Thanks for your time. So tell us in what part of the First Coast do you reside now and how long have you lived there?
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story, maybe it will touch someone in some way. I moved to Jax Beach in 2009 as part of a job opportunity and have always thought I’d retire near the ocean. My wife, Ana, and I currently live in the South Jax beach area and really enjoy it here at the First Coast!
When did you know you had an interest in music?
Probably in the womb, seriously, my Mom would play country music while pregnant with me, I still say this is why I was born crying, haha! All seriousness aside, in high school I auditioned to be in the high school band as a drummer and the teacher recommended I try saxophone; sigh, musical rockstar dreams snuffed out early. Not so fast. I continued to be drawn to music, my Dad had an old Gibson Kalamazoo guitar lying around, and he used to play Wildwood Flower on it…I was 16 years old, and while Dad’s acoustic was nice, the electric guitar was THE instrument of rebellion for me and I just had to have one! So Dad and I made a deal, he said he’d let me trade my car (1966 Dodge Dart) for my friends Ovation Viper electric guitar and Peavey Pacer amp, only if I’d take lessons – and he’d pay for the lessons. Lions, tigers, and bears oh my! My life was about to turn around, and quick! This was in 1982!
A short stint in college to study music found me in the East Tenn State University (ETSU) Jazz Band – my first real foray into actual band rehearsals, gigging, backing up a lineup of no less than 8 singers, setting up and tearing down equipment, dealing with all the typical sound issues when playing “live” and experiencing the nights when it all fits together, seemingly making it all worthwhile! Getting back to the question, I suppose I’ve always had an interest in music throughout my entire life, it must have reached the point of manifesting a guitar in my hands by the time I was 16.
When I was a teen, I was into popular rock and heavy metal and the bands of the day were Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Rush, Def Leppard (was just starting), Ted Nugent, and on the blues side, to me Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Johnson were FIRE – and I was a rock and roll and blues fanatic, but with a secret desire and love for classical guitar music; not classical music per se, I wasn’t aware or interested in Bach, Mozart, or Chopin back then – but when I heard that stuff played on a gut string guitar, man, I was TAKEN by the music!! At the same time – this would have been early 80’s -1984, Michael Hedges turned the acoustic guitar world on its ear with the release of his first two albums Breakfast in the Field and Aerial Boundaries utilizing the steel string guitar like never before- Aerial Boundaries changed my musical direction forever!
I knew then, at 16 years young, I would be a “lifer” playing guitar.
Did you start with any specific instrument and migrate to other instruments?
The electric guitar was my jam – for a year, then my guitar instructor, Les Dotson, who recently passed in 2023, turned me on to acoustic music styles that were both exciting to listen to – as hard-driving as rock, but also an absolute joy and challenge to play! So I bought an acoustic steel string guitar and added to my arsenal of guitars. It was Les that turned me on to old-timey banjo playing and mandolin pickin! The transition from guitar to mandolin was easy enough, and my right-hand falls into a natural “clawhammer” style with its driving rhythm. So I took to those “like a duck to water” he’d say.
It’s always been the guitar for me though, until 18 years of playing fingerstyle – I began to hear lower notes and re-tuning wasn’t taking me low enough, then I remembered Hedges and his harp guitar, and then saw another leading proponent of the instrument, Stephen Bennett. play at a local coffee house and was hooked from then on. Within a year I had my first Harp Guitar – still have it Style 7 made in 1917 by the Larson Brothers of Chicago and sold under the Dyer brand name, it’s a real special instrument and has quite the voice! Mandolin and banjo have always been 2nd and third instruments for me – bringing more joy than any sort of musical mastery on the instruments!
Are you currently in a band (or bands)?
Yes, I mean, I am the band. playing the Harp Guitar allows me the opportunity to play melody, rhythm and bass – all at the same time! It’s a blast and super exciting to watch and hear! I’ve been in and out of bands over the past 40 years, blues bands, duos with percussionists, old-time string bands (years ago), I’ve mainly been a solo artist my entire life – and it’s no longer as lonely with a Harp Guitar!!.
Who is your favorite musician or what musician influenced you the most?
Les Dotson (1948 -2023) He was my guitar teacher, mentor, best friend of 43 years, bandmate, recording artist, father-like figure, brother and true blue friend. He taught me as far as he could down the path I was destined for (not his path, as an old timey Appalachian music and storytelling master) rather, my path seemed to be classic American fingerstyle; we were calling it back then – his influence runs through me to this very day, in a major way. As far as semi-famous guitarists, the two below are at the top! All the blues players from the 20s- I used to be an absolute fanatic of blues, acoustic, and electric!
