Aaron Holder. 2009. Photo by Tommy Starr.

What made you want to play guitar?

Well, when I was in the 5th grade (I am in the 8th grade now) I was at a friend’s house where I saw a small guitar sitting in his closet. I dug it out and proceeded to make noise. There was one song on my mind, and every guitarist today wants to play it first: “Smoke On the Water.”

Then, that Christmas my Dad bought me a small amp and a little red Fender Strat. What really added fuel to the fire was when I first watched “The Song Remains the Same.”

I was hooked.

Are you self taught or do you take lessons?

With new guitar in hand, my Dad took me to Bowling Green, the lessons I took there were too structured, and I didn’t enjoy it. I only took lessons there for about two months. There was an 18 month gap where I was teaching myself how to play. Then one fateful day, my parents and I saw an article about The Scottsville Conservatory and its instructor, Johnny Thompson. We decided to give this man a call. Best call of my life. My first lesson with Johnny was nothing short of amazing. All we did was talk about music. We jammed and laughed and had a good time. I’ve been taking lessons from my Mentor for about 18 months. I have no intention of stopping. Mr. Thompson also encouraged me to join the Kentucky Blues Society.

If you could take the stage with one of your favorite bands, who would it be and what would you play?

If I could take the stage with any band, it would be Led Zeppelin. I know it sounds cliché, but I love their early stuff. Jimmy Page and I would raise our cello bows of rock and play “Dazed and Confused.” We would so have to encore with “Bring It on Home.”

Fender or Gibson?

I personally prefer Gibson because my weapon of choice is my Gibson SG 1961 Reissue. Fenders are fun for their whammy bars, but nothing sounds like a Gibson.

What would we find in your cd and mp3 collection?

Well I proudly own the ENTIRE Led Zeppelin Collection. I love Hendrix (I frequently visit “Electric Ladyland”).

I also love Cream, The Doors, The Who, and Stevie Ray Vaughn. I also like various Blues artists such as Robert Johnson and B.B. King. When we take my Memphis trip we are visiting the crossroads and scooping up two bags of dirt.

Jimi Hendrix or Jimmy Page?

That’s a very hard choice. I absolutely adore Hendrix, but I have to go with Page. Page’s style speaks to me the most. I like his no fear attitude, creativity, and versatility.

Are you currently playing out solo or with a band? And, if so, what gig-wise do you have coming up?

Both. I jam with three of my friends, Alex Helson, Olivia Edwardson, and Lane Francis. We have played a few local gigs, talent shows, community gatherings, and at Wha Bah’s. This past summer and fall I played bass for Johnny Thompson while Sean Rice did time on the drums. I also played rhythm, lead, and bass for Johnny’s “Arts on Main” performance. On occasion, I play with Johnny at local events in Scottsville. I go to Wha Bah’s frequently and jam with the masters in my opinion: Kenny Lee, Ernie Smalls, Kenton Bryant, Ryan Stiles, Mike Clark, Greg Williams, and the whole Sunday night Kentucky Blues Society crew at Wha Bah’s. I’m going to Memphis in February with Kenton Bryant and playing at the Blues City Cafe. This is part of the International Blues Festival Youth Showcase. I’d like to take a moment and thank Kenny Lee for helping me out with this.

Online extra: Check out the Home Cookin’ episode with Chris Hardesty recorded January the 11th, 2009 on the Starrchives player. Upcoming guests on Home Cookin’ with Tommy Starr include Dirty Finger, Karmadons, Chest Rockwell, and El Masivo.

Tommy Starr is the host of Home Cookin’ with Tommy Starr which airs every Sunday night at 7pm on D-93. Visit him at www.myspace.com/emaheevul