It was 2014. I had been kicking it around NY in a few different 80’s tribute bands for a few years all ready. I had heard about this musical and knew of some great local guitar players that were in it.
I thought to myself, I’m playing all the same songs and the same guitar solos these guys are playing on Broadway. I want to do that.
What can I do to get on this show? Here’s what I’ll do. I’ll make a video of me playing the best 5 80’s guitar solo’s I know. I’ll send this video to all the guitar players in the show, both in New York, and LA.
One of the guitar players I sent the video to was Joel Hoekstra. Joel is one of the best guitar players in the world. At the time besides playing in ROA, he was the guitarist in Night Ranger, and TSO. He’s currently in Whitesnake.
I sent him the video along with an invite to an 80’s show that I was about to play in a few days later. I thought that there was a good chance that he would come because he had also made appearances in this 80’s band as well.
I was so happy to get a response from Joel. He responded to me by saying that he had all ready had a few sub guitar players for the show. He was also unable to make it to my gig.
The good news was that he said if I ever wanted to see the show that he would get me in and show me around backstage to see the setup and his guitar rig.
I took him up on his offer and made it down to the Helen Hayes Theater to meet Joel and checkout the show. Joel showed me around backstage where I also met Tommy Kessler who shared the guitar duties with Joel. Tommy’s also the guitarist in Blondie.
It was just about showtime. Joel was kind enough offer me one of the in-ear wireless systems so that I could hear his guitar mix and adjust it to my liking. In that mix I could also hear the musicians communication with each other between songs when the actors were speaking. There was some funny stuff and comments going on. Tommy’s one funny dude.
What a great show, I loved every second of it. Joel was brilliant. He’s such an amazing person to give me the royal treatment like that. This coming from a rock star guitar God.
Unfortunately the show had closed just a few months later. Somehow I have the feeling Joel knew that at the time I met him. I’ve remained friends with Joel and take guitar lessons from him when he’s available.
The moral to the story it that the hardest working musicians are the coolest people.