John Renbourn & Michael Hedges – the two major influences on how I approach music. For those unfamiliar with John Renbourn, he was (he passed a few years back) an English guitarist who had a mastery of early music and an affinity for the blues from 1920’s, particularly Big Bill Broonzy. He was part of a British fingerstyle movement of the 60’s -70’s that included Davey Graham, Bert Janch, Martin Carthy, and Pierre Bensusan, influencing guitarists world wide! Michael Hedges totally rewrote the book on acoustic guitar by 1984 and for me, the original “New Age” guitarist – he called it New Edge music, or Heavy Mental! But don’t let that fool you, he had a degree in composition from the Peabody Music Conservatory in Baltimore MD. So cool… I met John Renbourn a couple of times. I kind of auditioned on our first meeting and introduced him to the Harp Guitar and the work of the Larson Brothers of Chicago! He loved those instruments and my playing! It is the joy and thrill of a lifetime having your absolute guitar hero comment favorably on your playing and having you open up for them the next time in the country!
There were other influences depending on the genre of music I was interested in at any given time, Randy Rhodes, Julian Bream, George Benson, Hound Dog Taylor- you name it, if they played guitar I was seeking them out! Today I’m as much of a Stanley Jordan fan as anything, even Martin Taylor’s new album sounds, refreshing, and these days I like refreshing and Jazz may just be it!
Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career that you would like to tell us about?
Oh sure, there have been many! The above Renbourn story was truly life-altering – playing for a legendary figure and guitar idol seems like a pinnacle. And it was at the time.
Then I met the grandson of one of the Larson Brothers (the guys who built my Harp Guitars) – Bob Hartman – some 20+ years ago. He and his wife, Carol, fell in love with my playing style on the Harp Guitar and two magical things happened; 1.) he offered to sell me his one-of-a-kind 1909 Stahl Harp Guitar, coveted by many around the world and no shortages of offers to buy from him, yet he offered it to me after I played it one fateful evening in Oregon. and 2.) Bob graciously included me in his 4th publication of his grandfather’s work, “The Larsons Creations” published by Centerstream Publishing. Incredibly, Bob’s 88 years old this year -2024, and had just completed his 5th book on the Larson Brothers’ impact on musicians, a storybook of sorts, of which I too, was included! It should be available on Amazon soon and promises to be a delightful read with many new high-quality photos – bravo Bob !! Another high point, directly related to being in the Larsons Creations book, was being on a recording with Jimi Hendrix. Yes, you read correctly. Here’s the story. I was in Naples FL attending one of the many Harp Guitars gatherings held each year in a different part of the country. Bob, Carol and I were having lunch and he says, you know Stace – he says, we found a cassette of Jimi Hendrix playing a Larson Brothers built guitar in his hotel room in New York, the night before his legendary Woodstock performance. We’ve secured the rights to it and it will be included in the book, along with two tunes from you, on the accompanying CD. So now it’s Hendrix and Hobbs, ha, plus a whole host of major players…This was another “SO COOL” moment!!
There was a time when author of the tune “Classical Gas”, Mason Williams came up to me after one of my performances in Oregon years ago and said – he shook my hand and said “After hearing you play Amazing Grace, I can die now, I’ve heard it all.” WOW, What a gracious comment! I was on cloud nine the rest of the weekend and once home I immediately set out to learn his famous tune Classical Gas to play for him the next time we saw each other… And lastly, I was playing at Starbucks back in 2010 or so here in Jax Beach and looked up to see Tim Reynolds – of the Dave Matthews band and TR3. He was waiting until I finished my tune, then came up, shook my hand and said that sounds beautiful. Another jaw-dropping, humbling moment for me. He gave me comp tickets to his show the next night and in front of hundreds gave me a big ole shout-out – a moment when the entire room turns to look at you – SO COOL!! I’ll never forget it… Thank you, TR!
What area bands or musicians are at the top of your list to go out to hear?
KLOB – man, tight band – if they’re still around -very Beatle-ish but jazz, listenable, danceable soulful. As far as local guitarists go, I think Taylor Roberts is the guy – who plays anything on a 7 string guitar, a walking jukebox; that reference is so old school I should probably say a walking live-stream, haha!! One of the better local players, for sure; arguably the best.
Do you have a favorite venue that you enjoy playing locally?
Blue Jay Listening Room – the anticipated gig of the future for me; Cara Murphy is bound to hire me once she sees my current show, laughs! Beaches Museum Concert Series, I’ve opened for artists at this local venue, a wonderful hall, with great people, Chris Hoffman and team! I believe I’m worthy of an opener at the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall – or a full show!
Do you have any gigs coming up to tell our readers about?
I’m for hire; seriously, I’ve been working on three different programs highlighting the awesome Harp Guitars I play….. One for a general audience, the other for a more historical bent crowd and a final one for high schools and university-level guitar classes.
Drop me a line at stacyhobbs.net and we can chat about my offerings.
What is the best way for musicians to network?
I’m probably not the best person to ask! As a solo artist, I tend to hide away alone in the woodshed Social media is probably the way to go – in all its forms.
