Simon Hosford isn’t just a jack of all trades, but he’s pretty close to the master of them as well. As a guitarist, songwriter, producer and mentor Hosford has worked with everyone from Tommy Emmanuel to Men At Work and most artists in between. A new string to his bow will be appearing at the Melbourne Guitar Show in early August, with a crack band playing Van Halen’s debut album from 1978 in full track order.
With some much talent at his disposal Hosford likes to mix up his producing, session work and writing duties, but dreaming his own dreams is what really excites him. “Obviously it’s more personally rewarding doing my own stuff. If I could do my own thing all of the time would be ideal.”
Not that Hosford is complaining about some of the work he has been doing in music since he first began playing as a child and into his teen years as his talents for guitar grew and the call on his services intensified.
“I played guitar from a young age. And you’re a sponge. I remember very well thinking there is a bottomless pit musically.” Hosford started out playing classical music but quickly branched out into different styles with rock, classic rock the focus.
One of Hosford’s most recent projects, that is on-going is a web-based guitar coaching system called Unleash Your Guitar, which to Hosford is all about passing on his vast knowledge of guitars, effects, and techniques to other budding guitarists young and old.
“For me, it’s a way to give back. I’ve been doing this long enough now to be able to give back. I’ve been teaching since I was a teenager and generally the things people want to know or learn tend to be the same sorts of things.”
Unleash Your Guitar and a new book Hosford is working on will be user-friendly and aimed at guitarists of any ability or age and feature handy tips and hints about everything from warming up your hands before playing to hitting incredible guitar solos. “People can ask a question on social media and I can get back to them straight away with advice.”
Hosford really hit is straps and gained a significant reputation during the 1990s when he played with Men At Work over a number of years and was involved in some of their biggest tours ever.
“We did a five-week tour of Brazil, because although the band was big there in the 80s they never toured there. The crowd went mad. Colin Hay liked things to be done right. He has a standard he wanted to reach. And they were full-on shows. But he was always flexible too. He would always give me big solos to do.”
Another legendary Aussie artist Hosford worked with was Tommy Emmanuel; an ultra-talented guitarist and yet with no airs and graces and down to earth enough to always wanting to be teaching and encouraging others.
“I toured the USA and Europe with Tommy in the early to mid-90s and he has no tickets on himself at all. He’s happy to work on any level. He spent a lot of time giving back. Our schedule was brutal back then yet at every gig we did he would always do a casual masterclass workshop around sound check or so for 20 or so guitarists. He did that all the time.”
Hosford has experienced sessions and live gigs with a host of great musicians over the years who have all given him a different perspective and different instructions as a guitarist.
“It really depends who it is. Some want me to play note for note like the record. And some say give it your own personality. The Little River Band wanted it just like the record. Whereas Colin was flexible so it always varies.”
Hosford and his impressive band can’t wait to play Van Halen’s debut record track by track, a concept that is unique to the Guitar Show and almost coincides with the 40th anniversary of that album. “Last year was the 40th anniversary of that album. But it didn’t end up happening last year. So this year we’ll be playing track by track. Bands are generally yearning for the older stuff. And what they grew up with.”
The Melbourne Guitar Show will feature a fine array of diverse acts and talents with something for everyone.
“There will prog rock guys there, classical, rock. There will be performances all weekend.”
And like comedians who get punters coming up to them and telling them jokes, with guitarists Hosford has found it’s usually the technical side of things that most fans want to talk about.
“People tell me which pedal I need or which guitar to play. I tend to get a lot of gear advice.”
The Melbourne Guitar Show is coming to Caulfield Racecourse on Saturday August 3 and Sunday August 4. Tickets available via TryBooking.
Written by Chris Michaels