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I have been playing guitar since roughly age 10. I wanted to play piano but we
couldn`t afford one so I started banging on an old guitar my Mom had in a closet.  By
age 13 or 14 I knew I wanted to play guitar for a living and I guess be a rockstar
but really the star part was an afterthought; I wanted to be a great guitarist for
my own sake. So I practiced, played in local bands and started recording my first CD
in 1994. Disaster struck as during the seesions for Personalities my left fretting
hand was crushed in a work accident. I had 12 fractures in my left ring and middle
fingers. The damage was bad and the Doctors werent sure if I would play again. There
would be permanent damage. I started rehabbing immediately and was back in the
studio months later finishing the CD and putting my hand in ice between takes.
In 1995 I released my cd Personalities and subsequently got interest from Virgin EMI
Japan. Due to that interest i was contacted by Stevens Weis, a super famous music
Attorney( and very nice and generous man as well) who had represented some of the
best guitarists ever: Jimmy Page, Jimmi Hendrix, Mick Ralphs, Ritchie Blackmore. My
keyboard players father had done some business with Weis in the past. He began
shoppng my CD to every major record label in the country. Ahmet Ertegan listened to
my CD during a lunch with Weis. I was then put on Tour with Ted Nugent and Bad Co. a
move the would ultimately become my legacy. The label shopping continued. We did
something like 26 dates across the U. S. it was total euphoria. Alas all good things
come to an end. We did not get picked up for a record deal, but I did have my
foothold to jumpstart my career.
I have since done shows with Great White, Stephen Pearcy RATT, Lynch Mob, Pat
Travers, Kings X, Blue Oyster Cult, Tony MacAlpine, Michael Schenker Group, Chris
Duarte, Trace Adkins, Sarah Evans and many more. Appeared on the Mancow show in its
heyday and have done music for ESPN Sports Center that was used during the 2003
World Series as well as hundreds of highlight clips. My songs Avalanche was used in
the early 2000`s during time stoppages at the United Center during play stoppages
and I also played the Blackhawks Season opener in 2001. In 2010 the Blackhawks began
using When the Lights Dim from my new Shreddtime Stories CD.
 My songs have been on over 50 radio stations across the country and on dozens of
internet based radio programs. I currently have music in a film on Showtime called
Reeker. As well as a host of extreme sports films and on Sprots Giant ESPN!
I have been to the Grammy`s and have hung out with/and or met Sting, Stevie Wonder,
Diana Krall, Howard Stern, David Spade, Rob Zombie, Smashmouth, Keanu Reaves, Ronnie
James Dio, Brad Gillis, Ozzy Osborne.....the list is too long to write out.
I have played the infamous strip in L. A with shows at the Whisky a Go Go, Cat Club,
Key Club, 14 Below, Knitting Factory multiple times . I supported Annaheim Angels
First Baseman Scott Speizieo`s Sandfrog at the Grove in Annaheim after the Angels
won the World Series, playing to a sold out crowd of manic fans and got to meet Adam
Kennedy, Troy Glaus and of course hung with Scott as well.
T D Clark Productions is a conglomerate of sorts that includes my professional
career as a guitarist ( major tours, endorsement deals, TV/Cable/Film credits) plus
my private teaching clientel, my groups lessons at over 45 area Park Districts with
hundreds of students enrolled for the Fall programming that begins September 1st my
state of the art recording studio, Studio T here in Aurora IL.
What I am most proud of however, is the fact that I did it my way when everyone else
said it couldn`t be done. I made it playing my music without having to resort to
playing in a fulltime cover band or Wedding Band. This has taught me a lot about
myself and others. This is also why I appreciate everything in my life so much and
am so thankful. Everyone who has ever bought a CD or come to a show or a lesson or
bought a DVD has benefitted my life and wihout them I am nothing.
I currently have 14 subcontractors and made my GM Dave Rohde partner June 1st. We
will surpass 50 Park Districts by Summer 2010 and are projected to have 75 Park
Districs on board by end 2010.
IN 2010 I was signed to Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai`s new label Digital Nations for a
distribution deal for my new CD Shreddtime Stories. The Chicago Blackhawks have also
licensed a track from Shreddtime Stories, When the Lights Dim for use in the United
Center during games.
My goal is to conquer the world. ( you can laugh here : ) and eat a lot of salad!
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Vol. 17, No. 2: Feb.-Mar. 2012
