Steve, his brother and Jerry Wooten were the neighborhood band "Three" when I was growing up. Then Dixie Grit with Andy. When I "ran away from home" I went to Steve's house. His mom said I had to ask my mom first, so Andy came by in his Volkswagen, grabbed us and we drove to Atlanta to hear The Who. I took Steve skydiving and he loved it. "Free Fall" and he was a professional pilot for a couple years. Every album they did was nominated for a "Best Instrumental" Grammy

Steve, your compositions have given me great great joy for nearly 50 years, so I want to offer my deepest condolences for your loss. For all the joy you have given me, i want you to know my heart aches for your pain. Thank you Steve

Purpindicular (Morse’s 1st with Purple) turned out to be one of the best albums in the Purple discography.

@hubbsllc

3 жыл бұрын

Oh man - I heard "Sometimes I Feel Like Screaming" on Sirius XM one day having no idea who it was and just freaked out over it.

@hiddennotesberlin

2 жыл бұрын

agreed

@ginjazz2836

Жыл бұрын

Absolutely! Great record

Great interview! High Tension Wires is still my all time favorite.

@sethcashman1011

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. One of my all time favorite albums.

@reidmcclure1438

3 жыл бұрын

Mine too!

@abfranklin8492

3 жыл бұрын

Yup, it's a masterpiece. Steve is treasure. Great guy and humble, too.

I don't mind admitting as a black male living in the UK and way over 50 that I love Steve Morse and have been a fan virtually all my life. My condolences goes out to him and his family for the bereavement of his beloved wife.

Steve is so present and into it, as if this was his first interview ever. It really comes across so well. :-)

I met Steve and Rod and the guys in Dixie Dreggs early before their show at Texas Opry house in Houston...super nice. Stwve had his Tele body with the Strat neck, and in the hours we were there before the show, I never saw him take it off, he was playing unplugged the while time...talking, walking, playing. He and Rod gave me WHAT IF which had not come out for sale yet. It was memorable. They were still in a van, but it was quite a van!!

My single biggest influence as a guitarist and composer. Always giving such thoughtful answers in a humble countenance that belies the true depth of his genius. Many musicians can make you want to be a better musician, but few can make you want to be a better human. Steve does. Thank you, Dom!

@P3t3rPizzarelli

3 жыл бұрын

Ron Jeremy!

@johnkru1295

3 жыл бұрын

Yup. An amazing, talented, humble and good person. Seen the Dregs and SMB about 30 times, mostly at Toad's in New Haven, CT.

@wesworach7441

3 жыл бұрын

My absolute Guru & a Guitar Hero from 1980 !!! ...

Steve has been a great inspiration for me for 35 years as a guitarist.

Great guitar player a living legend.🎸

I got to see Steve play with the Dregs, then met him later at the NAMM show in L.A., then stood next to him while watching Eddie Van Halen play at a Kramer guitars exhibition also in L.A. Always a nice bloke.

Steve is on the highest level!

KZread, thanks for suggesting. Dom, thanks for delivering. Steve, thanks for being. Comments below say everything better than I can ever imagine.

Steve's being 100% honest I like that you only hear it from a lot of any interviews

This might be the best interview with Steve Morse I’ve ever viewed!

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Steve's a great Artist & person & enjoyed interviewing him!

A guitarist's guitarist. Thanks Steve for all the great music.... from a lifelong Dixie Dregs fan

wow!!! Thats exactly how i discovered black sabbath 1970! Heard on my brothers tv and i grabbed that tape recorder and recorded electric funeral and hand of doom! Now I play guitar, And Steve Morse has been one of my youtube teachers!

That opening reference to My Father's Place (Roslyn, NY) took me back. I was too young to go to the shows - I think the drinking age in NY was 18 back then. Fortunately WLIR broadcast at least one show live. I made a cassette recording and probably still have it. Time to go digging!

