Today we’d like to introduce you to Neil Swanson.
Hi Neil, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started playing in Deep Ellum bars when I was 15. I played in several “big” DFW area bands that went from selling out clubs and touring the world to falling apart and having to start over again. It was then that I branched out online and entered a few internet-based guitar competitions. I won the Guitar Center Steve Vai sessions contest and was flown to Hollywood to meet with the guitar icon himself! I learned a lot from Vai and entered another contest called “Be My Band”. Winning this worldwide competition put me on stage with platinum-selling guitarist Orianthi (Michael Jackson/Alice Cooper). A couple of weeks later, I received an email from the organizer of the competition, Mr. Dave Stewart from the legendary band “Eurythmics”. He liked my style and asked if I would like to play with his all-star band. For the next couple of years, I joined Dave in performing places like the Hollywood Bowl, Greek theater, and many others.
Things were going great, and after sending a private message to Orianthi just to say hi, she reached out the very next day, inviting me to be her regular guitarist. Playing with Orianthi also afforded me the opportunity to regularly perform with Richie Sambora from Bon Jovi. This was very exciting and my inner teenage self was ecstatic! Orianthi and I became good friends, and I still perform with her to this day. My personal life was also in full swing with the birth of my daughter. It was around that time that I got a call from an old friend and artist manager, who asked me to join with an up and coming rock artist named Diamante. I accepted and things moved fast! We’ve spent the last few years touring arenas and amphitheaters, opening for all the biggest names in rock music. Corporate sponsors started to take notice as well, and I’m now sponsored by some of the largest music gear manufacturers in the world, appearing in advertisements, product demos, and performance clinics. All of this led up to 2020, which found most of us at home instead of touring. I took this time to dive into recording my solo album “Story Of Ro”, a comic book style album that blends rock music and a futuristic sci-fi story into a unique listening experience. The first single was just released in Nov 2020 and the rest will follow. With plans being made for next year and my own vision becoming a reality, I can hardly wait to see what comes next!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a kid, I stayed home Saturday nights and practiced as much as I could. I wanted to be great at guitar, but it was also because I was very socially awkward. It was a tough thing to overcome, but performing on stage forced me out of my shell. Overall, I’ve been fortunate. I grew up with supportive parents, friends, and fans, but you do need a thick skin in the entertainment business. Things rarely go as planned, and I’ve hit a few bumps in the road. For example, one of my first bands I started as a teen was in talks to sign with a major label. But our singer went to prison, leaving us without a product and missing out on a huge opportunity. I’ve learned to embrace these challenges as experienced builders. I’ve made a million mistakes, and I’ll make a million more, but not the same ones twice!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve grown a reputation for standing out as the blond-haired, Texas-raised guitar shredder. I specialize as the guitarist who can play fast and flashy with the best but also knows how to just play the notes that count. I’ve definitely become known for creative thinking and musical diversity, though I personally lean towards the rock genre. Technical skills aside, I think what stands out about me is the ability to stay busy and relevant. I like to keep several lines open and multiple irons in the fire. Eventually, something new gets hot, and I try to be right there when it happens. There’s a reason so few musicians are able to grow outside of their local scene. It boils down to being able to see a bigger picture and not being afraid to risk everything.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
There are all kinds of entertainment, and it’s always fun to see them come together in a new way. I’ve been a fan of science fiction movies, comic books, and video games since I was a kid, and I’ve worked those things into my new solo album. STORY OF RO is like listening to an action sci-fi comic or movie and a killer rock album art at the same time. It’s storyline portrayed by voice actors, sound effects, and cinematic themes is played out in between and within the songs. Of course, there’s plenty of awesome guitar playing, but it’s more than that. It’s a combination of all the entertainment experiences I grew up loving and still do!
Contact Info:
- Email: neilswansonmusic@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.neilswansonofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilswanson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neilswansonofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheSonOfSwan
Image Credits
Alyson Coletta Alexander Bemis
