Galen was 11 years old when he first bought a guitar. It was a Sears acoustic, which was a consolation to an electric guitar that he had wanted for his birthday. The only thing left was to save enough money to buy an electric guitar in the next two years. Galen took his new guitar and began to experiment with it. He tried using an amplifier and boombox, but the results were not great. He was hooked and soon gave up his academic ambitions to concentrate on the guitar. He would play it for up to 10 hours per day. Galen began his musical education without a TV at home and with KISS and ACDC records that he had snuck home. At age 15, he joined his first band, playing backyard parties in Freelton (population 500). Galen was at the end of high school and wondered what he would do next. Galen had heard that jazz could be studied in college. Galen asked an older musician friend for help. He generously gave Galen two jazz records. From that treasure box, Galen discovered new music. Mike Stern, Weather Report and Pat Metheny were instant favorites and still are. Galen is now a jazz fan and attended Humber’s jazz program. It is one of the most prestigious programs in North America. After four years of school, Galen developed his musical taste and skills. However, he needed to make a living and pursued various careers from finance to construction before starting his own internet-based business. Galen would make a complete change in his life after he graduated from Humber fifteen years ago. While on a vacation with Sousie and Rose, the musical urge still gnawed at him. Galen was forced to play the guitar with the musician, despite Galen’s protests. Galen realized that he could not go back to his business after hours of playing. During that trip, he bought a bouzouki for himself and a classical guitarist. He returned to the States and hired another person to manage the company. The Rose Room Recording Studio was built and Galen re-dedicated himself to the music that he loved. Galen is happy than ever three years after that trip to Greece. He’s still playing his guitar for 10 hours every day, just as he did when he was 13. He’s also replaced his Sears guitar with a yellow Strat, and other fine instruments. These are featured on his new CD Plugged in, which is available on BluJazz. From www.galenweston.org