I, too, at a young age was sitting in front of the b/w tv, after mom called me in the room to watch the beatles - as millions of other kids were treated the same way at the same time on the same day. Thanks mom.

Steve is just freakin amazing!! My brother and I went through the same thing, group lessons, solo lessons the learning from records. Brings back memories!!😊

A gracious, intelligent and awesome man of integrity... thank you, Steve Morse!

@reidmcclure1438

3 жыл бұрын

Indeed! You’ve captured his essence well! Steve has taken those traits and incorporated them into his music. His composition skills are off the charts. His power of empathy is a revelation! It’s amazing to me how active a musician Steve is! Think about it. Steve Morse Band, Dregs reunions, Flying Colors, Deep Purple, Angelfire with Sarah Spencer, Living Loud, time with Kansas, numerous solo efforts on the Magna Carta label, duets with various Classical guitarists (Manuel B.) Just an awesome career that still is going so strong!

@AGDinCA

3 жыл бұрын

@@reidmcclure1438 Indeed! He's so clearly intelligent, a trait I highly value. He's well-rounded in his interests, as he shows in his love of flying and dedication to his small farm. Yet, what impresses me most is his humility. I've not once heard anything from him that even hints at an ego.

Steve Morse playing 99 Tears is Classic ! We High school musicians from the 60's cut our teeth on 99 Tears. If we could find a guy rich enough to have a Vox or Farfisa Organ. Lol

I saw the Dregs at MFP a few times, they killed me, Rod Morganstein killed me, also saw Steve with Deep Purple too... great interview Dom

Been a fan since the early 80's. Never saw him in band unfortunately. I did however , attend a Clinic Steve did in Germany (Heidelberg area I lived in for 6 years) in the mid 90's. Met and chatted with him afterword. He is a cool cat that simply enjoys being there , playing music and talking music with fans. Got an autograph he signed to my daughter. I was taken aback when he signed it left handed. Steve is a lefty who plays righty.

I was so very lucky to attend the University of Miami at the same time as Steve Morse. I can't tell you the countless times I enjoyed his music at University functions and at the old UofM Rathskeller. I was also lucky enough to attend his senior recital. I have followed his career all these years and I'm so glad that he has retained his exuberant attitude and glowing personality. Great musician... fantastic human being!!

My old guitar teacher in Upstate NY made me learn Cruise Missile in 1994 when I was 19. It was my introduction to Steve Morse. I wanted to keep on with Zeppelin, Hendrix, Clapton, Allmans et al. But he was adamant I learn it. I kicked my ass, but it was a spring board for all that followed. It was like a Mr. Myagi technique. Fast Forward and my Jazz teacher in NC used to be in a band with Jerry Peek before he joined up with Steve and played bass on that song.

@aschule5684

Жыл бұрын

That's awesome, good job from your teacher that's a great song, bet you were glad for it after the fact?! Jerry Peek is great bass player, I think the last I heard of him he's now a car salesman or dealer or something if that's true that's very sad........

I feel incredibly lucky to have picked Steve Morse as a major inspiration and role model way back when I was about 16 years old in the 80s. His music, philosophy, humor, humility and intellectual horsepower continue to motivate me as much in 2021 as they did in 1986 when I first saw him play live and my jaw hit the floor.

@reidwhitton6248

2 жыл бұрын

Amen! I discovered Steve while reading copies of GP magazine in high school library back in the late 70s. A few years later I bought my first Dregs album and that was it!

My cousin who played bass like no other, someone imitating a sound between Jaco pastorius and Alfonso Johnson played on a fretless fender Jazz Bass that he made fretless himself, introduce me well I was living with him for 6 months to Dixie drinks just two months before they were to break up officially as a band, f****** amazing

Guitar World without Steve would be incomplete !!! Musical Genius & definitely my Number 1 Guitar Hero & a Guru !

I want to hold your hand is actually my favourite Beatles song. I can really relate to Steve's enthusiasm. Quality of recording was of that time but the music connected. That was why I have played for 43 years. This is great.

