Douglas Blair To Lead Whole Music’s Rock & Guitar Department

Amesbury, MA, Jan. 11, 2012 - Douglas Blair, longtime North Shore-area private guitar instructor and lead guitarist for the classic rock band W.A.S.P. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W.A.S.P._%28band%29), has been named to head up the new Rock and Guitar Department at the Whole Music studios in Amesbury, MA.  Blair will be teaching bass, piano, voice and ensemble, and assisting E.J. Ouellette in the company’s Artist Development program.
 
“Doug’s the real deal - a true rocker, and international touring professional” says Ouellette, Creative Director and Whole Music Co-Owner. “He’s got a wealth of touring, performing and recording experience gained from many years of touring. He’s been a teacher for more than 20 years. On top of that, Doug is a nice guy. We are psyched to have him join the Whole Music staff and offer his vast knowledge and guitar expertise to our students.”
 
Although Blair calls Newburyport his home base, he spends part of his year in Los Angeles recording, and touring internationally with W.A.S.P. He was formerly lead guitarist for the New England rock trio Run 21, and also fronts a progressive power duo project called signal2noise with percussionist/vocalist John Anthony.
 
Whole Music is planning a workshop at which Blair will demonstrate many aspects of electric and acoustic guitar performance, along with his own instruments, which include double neck acoustic/electric and paired-string hybrid instruments. 
 
Blair has envisioned and developed the innovative “GuitarCross,” an instrument that combines five guitar strings with three bass strings, which can be played and amplified separately - providing an unprecedented musical approach. He also modifies 12-string acoustic guitars upon which steel and nylon strings are paired.
 
A songwriter, vocalist and synthesist, Blair brings to the table years of expertise in studio/live production and sound engineering at such venues as the original House of Blues in Cambridge, MA, and at The Grog in Newburyport, MA. He offers a unique perspective from both sides of the coin, performing and producing.


In addition, Blair has published numerous guitar-related columns in regional, national and European magazines, covering topics from instruction and advice on guitar playing to instrument care and modification. He is skilled in guitar design and modification, building and repairing many guitars in his own shop.
 
“I’ve taught on the North Shore for more than 10 years, and many of my students have gone on to Berklee and into the music scene with their own groups. I think that musicians should never stop learning - I am constantly seeking inspiration from others, including my students. It keeps me current and keeps the circle spinning,” says Blair. He cites Steven Wilson of the British band Porcupine Tree, New Yorker Charlie Hunter, as well as classic rock guitarists Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix as artists that influence his work.
 
Ouellette notes that Blair is representative of the high caliber of Whole Music’s staff. “We hire professionals who have experience in specific genres such as  rock, jazz, and classical, as well as many who are multi-instrumentalists. Our team eats, drinks and lives music,” he adds.
 
About Whole Music
Whole Music provides quality music instruction and development to students of all ages and ability levels. Our approach to music education is based on the philosophy that all of us possess innate musical talent that can be developed with the right, holistic approach. We offer private lessons, semi-private lessons, group classes and jamming workshops -- JamshopsTM -- six days a week at Whole Music’s locations in Byfield and Amesbury, MA.  Formerly known as Pine Island Music, Whole Music is co-owned and operated by Executive Director Mimi Sparrow and Creative Director E.J. Ouellette, an experienced multi-instrumental professional musician with a long-standing reputation for inspiring confidence and success in his students. Ouellette is a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys). For more information about our services, please visit www.wholemusic.com [http://www.wholemusic.com] and join the online community at www.facebook.com/WholeMusicStudios [http://www.facebook.com/WholeMusicStudios] 
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Contact Information

Mimi Sparrow

Executive Director Whole Music

Cook Bowe Communications

(1) 978-462-9020

mimi@wholemusic.com