Local club strikes a chord with area musicians

Scott Csernyik

5/19/2006 12:00:00 AM

Sixteen-year-old Joe Fisher II has an ax to grind. And its a red B.C. Rich featuring a "beast" guitar shape that he brings to the music club being taught weekly on the Isabella Reservation.

Joe has aspirations of eventually playing in a band. But to do so, he knows he has to sharpen his musical skills. That's where the club-conducted by Brent Jackson-has been instrumental with his development.

The soft-spoken Aabizakaawin Alternative Education student lets loose with a few tasty licks that resound throughout the Old Seniors Room at Tribal Operations.

While Jackson explains music theory, another music club participant-Derek Floyd-spends his time catching up on the latest in Guitar One magazine.

Jackson asks him to come over with the rest of the group and he instead opts to sit and enjoy his magazine. He brought an acoustic guitar to the class. Even though he's had the instrument for about a year, he decided to get serious about learning to play over the past couple days.

"It'd be kind of boring without having music," the 18-year-old says while listening to Saliva on his headphones. His musical tastes lean to the heavy side-Metallica and Motorhead-but also includes the melodic twangy tones of the late balladeer Johnny Cash.

Jackson said he's been conducting the club for about a year now. They meet each Tuesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Old Seniors Room at Tribal Operations and all community members are welcome to attend. If that room is not available, the group meets in the Tribal Library.

"This club gives me the opportunity to share what I have learned over the years," he stated. Jackson added he's been playing guitar for about 20 years. His influences include the usual line-up of guitar gods-Jimi Hendirx, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Randy Rhoads, Tony Iommi, Buddy Guy and Jeff Beck.

But it was Iommi-from heavy music pioneers Black Sabbath-that prompted him to play guitar.

"The music was so heavy that I wanted to play like him," explained Jackson. "Music has played a big role in my life, I cannot imagine a day without it. I guess it's my way of relating to life in a positive manner."