got to jam with Steve Vai!

[dstroud]

Last week I went to Vai Academy in Vail, CO. What an experience! Got to spend 3 days hanging out with the likes of Eric Johnson, Sonny Landreth (I've never been interested in slide, but Sonny shared some techniques that really got me excited out slide), Larry Dimarzio, etc... One of the highlights was when I was wandering around while everyone was eating - heard someone playing in the ballroom (at the hotel where they did performances/clinics). I wandered in and there was Eric Johnson sound checking. Just me, him, and his tech in the room. I got to stand right in front of his speakers and listen to him sound check, that was awesome! But the highlight came when I actually got to jam with Steve. What a thrill that was! I sure had a blast and there are some memories I will never forget. Here's a video of me and Steve jamming

 

[PeteLaramee]

Cool man. I just posted on fb.

How did you swing this?

 

[cardinal]

That's awesome. I'd never be able to jam with Vai. I'd cower under the bleachers.

 

[dstroud]

Cool man. I just posted on fb.

How did you swing this?

thanks man! It was part of the Vai Academy camp. He jammed with anyone that wanted to get up and jam. Pretty cool!

 

[dstroud]

That's awesome. I'd never be able to jam with Vai. I'd cower under the bleachers.

He was VERY cordial to every player. Some guys just got up with a riff and played rhythm and he would play lead. He made everyone comfortable who got up and he encouraged everyone to jam.

 

[glassjaw7]

Awesome, congrats! What an experience!

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

You smoked him too. It did look a little like you were trying to play him into a corner though and out speed him by playing over top of him when it was his turn. Was that on purpose?

All said, you played great and Steve, though I usually think he is a bit "smoke and mirrors", played for the song/riff here and did some cool accents with his whammy dives and harmonics. He seems like a cool dude too. You'd never catch Malmsteen doing that with people.

 

[dstroud]

Awesome, congrats! What an experience!

Yeah man, that was my bungee jump/base jump/swim with the sharks - whatever kinda thrill is out there that was it for me!

 

[cardinal]

That's awesome. I'd never be able to jam with Vai. I'd cower under the bleachers.

He was VERY cordial to every player. Some guys just got up with a riff and played rhythm and he would play lead. He made everyone comfortable who got up and he encouraged everyone to jam.

Nice. Vai comes across as a super-cool dude in every video and interview I've seen of him.

 

[dstroud]

You smoked him too. It did look a little like you were trying to play him into a corner though and out speed him by playing over top of him when it was his turn. Was that on purpose?

All said, you played great and Steve, though I usually think he is a bit "smoke and mirrors", played for the song/riff here and did some cool accents with his whammy dives and harmonics. He seems like a cool dude too. You'd never catch Malmsteen doing that with people.

pfffffffttt... try and out do Vai??? please I was just having fun with it and I wanted it to get intense and didn't know how long we had to get there

oh BTW, he gave me the "signal" when we were supposed to play at the same time. So he wanted to trade a few bars then we both play together - that was the format.

 

[legend71]

That is completely awesome - you are a great player and held your own for sure

 

[mrhiwatt]

Very cool. Steve seems to be a nice guy from a friend that has been to a clinic of his. Nice that you were able to record it. Still diggin your CD's

MrHiwatt

 

[dstroud]

That is completely awesome - you are a great player and held your own for sure

thanks man!

Very cool. Steve seems to be a nice guy from a friend that has been to a clinic of his. Nice that you were able to record it. Still diggin your CD's

MrHiwatt

thanks! Yup, Steve is a super nice guy

 

[cecilbag]

Very cool. I would have been way to nervous around a player of that caliber but you sounded great. Awesome you have a video to watch and relive.

 

[messenger]

Towards the end he was looking like Jack Butler

 

[IndyWS6]

That's awesome!

 

[sjk]

Damn! Held your own and then some!

 

[dstroud]

Very cool. I would have been way to nervous around a player of that caliber but you sounded great. Awesome you have a video to watch and relive.

thanks man, really Steve made anyone feel welcome - he has a way of encouraging people and help them have fun.

Towards the end he was looking like Jack Butler

haha, before I went on a little voice in the back of my head said "Jack Butler gonna like you" lol

That's awesome!

thanks dude!

Damn! Held your own and then some!

thanks man!

 

[LanierP]

Fantastic man. What a once in a lifetime event and you have the vid to prove it and remember it all.
Add to that you did a great job brother.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice job, Darren! I took private lessons with Steve for awhile back in '84 when he had the place in Sylmar. He was very helpful to me... good guy for sure.

Steve