OpsyMusic is going to sleep for a while. For how long, I'm not sure. "When it's ready to awaken" is the best explanation I can provide. Nobody reads this anyway, right?

After my foray into CD recording, I decided it was time to learn more about who I was, musically speaking. That resulted in a couple years of intensive study under nationally renowned instructor, Howard Morgen. Under his tutelage, I studied fretboard harmony, consisting largely of a wholly new profusion of jazz-like chord voicings, musically referred to as inversions. Coupling that with a concept known as "finding the line", I gradually began forging a new musical tour de force, applying it to select songs from 60's and 70's that seemed to fold nicely into this style. A few years later, I can honestly say, I am pleased with the result, ... and so too it would seem are a lot of people.

At the urging of a player-friend who had yet to hear my newly developed style (thanks, Niles!), I started playing out regularly as a solo performer at a couple different open mic events in my area, forcing myself to play through performance anxiety, which had heretofore always plagued me in the past. Time and again, I see the look on others players' faces, or a captivated audience member's, as I perform recognizable covers, using these voicings and chord constructions as accompaniment against the backdrop my of mellow-sounding vocals, or a chord melody fill between verses. Ah ... it feels good when I pull it off.

So for right now I'm engaged in building up my custom-tailored repertoire, and taking it out, performing under the name of Rickster. Perhaps one day soon, I'll be the showcase act for some pub, lounge, or coffee house in the area. In the meantime, come on out and see and hear me if you get a chance at City Beverage in southwest Durham, and Oliver Twist Lounge in north Raleigh -- and I hope, more venues to follow...