I remember my first moment onstage was at a 4-H contest at the Pratville Junior High School cafeteria auditorium around 1965. I had my first electric, a Silvertone with the amp built into the case, and I won first prize. Tommy Shaw More Quotes by Tommy Shaw More Quotes From Tommy Shaw There were some older guitarists on my side of town, and I got to know many of them Tommy Shaw guitar towns sides If I have an idea, I write it down, although I usually carry a little dictation machine with me because I'm too lazy to write Tommy Shaw lazy writing ideas We're kind of defined by our mistakes Tommy Shaw defined kind mistake By the time I did that third solo album, I'd finally learned how to do it, but I'd also learned that I liked being in a band Tommy Shaw solo albums band When I was a kid, I liked the newer music that was coming out. I have never really felt confined by any style of music. I would play in bands that were soul bands or that played standards - any kind of music that I enjoyed playing. Tommy Shaw soul play kids When you sign with a label, they do insist upon certain rights, and if you have a competent attorney, your rights will be protected. Tommy Shaw insecurity labels rights If music became extinct now, I dont know what Id be good for. Tommy Shaw be-good music-is knows I've always stuck with Gibsons. I've had Guilds and Fenders, too, but I always wind up going back to Gibsons. Tommy Shaw guilds stuck wind I have always been a sucker for the big, upbeat chorus. Tommy Shaw chorus upbeat bigs When a song gets its legs and begins to come to me, this is the euphoric hook that keeps me wanting to continue. Tommy Shaw hook legs song On acoustic guitar I tend to stay in the key of D for some reason. On electric guitar I keep basic: C, G, D, and A. The key of D minor is also real good for me. Tommy Shaw guitar keys real Timing is everything. Tommy Shaw everything timing-is-everything timing Once you start thinking about it in a mercenary frame of mind, then you're finished. You're a joke, because there are too many mercenaries out there already. Tommy Shaw start you mind thinking Les Pauls work out real well for me because I'll beat the hell out of them and they'll still work. The only trouble with them is finding good ones. Tommy Shaw good me hell work I'd better be on the road, or I'll be going nuts. I'm not the kind of guy who sits around with a pipe and slippers watching soap operas. Tommy Shaw road watching better guy It is all about being open and paying attention to the music in your head. I think most people have original music playing in their heads from time to time. Tommy Shaw think music time people