That being said, I still believe you should go out to the places you’d like to play, support the venue and artist, chat with them during breaks, allow yourself some time for the owner to understand you’re not a jerk, then present your pitch to them when the time feels appropriate! It may take a month or more…be patient, be kind.
Are there any local venue owners/managers that you would like to rave about?
Without a doubt, Cara Murphy, – owner/proprietor of the Blue Jay Listening Room – she’s bringing in major players and providing a “listening room” atmosphere for our Jax Beach audiences! And it hasn’t been easy for her as you may imagine, we should all support the Blue Jay Listening Room!!
If you had a question you would like to ask another musician what would it be?
Do you believe listening to music tuned to 432 hz is more beneficial or makes a difference to a person’s natural health than tuning to 440 hz?
Personal hobbies or interests? Family?
I have a boy – well, a young man now at 22, Gabriel. He lives in VA, plays the keyboard and helps run a tree-cutting business. Life is good!
As for hobbies, I have become a fan of surfing, and photography, and I’m a nature lover at heart!
I think playing clawhammer banjo is a hobby for me, I get such joy out of it, and only know a handful of tunes. I’ve never had to teach it, so that is a relief in and of itself, laughs.
I just purchased a cello from my friend Bob Hartman for my 59th birthday. I have always loved the sound of a cello and look forward to expanding my musical horizons. I suspect it will be my own personal hobby in the near future…
What’s the best thing for you about living on the First Coast?
The beach, surf, tides, wildlife, intercostal, trails, and sunrises. The variety of outdoor activities and festivals available. The food around here is great and varied!! People are friendly and fun-loving here and the surrounding towns…
Where and how can folks learn more about you and/or your band? Links to your website?
I have an online presence, albeit mostly limited to my website….www.stacyhobbs.net, with lot’s of music and videos to check out! you can search YouTube – I have a channel there, stop by, check it out and subscribe!
Is there anything else that you want to tell everyone reading this?
Well – if you’re a musician – be a lifer, whatever your age, and commit to your instrument by playing every day possible, for the rest of your life – it’s the only way, really. If you’re a guitar player – check your ego, there will always be better and worse guitar players than you no matter what your level is. I’ve been playing 43 years and there are 12-year-old kids on youtube playing circles around me, laughs! To the listeners out there – THANK YOU, you make music possible; here’s how – you know the old joke if a tree falls in the forest does it make a sound? The correct answer is no – it makes vibrations that turn to sound only upon contact with a receptor – i.e. your eardrum! Without your ears (and hearts and souls) there would be almost no reason at all to go through the enormous effort of instrument mastery, so, on behalf of all performing artists, thank you.
Are you currently working on any special projects or recordings?
Yes, thanks for asking; I have been exploring the possibilities of sound healing. It started with the premise that if we use ultrasonic waves to break up kidney stones, why not use sound to break up other unwanted cells/matter. Turns out everything has a resonant frequency – and a team of scientists has used a technique to “blow up” cancer cells by using the resonant frequency of the cancer cell. So they’re doing it, right now in 2024. It’s just not lucrative for big pharma so we’re not hearing about it! I believe we can apply the same theory to the protein that forms and prevents synapses from firing in dementia patients….if not, we back into a harmonic frequency and create sound which prevents the actual formation of these proteins.
In my limited research I have found that certain low frequencies when may afford the medication used to treat Alzheimer’s patients a 20-30 minute window of opportunity to get to the brain and begin to work. This is another approach… My hope – and another theory – is to create frequencies (string pitch) to harmonize with the “base” frequency that prevents the formation of the Amyloid Beta protein ; tune my harp guitar to these specific frequencies and create a sound recording that specifically prevents formation of the Amyloid Beta protein. This could be life-altering for future generations with known dementia in family history… I am currently looking for a philanthropist interested in helping find an unorthodox way to prevent Alzheimer’s in dementia patients. Contact me through stacyhobbs.net if interested…let’s chat!
Based on your interest in music therapy, what are you thoughts on tuning to a standard of 432 hz instead of 440 Hz?
Thank you for bringing that topic up – I buy into it, believing that instruments tuned to a standard pitch of 432 Hz resonate at a more natural frequency, often related to Schumanns Resonance – or the resonance of the earth’s core, thought to be 7.83 Hz. Now I have asked professional musicians about this and most have told me “I can’t really hear the difference” and I believe this to be the exact point – we are affected at the most minute level of subatomic vibrations, unbeknownst to self! Studies have shown music tuned to 432 Hz played to a “control” group of people lowered their blood pressure, and heart rate, and reduced the production of Cortisol, the stress hormone. I have all my instruments tuned at standard 432 instead of 440 Hz – that may be the reason I keep getting kicked out of bands, lol!
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Mike is a native First Coaster and was a leading figure in surfing and skateboarding for most of his life. After promoting music for many years on the local music scene, Mike now brings a unique perspective to FirstCoast.Life as a contributing writer.
