Steve Blechschmidt to offer music at ‘Over the Rainbow’

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Photo courtesy Linda Parker
Steve Blechschmidt, a well-known guitarist in Pagosa Springs, will lend his unique style of guitar playing to the Pagosa Springs Girls Choir’s “Over the Rainbow” fundraiser on March 2. Tickets are available now.[/caption]

By Linda Parker

Special to The PREVIEW

Do you love good music? Then you’ll be sure to want tickets to the Pagosa Springs Girls Choir’s upcoming fundraiser, “Over the Rainbow.”

The event will be held March 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Ross Aragon Community Center. While dining on a catered dinner, event-goers will be treated to the masterful artistry of Steve Blechschmidt, a well-known guitarist in Pagosa Springs.

At the age of 38, Blechschmidt made a promise to his daughter, “I’ll learn to play guitar if you keep up your piano lessons.”

An overwhelming passion to play guitar would guide him for the next 20 years.

Blechschmidt began his guitar instruction at Forte Music Academy in Denver, where he was fortunate to take lessons from Daniel Bolshoy, a world-renown classical guitarist. Next, Blechschmidt started writing songs and playing electric guitar in a Christian rock band that played monthly over a 12-year period for a Volunteers of America homeless mission in downtown Denver. Blechschmidt met his wife, Carol, in a praise band where they played together for seven years.

Blechschmidt became fascinated by a unique style of guitar called fingerstyle guitar. He studied under two additional teachers, seven-time ASCAP instrumental music award winner Thomas Leshinsky and current University of Colorado professor Owen Kortz.

Fingerstyle guitar, made popular by Chet Atkins, can be described as playing the piano on the guitar. The melody, bass and rhythm are delivered by one guitar, often leaving the listener asking, “is all that sound coming from one guitar?”

While working in a high-stress corporate environment, Blechschmidt listened as the CEO would bring in chamber musicians to play. This music would bring an unexplainable peace to the workers. What a powerful impact — instrumental music, brought into an environment, seemed to soothe the soul.

With this idea in tow, Blechschmidt formed a duo, Two Guitars Telling A Story (TGTAS). Guy Steagall, TGTAS duo partner, a guitar professional who toured nationally for eight years, added a lead guitar part to Blechschmidt’s fingerstyle tunes. He played approximately 100 times a year as a solo artist and with TGTAS in the Denver country club scene, in fine restaurants and for special events held in beautiful settings such as the Broadmoor and the Botanic Gardens. Blechschmidt continues to play with TGTAS, mostly in the Denver area.

Now living in Pagosa Springs for the last two years, Blechschmidt continues to seek out beautiful settings and enhance the settings with fingerstyle guitar. Currently, he plays at special events such as The Little Black Dress Affair, Festival of the Trees, Over the Rainbow, art shows and similar events. He also plays in a trio called Acoustic Picnic. Acoustic Picnic plays at Pine Ridge Extended Care Center and similar settings. You can see his schedule and sample his music at www.sebguitar.com.

In addition to a delicious catered meal and exceptional music, the event will also include a mini concert by the Girls Choir, boot-scootin’ fun with a dance featuring the San Juan Mountain Boys and a silent auction which is sure to tempt all of us.

Tickets are $40 per person and are available at The Buck Stops Here and Goodman’s Department Store. Table reservations of eight are also available by calling Linda Parker at 264-1434 or emailing singpagosa@gmail.