylan was first performing, I got really into that.” By chance he was attending a taping of the television show ‘Hootenanny’ in Princeton, New Jersey, and saw the legendary Odetta and Josh White perform, further inciting his musicality.
On his 11th birthday, G.E.’s mother bought him his first electric guitar, a Fender Telecaster, a model that dated his birth year-1952. (“I still have that guitar, and there’s no sound that I can’t find in it.”) By then he was supporting himself as a musician, and playing in numerous situations–Pocono’s resorts, high school dances, you name it–often with musicians more than twice his age.
After accomplishing all he could in the bar-band scene as a teenager, Smith left the Pocono’s to conquer the Connecticut. He quickly established himself as a “top gun” guitarist and hooked up with the legendary Scratch band, which scorched clubs up and down the East Coast during the mid-70’s.
Never one to stay idle, in 2019, GE Smith had the good fortune of teaming up with soul stylist, X Factor finalist LeRoy Bell. LeRoy ( from Seattle, WA and Smith from Amagansett, NY ) sat down in the dead of winter after a cold-call from Smith’s wife, Taylor Barton, with an invitation to perform on their series PORTRAITS. Smith and Bell hit it off. After making demos which included “America” about a fallen democracy, the two were swept up and signed by BMG and thus a critically released collection hit the streets in 2020, with a searing new duo. Their collection, STONY HILL, is out and available on ITUNES, AMAZON, and all major streaming services.
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Reviews
2 results
James J.
12/27/23
LEGENDARY Instruction!
Learn from the Master! These are priceless videos that GE demonstrates his knowledge & experience by adapting to realtime calls from tracks and then applying his Craft. Blessed to be learning.
