Lou Stonehill

That Lou would one day end up playing an instrument was pretty much a foregone conclusion given that he was born into a musical family with Dad being a well respected drummer/vocalist, and Mum being an ex ballet dancer and an avid music listener.

A lifelong frustrated drummer Lou turned to guitar aged eleven and attained grade eight classical guitar with distinction aged just sixteen.

With a heavy jazz influence from home, Lou started playing with his Dad’s band whilst still at school, and even lied about his age to earn his first ‘pro’ money for the guitar chair in a production of Fiddler On The Roof at the then Gaumont Theatre Southampton. A cool £78.00 for a week’s performances was the reward! Then it was off to Leeds College of Music to read for a Jazz and Light Music Degree under the tutelage of Bryan Layton and Bill Kinghorn to name but two.

Lou turned professional in 1985 and has taught some 800 students (of all abilities!) aged between four and sixty four. He has run his own recording studio since 1988 and written over 500 pieces for film, television, radio and corporate video.

His client list ranges from Saatchi and Saatchi to British Gas, from Harlech Television to Meridian. He has been an active session player and producer working regularly for the likes of the Townhouse, Qdos, Warner Group and the Rank Organisation. More recently Lou has been a regular face on the national demonstrating circuit working initially for A.R.T. effects, then J.B.L. Hughes and Ketner amps, Rivera amps, Parker Guitars, A.E.R. Amplification etc. He has held the position of ‘Mr Takamine’ on behalf of Korg UK for the last five years and is an endorsee of HK Audio’s Lucas range of products.

Lou has just written and produced his very well-received, acoustic guitar-based debut album ‘Inner Space’ on which he also plays Keyboards. A self-confessed gadget nerd and harmony geek, Lou will be running a regular theory tutorial (with the occasional ‘food for thought’ editorial) for the site.

However, whilst being totally approachable about anything to do with Music, this guy is a stickler for detail and will leave no harmonic stone unturned! Oh yeah, and we should point out that he was the only demonstrator to receive a written warning for noise pollution at this year’s London Guitar Show! On an acoustic stand? Rock ‘n’ Roll, dude.