This is one of the best interviews I've ever seen. The interviewer lets Steve talk and explain things without being cut off a la Eddie Trunk. Great job.

@lonewolf1053

Жыл бұрын

Eddie Trunk makes the interview about himself and how great friends he is with the musician...annoying AF... you are so correct in your comment..Steve Morse rocks!

Thanks for this video. LOVE Steve Morse.

i knew steve from those early days. he could wheelie his bike for blocks. i remember him quitting the clarinet and the band teacher telling him he was a quitter who would never amount to anything. i remember him going to see the who. they played at a little club near the old greyhound bus station in ann arbor, mi.

As a college music student, I met Steve Morse at a workshop he did in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which ironically was where Steve had lived as a child and took his first guitar lessons! He was touring with Kansas at that time. He was so affable and giving of his time. He was (is) very smart, generous, talented, unassuming, and friendly. I never forgot it. What an inspiring man he is! I am so grateful to him for all he did for us in the audience that day.

@dumpygoodness4086

3 жыл бұрын

HE PLAYED SOME SPIRIT!!! (Their first 4 albums are arguably THE best American rock band EVER.) (EX: Jimmy Page and Robert Plant said they worshipped SPIRIT!)

@philipmikolsmusic

3 жыл бұрын

I was at the same workshop. It was in the auditorium at Ypsilanti High School. Everyone there was just blown away by Steve's awesomeness.

Great interview. Love Steve Morse first heard Dixie Dregs around 1978, some high school buddies got me into them. Seems like quite a humble guy for being one the greatest guitar players ever.

What a great interview. Thank you both! I saw the Dixie Dregs at My Fathers Place in the 80’s. What a blessing to have been there at that time and place (aging aside!)!

what a fantastic interview, thanks for this...too funny how he heard Pat Metheny at Miami and thought "the bar is too high I can't hang" because Metheny said that exact same thing when he was there about Morse lol

Dom, just wanted to say your channel is fantastic and your enthusiasm is infectious 🤓

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, thank you! We appreciate your support & sharing so we can bring many more Artists to you!

I first met Steve on the early part of The Purpendicular tour. He came out after the gig to chat and sign things for the fans, lovely guy. Purple played for well over two hours and Steve asked us if we thought they were all jamming too much, and we said no, we loved the jamming because Purple was always about improvising, which he was pleased with because he enjoyed doing that on stage. One of my idiot friends only had the In Rock CD for Steve to sign and Steve said, "But I'm not on that one!" and my idiot friend shrugged, "That's all I've got," so Steve drew a little cartoon of himself amongst the Mount Rushmore heads and signed it for him, which was very gracious of him. Nice man.

@TheSessionsPanel

2 жыл бұрын

Funny story! Thanks for sharing & watching...please subscribe to our channel to help us bring you more interviews!

Steve is a legend!!!

What a joy this was to watch and listen to! Steve is one of my favorite artists on this mortal coil. And I don’t think I’ve met a nicer person than he.

I wish I could be so humble.

My biggest influence in music! electric and classical. and a great human being!

Amazing composer! Exceptional guitarist! Priceless human being! And Steve is an Aerobatics pilot with a commercial rating!!!:-) Making the most of life! My hero!:-)

great person in many dimensions and top guitar player saw him many times on stage with DEEPPURPLE

I met and saw Steve and Allan Holdsworth a few times in the 80’s and 90’s, and they were both super nice guys, and were very patient with all my annoying questions. They are both the reason why I decided to be a professional musician. It wasn’t just their playing, but their attitude and professionalism. Thanks Steve(and Allan)!!!

Morse is genius, and probably ADHD. His creativity is endless. But well grounded. “The way that I go out of this world is important.” “I feel a great responsibility about how I influence people.” WOW!

He is such a great composer - just listen to Divided We Stand - all the counterpoint and dynamics, it is outstanding

@aschule5684

Жыл бұрын

Love that song...... Saw The Dregs on the Unsung Heroes tour twice, and actually got to meet Steve and Andy West and got autographs def a high point in my life!

