Steve Vai is a living guitar legend. Voted #10 on Guitar World‘s 2012 “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” poll, the axe man was a leader among the talented crop of metal and heavy rock electric guitar masters that came to prominence during the 1980’s. At the age of thirteen, after having purchased his first guitar and begun taking his first lessons with fellow New York native Joe Satriani, Vai became obsessed with the discipline of practice. Vai’s practice routine, consisting of a rigid and structured regiment of ten-to-fifteen hour-a-day practice schedules, became the basis of his work ethic for the rest of his career.Vai got started on his music industry as an 18-year-old transcriptionist for Frank Zappa, and went on to join Zappa’s band for several years before embarking on a decorated solo career. He has also toured with seminal 80’s rock acts like Whitesnake and David Lee Roth, and participated in live projects like Zappa Plays Zappa and “Experience Hendrix,” and has recorded with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Meatloaf, and many more. A thoroughly individual player, Vai’s playing is marked by his technical proficiency and diverse playing techniques, including two-handed tapping, sweep picking, whammy bar acrobatics, and beyondBeyond his own personal playing, Vai is known for his technical innovations in the world of the electric guitar. The Ibanez JEM model that he co-designed (with its trademark body handle) is one of the most iconic instruments in contemporary music. He also designed the first comercially-produced 7-string guitar, the Ibanez Universe, which became virtually ever-present in heavy rock and metal sub-genres throughout the ensuing decade.In honor of his 57th birthday today, take a few minutes to bask in the glory of these classic Steve Vai shred-fests below, like this video of Vai tapping and riffing away on a triple-necked guitar at The Fillmore in Denver on 10/20/03……or this clip of Vai’s shred duel with actor Ralph Macchio from the 1986 film “Crossroads…”Or this clip of Vai and former Ozzy Osborne guitarist Zakk Wylde tag-teaming Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child…”…Or this glamorous live performance of his Alien Love Secrets (’95) instrumental, “Tender Surrender.”Happy birthday, Steve! read more
Batesville, IN— More than 750 students recently graduated from Indiana Connections Academy as part of the Class of 2020 – including McKenzie Collins from Batesville, Ind.The majority of graduates, 66 percent, plan to attend two- or four-year colleges or universities. Additional graduates have plans to attend vocational training programs (10 percent), join the military (two percent) or enter the workforce directly upon graduation (18 percent).During the commencement, family members, friends, teachers and administrators were still able to gather in the digital setting to commemorate the milestone and celebrate the many achievements of the Class of 2020. With the school’s full-time virtual curriculum, seniors at Indiana Connections Academy were able to maintain their education consistently and without interruption during the public health crisis.With the ability to work anywhere there is an Internet connection, students hail from small and large cities in Indiana – including Evansville, Fort Wayne, Franklin, Indianapolis, Martinsville, Shelbyville, South Bend, and more. In total, during the last ten years, more than 3,000 students have now received a diploma from Indiana Connections Academy.Enrollment for Indiana Connection Academy’s 2020 – 2021 school year is now open. With an enrollment cap of 5,000 students, school leaders recommend enrolling immediately, especially for families new to Indiana Connections Academy. Details about upcoming information sessions and other events including dates and locations are available online or by calling 800-382-6010. For more information about Indiana Connections Academy, visit IndianaConnectionsAcademy.com. read more