By Cassy Hollan, Contributing Writer
This week I got the honor of sitting down and talking with a man sometimes known as the Acoustic Ninja.
Who is this ninja of sorts? What does he do? Well he is none other than world-renowned talent Trace Bundy.
Trace is a finger-style guitarist well known for his impressive skills on the guitar. He has toured all around the world, playing for thousands. He is here in Monroe to play a benefit concert for Take the Next Step.
The concert will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Frank Wagner Performing Arts Center in Monroe, 639 W. Main St.
So let's get down and dirty, and see if we can shed some light on this ninja, shall we? You are known to be one of the best finger-style guitarists in the world. For those who don't know, what is a finger-style player?
Bundy: Well instead of using a guitar pick, you use your fingers. It's like using five picks all at once.
What is your connection to our small town of Monroe and Take the Next Step?
Bundy: My wife's parents are pastors of Monroe Covenant Church. They have been very involved with Take the Next Step. They volunteer their time there. It is a great organization and I am honored to support it.
When did you first pick up a guitar, and what, or who, inspired you to continue? Bundy: My older brother was actually my inspiration. When I was 10 years old my brother and I were at a garage sale and saw this nice guitar and it was $10. That was a really good price for one, so my brother and I pooled our money together and got it. My brother and I learned to play together. I would also buy magazines so that I would be able to learn new techniques and skills.
Tell us a bit about your family. Did you get your musical talent from your parents?
Bundy: I have my beautiful wife, Becca, and two little boys; a 4-year-old and a 6-month-old. My parents were not musically inclined, but my father did enjoy making instruments out of wood and any other materials he could come across. I loved playing with them.
Do you plan to teach your boys how to play the guitar?
Bundy: If they show an interest in learning I would love to teach them how to play. I think it would be really fun. Maybe we could have our own band someday.
Okay, Trace, we know you tour around the world. So, tell me, out of all the places you have been which has been your favorite and why?
Bundy: I have toured in 26 countries. All of them have been fun. Each has a different culture and tradition. In Africa their music highlights more on percussion, whereas in Japan they like more quite melodic sounds.
Does your family ever go on tour with you?
Bundy: Yes. When my oldest son, Sawyer, was younger he and my wife came with me almost everywhere. Sawyer had visited 10 countries in his first year. As he got older though, he did not enjoy traveling as much, so they have not travelled with me much since then. Is there anywhere you haven't been that you would like to visit?
Bundy: I definitely want to visit Australia! I have a huge fan base there. They have been trying to get me there and I'm hoping to get there soon.
If you could tour with anyone, who would it be and why?
Bundy: Definitely U2. I would love to sit in with them and I really enjoy playing their music.
Can we expect any new CDs from you in the near future?
Bundy: I'm currently working on two projects. Progress is slow. It takes a long time to write music. I might be playing one of my new songs at the Take the Next Step benefit concert.
Tell us one thing about you that we would never guess.
Bundy: This is a big secret. My music does not involve lyrics, but when I was young, very young, I made up a silly song with lyrics about a cement worker! To my surprise someone at one of my concerts had heard about the song, and asked me to play it. That song is actually buried within one of my DVDs somewhere but it's not easy to find.
What advice would you like to give to any aspiring guitarists out there?
Bundy: Always have fun and enjoy what you are playing. I like to play music that I would enjoy listening to. Also, balance is important, along with enjoying what you play. Also, take time to learn music theory. Ultimately, never focus too much on technique and never take it too seriously. For those of you who missed Trace's Take the Next Step benefit concert, you can catch him again at the Triple Door in Seattle on March 3rd. For more info on Take the Next Step and what they are doing for our community, you can visit their website at www.ttns.org.
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