SHORT HISTORY (Press Bio)  

Born in New Mexico USA (1949)  

Stan Hirsch started his professional career at age 16 (1966). Auditioning, then being hired by a concert touring/recording working band that had a hit record on the radio. THE MORTICIANS. His parents signed the contract that gave authority to the band management so he could work late nights and go out on the road touring. (Hey, not bad for just a regular guitar playing kid.)  

Since then he has been cast into about every possible role a musician can play in order to continue earning a living. This included work as a "hired hand", member and occasionally leader in dozens of bands. Mostly electric "Club Bands" working the bar/nightclub circuits along with the weekend "casual" gigs. There was also an occasional opportunity to work on projects in recording studios, film (video) studios and stage as a "studio musician/sideman".(But, living in New Mexico, these were of course limited.) 

Along with the band work Stan almost always had some solo gigs. Working in clubs, bars, cafes, at art fairs, weddings, backyard barbecues, pool parties, whatever...from "background" in restaurants (in Stans words 'wallpaper gigs") to nice spotlighted concert stages. Whatever and wherever...payin' his dues.(In his words "Payin' my rent".)  

Along with his career as a performing musician Stan has almost always had some students. Starting with just neighborhood kids in his parents living room and continuing on with private students and at workshops.  

So, that "payin' my rent" period lasted about 30+ years.  

THEN--in the mid-90's he started concentrating on the acoustic blues again. Stan's solo acoustic style is something he started to build in the 60's. "I would do all the acoustic blues styles. Everything from Folk Blues to Texans, coverin' the Delta guys and the city guys. But I would also always add all the other styles in there. Every American guitar picker from the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's and 60's I ever heard would be in there."  

So, for him this was like coming home, and became his main performance outlet. In Stan's words " it seemed like such a good fit and I was getting such great feedback on all those covers but mainly on my originals that I decided it was time to make a record".  

This was a very good decision! His first solo acoustic Blues based CD, No Room To Reason (2000), turned out to be a real boost to his career.  

"I started getting national and international recognition! Great reviews, calls for gigs, a website, etc..I guess I just hit the right thing at the right time".  

This presented him the opportunity to expand out of the "local Southwest Market" and start performing "solo acoustic" in clubs, concerts and festivals across the USA and Europe.  

(Which also allowed him the opportunity to record more albums, and also do guitar workshops, which led to instruction "manuals" then books, etc...)  

Again, in Stan's words "So, here I am...It's been over 50 years now! All said and done, what has always kept me going is the fact that I love the sounds coming from my hands thru the guitar and I could always pay my rent that way. I am thankful everyday that I have been able to follow my life's path as a musician".  

The bottom line- He just loves to play!  

(For much longer 37 page history about Stans guitar journey see link below "Compelled To Play".