The Guitar Player's Resource
Gary Borden: Being a drummer in our family band at the age of eight, music was my daily passion. My brother was a big influence, listening to Kiss, Aerosmith, Queen, Beatles and Van Halen. My father and brother taught me a lot about theory and performance. Guitar became an obsession to me.
When I was 18 I won second place in an international guitar playing contest sponsored by Eric Clapton/Fender/GIT. I then enrolled at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California. I graduated from MIT at 20 years old and since then my playing has progressed immensely.
Gary Borden: I intended to release my latest instrumental album "Chasing A Dream" independently, just as I released my vocal project Blood of VanGogh.
Rick Rose of Tangerine Music Group approached me to release it under his label. Rick is a long time friend and is very familiar with all my music.
Gary Borden: I love rock, country and blues. My music has elements of all of those styles.
Gary Borden: All the songs started out as riffs and grooves. I then came up with the arrangements so I could send to my friend Rory Faciane in Nashville via internet. Rory drummed on the entire album. After he sent me his drum tracks, I would then finish the recording and mix it.
Gary Borden: Live, My main guitars are a Fender Stratocaster, G&L ASAT Classic Tele and an Ibanez "Custom Agent" Les Paul.
I run it through a Fender Showman head with a Marshall 4X12 cabinet. For lighter gigs I will use either a custom 1X12 Cabinet with the Showman head or a Peavey Delta Blues combo amp. The Peavey is an amazing amp, 30 watts and cranked so the tubes are working like they should.
In the studio I will add a Vox AC30, Vintage Gibson Skylark GA 5T, Vintage Fender Vibrolux and a Marshall JCM 800.
Gary Borden: My website: garyborden.ca has updates on what's new with my career. I am currently working on a few videos for the instrumental album. I have a lot of different musician friends helping out. It's going to be fun!
Gary Borden: I find that you must have constant activity to create and maintain the interest of people. Facebook is a great way to share new projects with friends and fellow musicians but it doesn't reach people outside your circle. Trying to sell music in today's society when people want something for free is tough. Self promotion is challenging.
Gary Borden: The biggest advantage that I have had being an independent artist is that I have direct contact with the people. Whether it's a promoter that wants to have me play at his event or a new fan of my music. It makes all the hard work worth while.
The disadvantage is the marketing side of the industry. Finding the right pocket to put your music. It's your own money that goes into everything, so every step is a gamble.
Gary Borden: I would love to record an album or even a song with Jeff Beck. He's such an amazing player. He's one of a kind, and I think we have a lot of similarities that would work great together.
Gary Borden: I am heading into the studio this month to record new material. I am also anticipating the release of Gowan's new album. I played the guitars on his new album. I hope to reach as many people as I can through my music.
Canadian guitarist, songwriter and producer Gary Borden has parlayed his Musician's Institute education into a career as a freelance musician. He has written music for many film and T.V. shows, and has produced songs and albums for everyone from indie artists to Sony Nashville songwriters. Gary has also hosted instructional seminars supported by Boss/Roland and Charvell Jackson Guitars.
Dan McAvinchey recently touched base with Borden to learn more about his style and approach, and to get his perspectives on the business of music.