Yesterday I introduced you to John Bivens, our drummer.  Just in time for our June 29th show at Cafe Rhema here’s my introduction to Greg Ayers, our guitarist!

Buy your tickets today for our final show of my Black & White tour at CarolineSixTickets.com

 

Same questions as I asked John, but from Greg’s perspective as a guitar player!

What drew you to Caroline’s music?
I was first introduced to Caroline’s music when Tom Libertiny asked me to be a part of her project. Her heartfelt lyrics and musical fluency are really great. Caroline writes from a deeply personal place and her music reflects that.

 

From your viewpoint, what should we expect during the Caroline Six show on June 29?
I think the audience should expect to enjoy a show that straddles the fence between singer-songwriter sensibilities and heavy-hitting pop/rock anthems full of lush soundscapes.

 

Is there a particular style of music that’s influenced your guitar playing?
I started out listening to a decent variety of music at a really young age. I have been in and out of choirs since I was in elementary school. My first instrument was Tenor Saxophone so Jazz has been, and remains, a really big influence in my approach to guitar. I love classic rock (Zeppelin, Hendrix, AC/DC…etc.), singer-songwriter, Radiohead, hip-hop, R&B, Funk, some Rap (not what’s popular on the radio though), classical, old Hymns, Experimental types of music…pretty much anything that is emotionally compelling and artistically intriguing.

 

What’s your background as a musician–performance and education?
I’ve been a full-time musician since about 2008 though I’ve been performing in various situations since I was about 8 years old. I have a bachelor’s in Music Performance. I’m originally from Virginia, where I began singing and playing tenor saxophone. In my early teen years, I discovered the guitar and found a deep passion and love for the instrument. Early on I primarily played rock and Worship music. I delved heavily into jazz in college.

I’ve had many fortunate opportunities to play alongside artists like: Tony Blackman, Multi-Grammy Award-winning Michael League (Snarky Puppy), Nikki Glaspie (Beyoncé and The Nth Power), and Alex White (James Carter Organ Trio). I continue to have some projects of my own as well as working as a sideman for several Detroit artists.

 

What does your live rig consist of–guitar, amp, and effects?
’83 Fender Stratocaster with John Shur Pickups (V60LP in the bridge and 2 ML Standards in the Neck and Middle positions)
Fender Twin Reverb (with a few custom upgrades),
Brady Cases Pedal Board
Lava Cables

Pedals:

DigiTech Whammy version 4
Boss OC-2
Keeley Compressor Plus
VP-Jr Volume Pedal
Zvex Box of Rock
Fulltone Full-Drive 3
Mooger Fooger Ring Modulator
Boss DD-3 Delay
T. C. Electronic Nova Delay
Electro Harmonix Freeze
T. C. Electronic Ditto x2 Jam Looper (occasionally)

 

What’s the one quirky thing that no one would guess that you love?
I really enjoy cooking as another expression of creativity in my downtime!