OregonTom is a MVP Candidate from the Mackie forums - makers of his beloved D8b console. He's a lead guitarist for the rock band Hanje who is fed up with the decline of musicianship in modern music.

What is your background?

I started private music lessons at the age of 4. I was in my first working band at age of 7. I have a degree in computer science and write software and am one of the owners of Grandflow.com, a media supplier, software company, and multimedia studio based in Livermore, CA with offices in Washington, Oregon, and Utah. I have been lead guitarist for the rock band Hanje since 1970 and we continue to record with a fan base that is primarily Europe. I release solo albums every few years. I play all string instruments, keyboards, and drums. You can find my work (Tom Allen) or Hanje on any of the major download sites such as iTunes, or media on cdbaby.com or www.grandflow.com for the software side.

How did you get started in music and what advice would you give to someone who just started?

I got started very young by my parents and would encourage parents to start their children young so they can grasp the theory of music, learning to play by ear is great but knowing how music works gets you more paying gigs.

Who are your musical influences and what genre do you listen to most?

I listen to Classic Rock bands, Old Original Journey, Neal Schon (shared a stage with him alot in the 70's), and I also love fusion artists, DiMeola, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin - but I tend to stay with older artists as I feel (in) today's music, there are no true lead guitarists anymore, sad.

What's your inspiration?

My inspiration has always been stages in my life, where am I today, what happened this year, etc. Also, love of nature and animals as well as love for my wife.

What's your motivation for helping people out on forums?

Well, the best one is to teach about what you do well and also improve the quality of recordings our there for the prosumers.

What's your favorite piece of gear and why? What gear do you use?

Favorite guitar is my 1962 Strat, but I have quite the large vintage guitar and amp and drum collection. I love my Mackie D8b console the most though. What a nice invention.

What are your favorite sources for gear-related information?

The forums for sure, from the users and pros rather than marketing slather. Also, gear review sites from end users are great.

What's the best music related advice you've ever given?

Practice.

What's the best music related advice you've ever received?

Practice and have your own style, don't try to sound like anyone.

What's the best and worst thing about being a musician?

Best are the perks (house in the mountains, coast, fast exotic cars, etc), worst are the favors asked from people you thought wanted to know you for you not what you can do for them

What is the best and worst thing about online forums?

Best is you meet a great group of users, worst is some kid infiltrates the site and thinks they know it all and causes rudeness and nonsense.

What music-related topic do you think is most neglected on forums?

Lack of lead guitarists in todays music or solos all together.

Anything else you would like voters to know? Any interesting music related stories?

NO shared stories, I keep my rock star friends in my pocket as they prefer, never kiss and tell, and my posts are usually thanks for the help when I am stuck with something, lol. I pipe in to help when I can but there are far more talented engineers than I. The Mackie forum is exceptional, met some new good trusting friends.