Diary of a Music Madman

11/20/2025

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Central Florida Metallica Tribute band hailing from Ocala is now set to ROCK Venues all over!!

Coming to a city near you!!!!

09/03/2025

What a great watch this was…
David Gilmour is a legend.. and Rick Beato gets down to it in this interview!

In this episode, I once again sit down with David Gilmour to talk about his prolific career as one of the most influential guitarists of all time. This time ...

08/18/2025

August 18- Music Monday!!!!!

I find myself looked in my studio working on my Dentallica set and pinpointing parts of songs that could trip me up in live settings.

So many intricacies thrown in, if you miss just one note you can get run over and totally lose your place.
I have faked some parts- actually HAVE played them correctly but faked certain picking patterns to get through.
I am finding that I keep striving to be better and sometimes it’s just about getting in the trenches and fighting it out.
In all my years playing with people , and some really good players.. Dr. Jamie Amir and Simon Amir make playing this stuff look easy.

As a teacher , I’d suggest being honest with your flaws and single them out- get better at them. Work on what challenges you not what’s easy.

08/12/2025

Two for Tuesday!!!!

It has been a bit since last posting but I am gonna tell two things that have been going on musically for me.

Dentallica- yes Dentallica... we been building a nice action packed setlist- including Metallica favorites, Creeping Death, Blackened and Master of Puppets. Its been taking a toll on my forearms and wrist getting up to speed )literally but its been a good challenge and I can only get better.

Lessons- I have been teaching again and have aquired some fresh newbies of all ages. it is really satisfying, being a part of and directing someone as they explore the world of music.
If you have ever wanted to take music lessons or know someone how does, direct them to me. I can at least point them in the right direction, and make a case for why someone would and should take instrument lessons.

Have a great Day!!!!

07/22/2025

Ozzy has passed and it’s very sad this day has come. His music, his influence and his guitarists made me appreciate music on so many levels.

I titled this page because of Diary of a Madman album….

You had an amazing career and I am glad you got to be a part of that great show in your honor.

You will be Flying High Again—- this time with the angels….

07/16/2025

Whew- worked on some more songs to add to the setlist- lots of pushing the physical limits—-
But each session gets easier-

Disposable Heroes
Symphony of Destruction
Fade to Black
Sanitarium
Tornado of Souls
For Whom The Bell Tolls
Wherever I May Roam

07/13/2025

Heading into Dentallica practice today- if all this hard work this week pays off!!!

07/09/2025

There was a time this was very true- not so much these days.
Maybe my students will benefit from a little shock here and there… jk
I did used to say the strings were electric , oh and also could blow up if you hit a wrong note!

07/08/2025

Diary Journal 7/8/2025…
Been a few tough days of crash coursing Metallica tunes for my new gig with Dentallica!!!
My forearms are beat my finger raw… but it’s such a good refresher and chop builder.
Throwing down on the bass non stop made teaching my guitar students so much easier…
It was like my acoustic was a toy—-

Like a song you hear? Learn it…
Find an isolated track- play along to legit tabs.
Play along to the tracks minus the instrument you are playing along with.

Dissect the tune, what makes it tick? What key..
If you, like me are learning a particular bands music, you will notice tendencies and themes- making the other tunes even easier to figure out and conquer!!!!

James the Musical Madman

07/08/2025

Looks Like its a SHORTEST STRAW type of day....
Learning that is....https://youtu.be/G1ZxoBk56jQ?si=VXHPe-ST2c3ysY8a