Steve Morse is a master Guitarist

Steve Morse is by far one of the most talented guitarists ever. Not going to talk about how versatile he is as a musician. His song from his album High Tension Wires called Highland Wedding is so beautiful. My brother bugged me for years to find out who played that song. Play Modoc, Enndless Waves, Tumeni notes to hear a guitar master who should be recognized as one the best guitarists ever. Alex Lifeson from Rush said the most inspirational guitarist he ever saw was Steve Morse. High praise.

"5 time overall best guitarist"- Guitar Player Magazine, Steve Morse! Always many comments about non pro guitarists, having met him, and confirming what a great person he is. While at Stetson U. FLA, (classical guitar major) I too was able to meet and talk to him. He took pictures with me, very generous with his time. I enjoy hearing about Juan Mercadal. His right hand, too me, was so great. It has taken its toll. Would anyone be able to tell me how he is now? When I saw him having to change his pick grip, it broke my heart. Dave LaRue and I taught at S.U community school of music. Peace all!

He has a very interesting back-story and a very down-to-Earth and cool person.

Steve is so amazing & humble

I remember when Steve left the music business to go on as a pilot, it was in guitar player magazine and I didn't understand at the time, his decision. I really like Steve's playing, so talented in many genres and he seems to be a great guy. I remember his tele with many mods and a strat neck, he did what Eddie Van Halen did, couldn't find exactly what he was looking for so he put different parts and pieces together until he was satisfied. Great video. Thank you.

@tomcoryell

10 ай бұрын

I was in the same era. It really saddened me when Steve quit the business, but I also understood.

This guy is just awesome!

I like Steve, great guitarist, such a nice guy.

Steve's one of my favorite guitarists, and he creates the best song and album titles ever.

Great Interview. Steve Morse, Sublime guitarist and songwriter, Rock star, farmer, ditch digger, pilot, businessman, mechanic, handyman, and all round nice guy. What a star!!

What a great human being!

@bartrobinson2103

Жыл бұрын

My thoughts exactly

Normally, interviewing musicians is uneventfull. Yet, Morse is supremely gifted as an artist and highly intellectual. Well worth listening to him articulate his personal narrative.

So laid-back it's so cool I've watched Steve Vai interviews also cool and Bruce Dickinson

What a great guy and one hell of a composer / guitarist

I will add my first Steve experience- when I heard him play Highland Wedding at Club Bene in Sayreville, NJ, for a brief moment, I wasn't sure if I should sell my guitars or practice more. His level of playing is humbling, and certainly puts things in perspective! It was a wake-up call and a gift. Thank you, Steve, and cannot thank you enough!

Yes, yes and yes. Very true. I've been a fan of his since the 70s. Big influence. Got to see him with Deep Purple at 5 Point. Vunderbarrrrrr. Technically, I notice he uses his forearm for faster picking, that I've always done, but Edward used his wrist, but both turn the guitar pick to about 45º, so I'm playing with both tactics now.

Thanks for the interview, Dom. Steve Morse, what a beautiful soul he is! Great composer and superb guitarist. 🙏🎼♥️

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

So true Stanley, glad to have him as part of our series!

Thank you Steve Morse and love from India!

@TheSessionsPanel

6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching & sharing our channel in India!

I’m interested in how he recorded his first influences like the Beatles with a reel to reel recorder and a cheap mic. I remember doing the very same thing with jimi Hendrix and dire straits in the 1980s when I was in my teens with a black & white portable tv and a cheap cassette recorder with a condenser mic. Even though it was low quality to me it was just amazing to be able to sit and play along with and enjoy all this great music. It’s amazing where music has led Steve morse & people like him.

The one guy I really want to have a conversation with! I'd like to have Steve Morse give me just 3 things to work on that would improve my playing. Great interview! Great vibes!

Amazing guitarist and human being.

