Central Mass Main Presenter
Steve Shields
NEW LOCATION : 1835 Town Hall building at 31 Main street in Sterling Mass.
Date: August 24th from 7-9
Steve Shields is a finger-style guitarist who specializes in slightly eccentric versions of songs from the 1960’s through today. Steve’s guitar journey started when the Beatles were still together, and he was heavily influenced by the music of the 1960’s ,70’s and 80’s.
At age 13, Steve got his first guitar which was a used, $35 acoustic. The action was high, the strings were dead and he had to tape it back together after attempting to toss it in the air like Pete Townsend. Nevertheless, he persisted in his attempts at playing. Then, in the depths of teenage angst, Steve heard the searing solos of Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain” and started the long, painful road to be a gigging guitarist.
By the time he was 20, Steve was playing in local “general business” bands, grinding out “Proud Mary” in purple tux shirts and polyester pants. No gig was off the table, and Steve played weddings, testimonials, school dances, proms and occasional bowling banquets with various working bands in Central Massachusetts. Through this journey, Steve became a proud member of the elite group of guitarists who have been paid for playing a polka (an honor he still cherishes).
After his long journey through General Business, Rock, Country, Folk, and Christian bands, Steve retired to his long cherished love for solo finger-style guitar where he had spent years developing his own approach and sound.
Steve now lives on Cape Cod with his wonderful wife, Allison and their little dog named Daisy Mae.
Thank you as always !
Paul
NEW LOCATION : 1835 Town Hall building at 31 Main street in Sterling Mass.
Date: August 24th from 7-9
Steve Shields is a finger-style guitarist who specializes in slightly eccentric versions of songs from the 1960’s through today. Steve’s guitar journey started when the Beatles were still together, and he was heavily influenced by the music of the 1960’s ,70’s and 80’s.
At age 13, Steve got his first guitar which was a used, $35 acoustic. The action was high, the strings were dead and he had to tape it back together after attempting to toss it in the air like Pete Townsend. Nevertheless, he persisted in his attempts at playing. Then, in the depths of teenage angst, Steve heard the searing solos of Funkadelic’s “Maggot Brain” and started the long, painful road to be a gigging guitarist.
By the time he was 20, Steve was playing in local “general business” bands, grinding out “Proud Mary” in purple tux shirts and polyester pants. No gig was off the table, and Steve played weddings, testimonials, school dances, proms and occasional bowling banquets with various working bands in Central Massachusetts. Through this journey, Steve became a proud member of the elite group of guitarists who have been paid for playing a polka (an honor he still cherishes).
After his long journey through General Business, Rock, Country, Folk, and Christian bands, Steve retired to his long cherished love for solo finger-style guitar where he had spent years developing his own approach and sound.
Steve now lives on Cape Cod with his wonderful wife, Allison and their little dog named Daisy Mae.
Thank you as always !
Paul