Carl Verheyen, recognized as one of the top ten guitarists in the world by Guitar magazine, comes to Friday Harbor once again on Sunday, Sept. 8.
He’ll be playing in the San Juan Island Community Theatre’s intimate Gubelman Theatre at 7:30 p.m.
This time it’s simply Carl! After several Whittier Theatre visits from Verheyen and his band, islanders now get the chance listen to Carl in a solo performance up close and personal in the Gubelman.
As a member of the rock group Supertramp since 1985, Carl has played to millions of enthusiastic fans worldwide. As both a solo artist and as the creative force behind the Carl Verheyen Band, he has released an impressive and eclectic discography that showcases endless talent.
He is also one of Los Angeles’ elite “first call” session players and has played with a virtual who’s who of the music industry: everyone from Christina Aguilera, Dolly Parton and B.B. King to the Bee Gees, Cher and Little Richard. His movie soundtrack credits include The Crow and The Usual Suspects, and he can be heard as a featured soloist in the Pixar film Ratatouille.
In an exclusive interview with the Journal before an earlier appearance in Friday Harbor, Verheyen spoke about his art and his career:
Journal: What make of guitar is your favorite? CV: The Fender Stratocaster is ground-zero for an electric guitar for me. I’ll take one on the road with me no matter what. They’ve been making it now for 50 years with really no changes because, in my opinion, they got it right the first time.
Journal: Who were your favorites when you were young? CV: It was guys like George Harrison and Roger McGuinn of the Byrds that really hooked me at first. But once I heard Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix, who I consider to be real guitar virtuosos, that really put me over the top. And then when I heard jazz music, so much more opened up for me musically.
Journal: How did Friday Harbor become a regular venue for you? CV: I have a dear friend in Friday Harbor who I’ve known since the second grade. We were playing a show in Seattle some years ago and we just decided to go up there and see how it went, and the first time we played there we played to a sold-out theater. I love the islands.
The performance uses festival seating. All tickets, $25.