Without a doubt this is one of the greatest interviews ever !!! so inspiring and enlightening !!! specially the last part of Steve saying the huge responsibility folks who are in a position of power and influence have to the rest of the world... Thank You Dom !! Thank You Steve !!!

Great Interview! Thanks guys. Great to see and hear what Steve has to say, I have been a fan since to mid 70's. Steve is a true player's player.

He also played with Kansas, a great guitar player, one of the best

The Steve Morse interview was great. What a nice, grateful, non-egotistical guy. It's like he has proper table manners or something, like his parents done raised him right...plus a total MOFO on the instrument, of course.

@jamesgoddard2321

3 жыл бұрын

I waited outside the theater early before a show on his High Tension Wires tour and he came by for his sound check and chatted with me for about five minutes. Couldn’t have been a more down-to-earth guy. It was kind of weird finding out your idol, who does things that don’t seem humanly possible, could be a nice, regular guy you could have a beer with.

@claudiocruzat8777

3 жыл бұрын

@@jamesgoddard2321 James.. years ago (like 40) he was a "perfect stranger.". So to speak. Even now.

This is so good! This is history not just for guitarists! Teen town and Jaco! This really tied a lot of things together. Law and academia and business. Talking about livelihoods. Ethics. So crucial. We love you Steve! God bless you!

I was in 7th grade with Steve in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was in a band called "The Plague". They started with "Can't Explain" when they played at our school dance. We knew Steve was way ahead of everyone else in our city. He jammed a few times with my band but eventually he moved away and became HUGE!

Just that little bit towards the end, talking about expressing himself when he had a bad day, I remember looking forward to the next album all through the 90s when I was in college. Favorites from High Tension Wires, Southern Steel, Coast to Coast, Structural Damage, and actually discovering Dixie Dregs in reverse, starting with Cruise Control. Saw Steve in duet with Dave LaRue at Georgia Theater in Athens with a beautiful green classical guitar, when he was talking about possibly making an acoustic album on High Street Label which was an offshoot of Windham Hill (I think) and at that show he experimented with improvisation...My first show was at Masquerade in Atlanta and he performed "Dreamland" just after releasing Structural Damage, and Dickie Betts made a cameo. Saw him twice with SMB at Variety Playhouse, once I believe on Halloween night, and remember Dave LaRue being so high energy and virtuosic. Also, reading his wisdom from "Open Ears" articles, applicable not only to musicians but anyone. Thanks for years of inspiration, and as you set out to be, a truly great example.

Thank you for a wonderful interview and the positive outlook that Steve Morse has on life. When I first Met Steve with Dave Larue and Rod Morgenstein in Eugene, Oregon at the Mill Camp, I could not believe that such great music could be made; very tight and exquisite. What an inspiration. I only had albums of the Dixie Dregs and could not imagine how the music is done. Seeing them live is incredible; Anyhow Steve Morse, Dave Larue, and Rod Morgenstein were extremely approachable, superb musicians, and kind. Thank you!!!

Supergiitarist, my hero😊

Steve looks early 50’s at best. 54 tops. Also has younger energy than most rockers his age.

The first time I heard of Steve and heard him was when he came out with Split Decision. I was already listening to a lot of instrumental music from people like Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, and Greg Howe, to mention a few. When I heard Steve play it absolutely blew me away. I went out and bought all his CDs. I then learned about Dixie Dreggs and his playing with bands like Kansas and Deep Purple. What a talent! A genius in my opinion. I've never had the pleasure of meeting Steve but every time I hear Steve talking, whether on an interview or guitar lesson or what have you, he sounds like such a great guy. No ego, just an everyday guy. I can't get enough of his music and would love to hear a new instrumental album from him. Great video!!!

