Welcome To My About Page

I was born with an eye disease that left me blind and quite hard of hearing by age 10. As I write this, I'm 58 years old. I can't hear without hearing aids, but the beat still goes on in my head. My thumbs are next to useless but my love for music remains strong. Here you can learn about my story. It does have a happy ending.

When I was very young, my mom triggered my love for music. She would buy me records both the 45s and 33s or long play LP. and I'd play them over and over on a little record player in my room. My older brother exposed me to the cool music of the day like Rush and Kiss. Mom tended more to the songs from the top 40. In those days that was played on the AM radio when we were in the car. I remember us singing along with the pop songs of the 70s.

When I was around 9 years old, I remember dad came home with an acoustic guitar for me. I can still smell it. I ran my hands over it. I'd like to tell you that I took that guitar to my room and figured out how to play but frankly I'm not that kind of musician. I had to learn from others and I didn't know anyone that could teach me. I don't know what ever happened to that guitar.

When I was around 10 years old I began a new chapter in my life. I then began attending a school for the blind. It was a boarding school. This didn't thrill me. Sharing a room with two other guys I didn't know. Eating food that certainly wasn't up to mom's standards or to my tastes. It didn't take long to realize that there was something quite different here. The kids in that residence listened to country music. I mean the hard core country. Artists like: George Jones, Hank Williams senior and Charley Pride. I walked in with my 8 track tapes of kiss, Rush and other hard rock of the day. Some of us did agree on some music such as the Beach Boys. To say the least though, there was quite a clash. This was when the seed of love for country music was planted.

In time I learned to enjoy country music. I like to think that some of my buddies also got to enjoy rocking on with Rush. I still love Charley Pride. I believe that he's not only a great singer but one of the nicest people out there. A real gentleman. John Denver, Glen Campbell and so many others followed.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my old rock but when it comes to me playing, my heart goes more to country. The songs I write always lean to country. I particularly like love songs. They just make me feel good. Sort of soft and squishy inside.

As the years went on my love for guitar never died. It was always something I knew I'd learn someday when the time was right. That time began in earnest in my last year of college. My girlfriend didn't know what to get me for Christmas. I decided then that it was time. I said if she wanted to chip in some money, I was going to buy myself a guitar and finally take lessons. It was the only thing I wanted for Christmas. I must have been 21 then.

The local music store set me up with a guitar and a great teacher. I took lessons weekly for about a year. I learn the various basic chords and some strumming patterns. Finger picking came easily to me. I didn't use a pick much in those days. I would strum with my index finger and pick with my thumb and next 3 fingers. I loved the rich tones that came from that guitar. I kept playing those same old chords for decades. I didn't know any of the fancy stuff but I could sing along to songs I'd learn.

After college I ended up getting a job with a large organization. It was there that I literally wore out my thumbs. Being blind I use software to read the text on the screen. I always pushed myself to be the best that I could be. This meant being very fast on the reading keys to try to keep up with my sighted co-workers.

I used my thumbs thousands of times a day. The Hand Specialist told me that I have 100 year old hands on a young body. The pain was too much. I could hardly eat. Holding a fork was too hard. I had to stop working to reduce the pain. The only way to stop the pain is to not use my thumbs. That ended my career. I lost everything. My house and all that was in it. I did have one of my guitars. I slipped back to a life of poverty. Yes, all that hard work for nothing.

I couldn't play the guitar for more then a few minutes at a time without a great deal of pain. Both hands were impacted. The left hand which squeezes the neck. It was just too hard on my thumb. Forget using my right thumb to pick those bass notes. That too was too painful after only a few minutes. Even an electric guitar didn't have a light enough touch.

The years continued to pass and I finally decided that I was going to play the guitar again. There was only one way that I could do so. I had to learn to play flat on my lap. Everything was different. My hands coming at the guitar piano style had everything upside down and backwards. Simple chords I knew back then were completely different. I had to put away all the knowledge I had previously and just start from scratch again. I was driven. Then I didn't really have a plan. I just wanted to learn to play.

No one could show me where to place my fingers. I just had to figure it out. I worked on scales and chords for hours every day. I learned that my left thumb could lightly rest against the edge of the neck and I could pick using a softer pick. I had to do most of the work with my right index finger while that thumb was just there to help hold the pick. My thumb didn't have to move and there was little pain. I knew I was on to something.

For the first two years I'd set my alarm for 3 AM and I'd play until 7. Eventually 3 AM was changed to 4. Now I get up at 5 and practice. The mornings is the time for the electric guitar with headphones. The evenings is when I play my acoustic. One does need to have consideration for others who'd rather sleep.

Day after day I'd practice. Things slowly began coming together. I am not one that learns music easily. I have to struggle for every note.

Memorizing lyrics takes me a long time. Even songs I write. I am not a natural musician. I knew if I wanted it I had to work at it. I did so. Every day, mornings were my times for learning skills. The day time was for relearning songs and a bit of singing. Mom always said that I'm very stubborn. I guess it is true. In time, lots and lots of time, it paid off. I can play for hours with only minimal pain. There will always be pain but that's a price I'm glad to pay to be able to perform music for you.

I began thinking about what I wanted to do with my music. I want to give people the chance to feel the emotions I feel when I play. The feelings I feel when I listen to a song. Music is so powerful. Music can make me happy or a bit sad. It can make me laugh with pleasure and melt my heart. It can make me move or remain still and relax. This is what I want to do with my life. Share my music and help you enjoy yourself. If I can reach that goal, then my life has not been wasted.

Being blind I dread the thought of going on the road. It's one thing when you have the nice bus and high end hotels. It's another to think about sitting in the back of a car buried under equipment for hours a day. I can't even drive myself to local venues. As much as I'd love to shake hands and hug fans, this isn't practical for a one blind man band. I decided that I' would gradually acquire the necessary equipment to put on shows from my little studio. This took a long time and I will improve equipment as I go along. Now it doesn't matter where you are you can enjoy one of my live shows right there in the comfort of your own home.

Why Winegarden Music?

I am not political in any way. I suppose I get tired of people trying to tell me how to think or what I should feel. I needed a place where I could go to just enjoy myself. This is when the idea of Winegarden Music came to be. It is a family rated safe place where we can come together and sing and sway or tap a toe and feel comfortable in knowing that it's all about feeling good and enjoying a shared love of music. Some old songs, some new songs, My original songs. Just to simply feel good. If I can do that for you, I've reached up and touched the stars.

To this end, I have developed this website. I have an email list that you can join. This email list is the best method for me to keep you informed of shows, song releases and a whole lot more.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this page. I hope it helped you learn a bit about me. I look forward to meeting you in the Winegarden Music safe haven.

Your friend
Michael Winegarden.