As a dad, I was blessed and as a guitarist I was blessed. Having your son ask you to play on his debut cd is what I would call a pinch me moment. I would say one of the proudest moments of my musical journey. And the best gig I could ever ask for.
While there was a lot of guitars and bass on the Forever Alive record, the song Starlit Horizon was a very special one as it combined all the passion Justin and I share for melodies and a hummable line that sticks with you.
The main melody to me speaks the way any Satriani line does. Simple yet gets into your head. To me that is all you can ask for.
For the solo, I felt I wanted to bring in a few choice moments of that big Brian May doubled chorus type tone…yet to me I felt this was something I could see on a Cantrell type record. I love this solo. And it to me is something that builds as it goes.
While we worked for a long time on this track and the first one we mixed with James Lugo in Nashville, the best part was an idea that I had with Justin to end this track in a pure arena rock style. Mixing Justin’s vintage Moog tones with my feeding back into a state of bliss. While recording the feedback, my son Justin snapped this amazing photo. Truth is. Sometimes the guitar controls you. This is one of those moments. This is as big of an arena rock ends as you can imagine. Purely kick ass!
I’m so proud of what Justin did here and this was a memory that will live with me forever working on this song! Crank it up!
Fender EVH Relic with Wolfgang Pickups
Charvel Pro Mod with Dimarzio pickups
Guitars (Rhythms)
Peavey White Wolfgang 2000
Fender US Wolfgang Stealth
Amplifiers
Marshall 1985 JCM800 Cameron Modded
Soldano Hot Rod 50+
Pedals
MXR Zakk Wylde Chorus
Morley George Lynch Wah
Xotic EP Booster
SDE3000 Stereo Delay
Keeley Drive for a Cure OD
Cables
Dimarzio and Planet Waves
Strings
D’addario NYXL 9-42
Picks
In tune PG Jazz 1.0mm
Microphones and Cabs…Misc
SM57 and Sennheiser 421
Mesa Boogie Recto 212 w/ Celestion Vintage 30
Marshall 1960BX 412 w/ Celestion Greenbacks
API A2D Preamp
Logic X
Bass Gear
Fender Jazz Geddy Lee 4 string Bass with Tom Brantley 72 pickups
Charvel San Dimas 4 string bass with Dimarzio PJ pickups & Dark Glass active 3 band EQ
Tech 21 GED2112 Sans Amp rack mounted pre amp
D’Addario 45-105 NYXL
