Stephen Dale Petit visits ACM

Renowned blues guitarist Stephen Dale Petit took to the halls of ACM to share his experience and love of all things blues with guitar students. The Californian born musician and musicologist said; "It's important that students are exposed to raw, deep blues first hand and that they know it's available to them. I love Guilford. It's very fitting that I'm starting my clinic tour in the place that produced so many guitar players, such as Eric Clapton. It's known as the Surrey Delta, like the Mississippi Delta where blues was widely accepted to have originated."

Speaking about the students, Petit said; "They loved it and were really keen to interact. The students seemed to be magnetically drawn to the music, which is part of the reason why this music revolution is happening.

Petit went on to say; "It was all about opening the blues scene up and and showing them just how accessible it is. Bands like the White Stripes have been using blues in their music and delivering it to the masses for years. Some believe it's a dying genre but I just wanted to show the students that there's still life in the old dog yet!"

As well as giving some of the history of blues, Petit also showed a short film and played to his audience. He said; "I got to share my life's passion in an interactive setting and explore this fascinating phenomenon that underpins all modern guitar music.”

What the Students Thought..

"I went into Stephen's clinic expecting to be bombarded by terminology. What I came away with was a clearer understanding of the use of blues within modern music. It was insightful and worth going to. It also helped that Stephen is a kick-ass guitarist!"

3 out of 5