Greg Newlon
Sacramento area acoustic guitarist Greg Newlon makes everything look easy. His gentle yet commanding touch brings six strings to life in a kaleidoscope of melody and rhythm. HIs musical fluidity stretches across instrumental acoustic guitar to imbue a gentle mood, a vast repertoire of 60s and 70s rock, folk and soul, stirring original contemporary folk and driving electric soul, blues and classic rock.
Electric |
Acoustic |
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Greg's Background
As a child, Greg began harmonizing with his mother as she sang and played the ukulele and organ. He picked up his first guitar at 13, and was performing with a local Chicago band at 14. His life-long musical experience is varied, including vocal groups, musical theater and bands representing almost every style from blues to rock to folk to a'cappela to...etc...
In and around Chicago during the 1960s and 70s, Greg played with several bands including FOG, The Disciples and the Midwest Hydraulic Company - four teenagers who caught a break and got booked to open for the Doors on the mid-West leg of their tour. Ask Greg about it and he’ll say “We were 17. We sucked.”
In the late 1970s he moved onto the exploding Rocky Mountain music scene, playing Apres Ski as well as the various clubs in and around Aspen.
After moving to California in 1979, Greg found himself cursed with the need to make a living. Ignoring his musical muse, he didn't pick up a guitar for 15 years. In the mid-90s he began performing with various classic rock, blues and country bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, then teaming up with Bev Barnett in 1998.
Greg describes his performance experience this way “you’re always looking for the zone, that place that, when you get to it, everyone is right there with you. So even if you’re playing a solo show, music is never a solo performance. It’s a spiritual journey where the goal is always the zone, the ensemble. Some times the ensemble is the band. Sometimes its solo guitar and a single listener… and the listener completes the ensemble.”
In and around Chicago during the 1960s and 70s, Greg played with several bands including FOG, The Disciples and the Midwest Hydraulic Company - four teenagers who caught a break and got booked to open for the Doors on the mid-West leg of their tour. Ask Greg about it and he’ll say “We were 17. We sucked.”
In the late 1970s he moved onto the exploding Rocky Mountain music scene, playing Apres Ski as well as the various clubs in and around Aspen.
After moving to California in 1979, Greg found himself cursed with the need to make a living. Ignoring his musical muse, he didn't pick up a guitar for 15 years. In the mid-90s he began performing with various classic rock, blues and country bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, then teaming up with Bev Barnett in 1998.
Greg describes his performance experience this way “you’re always looking for the zone, that place that, when you get to it, everyone is right there with you. So even if you’re playing a solo show, music is never a solo performance. It’s a spiritual journey where the goal is always the zone, the ensemble. Some times the ensemble is the band. Sometimes its solo guitar and a single listener… and the listener completes the ensemble.”