Marlon Young took a break last week from rockin? with the Kid to talk with some guitar students in teacher Gary Ashton’s class at Oxford High School.
Young, lead guitarist in Kid Rock’s Twisted Brown Trucker band, is a Pontiac native who grew up with Oxford resident Lisa Bryant.
Bryant’s son Austin is in Ashton’s class and she arranged for Young’s visit.
Answering questions and even performing an informal jam session with student Dane Carten, Young reflected on learning the guitar, working with Kid Rock, venturing off into California to write songs and work as a session guitarist before eventually returning as Rock’s lead guitarist.
‘I think it was really great for the kids to see somebody who’s made it in the music business, who’s real down to earth and a real nice person, who can let them know you can make it if you try hard enough,? Ashton said.
Speaking to dozens of students, Young talked about learning guitar basics from his father, a General Motors employee and part-time musician who played with his band on the weekends. From there, Young listened to records and practiced playing what he heard. After learning the basics from his father, Young was mostly self-taught.
It was about 13 years ago when Young first played in Rock’s band. Even back in those days, what Young saw of Rock told him he was headed for stardom.
?[Bob’s] a pretty interesting person and never had a doubt what he wanted to do his whole life,? Young said of Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie. ‘I’d been doing music for so long, I knew he’d be successful. I wasn’t into rap, but there was no doubt he’d be successful. With certain people you can tell they’ll be good, and he was one of them.?
After spending time in Rock’s band, Young chose to leave and head out west to further his musical career as Rock started writing his own songs. He and Rock parted on good terms, which he feels is important for aspiring musicians. Being professional and being personable are both vital for a musician to have a successful career.
‘Music is like anything in life,? Young explained. ‘Have people respect you first and foremost. I know some really great musicians who couldn’t be in a band to save their lives since their people skills aren’t good.?
About four years ago, Young returned to Rock’s band. He writes songs with Rock. In fact, Young co-wrote many of the songs from Rock’s 2007 Rock and Roll Jesus CD.
Young owns several guitars, including a Les Paul model he’s had for more than 30 years. Even when not performing in concert or recording in the studio, he likes to play the guitar every day.
‘We ride on nice tour busses and private jets and it’s a lot of fun,? he said. ‘There’s also the down side. Lots of people get caught up on the things that aren’t very good for them. Drugs are a big part of rock and roll. For a lot of people, that’s the only way they know how to function. I don’t do any drugs and I don’t drink: I’ve always been a music guy. I turn to music. I play my guitar every single day, whether I’m riding on the bus or in a hotel room.?
You don’t have to be a rock star to be successful in the music business, Young said, and it is important for aspiring musicians to try to avoid pitfalls and know what they what to do and be themselves. This includes being a leader and not a follower.
Growing up, his favorite guitarists were Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. Imagine his surprise when he and the band finished a London concert and were told by security they had a visitor who was none other than Page himself.
‘I got to sit and visit with him for half hour to 45 minutes,? recalled Young. ‘That was the highlight of my tour.?
During his talk with students, Young covered a wide range of music-related topics including:
Song writing: ‘Don’t overthink it or try to be too clever. Just be honest, that’s the hardest part. Everyone wants to write a hit. Sometimes you start overanalyzing your own songs. You have to just let it be. If you have a song you can feel you just write it.?
College and music: ‘I would definitely recommend going to college. If you write songs you’ll be taking English and classes to increase your vocabulary and better understand the English language’There’s nothing to the myth that you have to quit school to be a rock star.?
Learning the guitar: ‘You can learn something from every guitar player you encounter. I probably could learn something from some of you. I guarantee you’d play things I hadn’t thought of that would make me think ‘Wow, that’s cool.? Listen to as much music as you can. Study it with someone who’s experienced rather than being self-taught. ?
Up next for Young and Rock is a summer tour along with heading to the recording studio this month to record their next album due to be released possibly later this year.