To me, Steve has always been a source of uniquely inspiring music. With him, the phrase “deeds, not words” apply. But now that I finally heard him talk, I’m seeing good-natured, with lots of integrity, humility, intelligence, sticktoitivNes, and a sense of responsibility, that go’s with huge talent! Kinda knew that already just hearing him play! It comes through in the music

After seeing Steve as a musician for all these decades, it is fascinating to see his philosophical side--super smart guy and very down-to-earth.

@jpolls233

3 жыл бұрын

Thought the same thing... Very down to earth. Thanks man.

yeah, that's the way we older guys were taught...:-)

Thank you . Morse is great and one of the nicest in the business

I went to M.I. in the late 80's & Dom gave a couple of clinics. Dom is a beast of a drummer. His clinics would start with a drum solo that would crescendo into absolute amazement of what can be done behind the drums. Myself (bassist), guitarist & drummer were rehearsing "Refried Funky Chicken" by the Dixie Dregs for Instrumental Performance class one night & Dom came in with an instructor & hung for a few minutes. Super cool guy. Same with Steve. I've seen him with The Dixie Dregs, SMB, Deep Purple, clinic's. I've lost count. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Steve Morse cannot play wrong even when he tries 😍 Wonderful musician 🎸🍻

Dom is a great interviewer. He’s so enthusiastic, engaging and charismatic.

Watched then got to meet Steve Morse at a guitar seminar in 1986 in Upstate New York. So humble so approachable he really changed my life when it comes to music and also signed a CD and a picture from a guitar magazine I had of him that for some reason cracked him up he just automatically started laughing when I handed him the picture. It was great! Steve Morse a true maestro love that guy

I was lucky enough to do 2 tv interviews with Steve years ago. Great down to earth guy and one of the most amazing guitarists ever!

Some remarkable statements at 45:30 - I wish more people would be like that. E.g. at 45:49 "if you are in the media or entertainment business, you have a responsibility to make the world better than when you started". My hat off to you Mr Morse.

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed! A powerful & truthful statement!

Folks, these two gentlemen are exponents of humility & maturity. Thanks Dom & Steve for being great role models for so many things, especially honesty & integrity. Easy words to type, much harder to live by. Big fan of both of you & your work, thanks for the massive contribution to art. Dom, as a drummer myself, your playing and approach both amaze & inspire me. Regards from Sydney, Australia. Febuary 2021

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more!

@GlobalDrumming

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! I read these comments and am humbled by your kind words! Enjoy the interviews! Spread the word! Thanks again!

Great!! Steve Morse is one the Best Ever - And Dom as usual does a fantastic job giving back to the music universe, with his excitement and great energy - Thanks!!

@TheSessionsPanel

3 жыл бұрын

Our pleasure! Thanks for watching & sharing!

Hi I'm fan Deep purple and iron maiden and Jimi Hendrix and black Sabbath and blue cheer and my name is latrell I'm 28 year old love music keyboard organ .

What an awesome experience is watching any Steve Morse Interview. Im a huge Fan, of all his work and have absolutely all of his Records, from the rare "The Great Spectacular" limited Signed CD prior to Free Fall, to the Flying Colors ones. How ever, the First SM Record I ever heard was "High Tension Wired" in 89 wich completely High wired me in a different way and made me do a 180 degree turn in guitar playing and appreciation. I feel Steve not only teaches me Music and guitar, but also without me having ever even talked to him Ive learned so much from him in a personal level. Ive gone as far as even Frankensteined or Morsified (still an ongoing process) my music Man Silhouette in the process. Anyways.... i could go on ferever talking about this Giant..... Steve, Im forever Grateful.

Best wishes to Steve and his wife.

Check out Steve's interview with Rick Beato. Another good one!

I wish Steve would work on another Dregs album

I love this guy. Thank you for posting this

Dom is a legend!!!!

@ChickenatorJr

2 жыл бұрын

STEVE TOO!

Thanks, Dom. Steve's music is a huge part of my life, especially the late Dregs and early SMB records. He is a unique voice in music. I was lucky enough to see the original Dixie Dregs lineup in Des Moines a few years ago. He's a hero.