“My first experience with a real guitar (wood) was at age 7. Before that they were plastic. ”
Influences:
Growing up in New Jersey I watched and listened to my cousins play. Cousin Richard (Chester) Ayers taught me enough in 1 year to keep me curious for the rest of my life. He was the guitarist for band Elephants Memory at that time in the late 1960’s. I’m grateful he took time from his schedule to stop over when he could for my lessons. He seemed to always know the right things to play.
My first experience with a real guitar (wood) was at age 7…before that, they were plastic. I still have a Silvertone Dano. As well as playing guitar off and on, I later experimented and focused on playing other instruments (banjo, dobro, steel guitar). I quit everything in the mid 80's and took an extended break from music because of other interests. Back at it in the mid 90's, I focused on playing guitar. Chet Atkins, Don Rich, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Albert King, Roy Buchanon, Danny Gatton, and others influenced my style. Talented players I’ve worked with have been heavy influences for me and I still look to new players for inspiration. I have had and still have, the privilege of sharing the stage with a lot of good players, some great local musicians and some...not so local but just traveling through. Major thanks to them for sharing their talent.
Guitar Gear: 1972 Guild D-50.... it has always been mine.
2000 Martin JC16RGTE… my go to acoustic guitar
Electric: prefer Fender Telecasters...favorites are a '98 Paisley Reissue; 2007 Telecaster Deluxe w/ Rosewood fretboard; 1998 Creme White Tele w/ maple fretboard; 2016 Fender Jazzmaster w/ maple fretboard, soapbar pickups and strung with 11’s; 2014 Gretch White Falcon.
Amp Gear: Favorites being a heavily modified late 60's Fender Bassman rig w/ 4x10 cabinet, 1960 Fender Super amp, 1970 Fender Princeton.
Lost Weekend Swamp Stompers 1977
“Still trying to take more time to learn guitar phrasing and tunes I have always had an affinity for.... still making myself available as often as possible, getting out to see what happens next. Take a moment and check out the News section of the site for things I have been doing lately that make me happy....Got To Be There”
-Vern
Back in the Saddle Band 1980
1979 Playing pedal steel with Jimmy Silverthorne
Vern performs in New Jersey, New York & Eastern Pennsylvania areas.