VoyageSTL – Interview

DECEMBER 9, 2024

Check Out Mike Campese’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Campese.

Hi Mike, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was always into music and I went to concerts when I was a kid before I started playing guitar that got me excited. My brother strummed some guitar and my Dad was a professional violinist before my time.

One of the things that got me into it was hearing Black Sabbath for the first time and I decided I wanted to play guitar. At first I remember asking for a drum set though, I didn’t get one. So after, I asked for a guitar. My sister and her boyfriend at the time, bought me a bass from a garage sale. I traded it the very next day for a guitar and an amp from the music store that I used to hang out in all the time at the mall. The owner gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so my mom came up to the store and bought it.

I started taking lessons from the very beginning and I was playing non stop every day. I was in bands all through high school. Right after high school I moved to Hollywood and went to the Musicians Institute, (GIT). I graduated with honors, I worked very hard and played non stop everyday. To make a long story short, since then I have been touring all over the world, recording and releasing albums. Also, I continue to teach guitar privately since I was in high school as well as doing masterclasses and writing for magazines.

None of this would have worked without the love and dedication I put into it. Of course, natural talent does help. You just have to be patient and put in the work.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A lot of things happened naturally and it was a smooth road for a lot of my career. But, with the music business the way it is, it can be a rollercoaster. You’re not going to have everything go your way all the time. Not one thing in particular, but there are times when I was hoping to get a certain show or an opportunity. If it didn’t happen, there would be times where things would just fall in your lap. You really have to keep at it and be patient.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a professional musician/composer and I’m also an educator. I have worked with many artists over the years, but I really enjoy creating my own music. I feel that is the whole point of being a musician. To date, I have released 11 solo albums and 4 instructional videos. I have written lessons for many publications for many years, nationally and Internationally. I have been teaching guitar privately for several years and I do masterclasses as well. Also, I tour with my own music.

I have many proud moments in my career. To name a few, I have worked with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I was on the cover of Italy’s most popular guitar magazine and I was featured many times in other magazines as well. I recently got inducted into the Thomas Edison Hall of Fame, in NY. You can find out more info on my website at: www.mikecampese.com.

I think what sets me apart from any others is, I teach music as well as perform. Not everyone can teach guitar or music. A lot of musicians may do this as well, but not everyone has the passion to do both.

Also, I compose my own music and perform it too. I don’t rely on other musicians, I write all of the parts for every instrument myself. I can write music in a very versatile way, because I like so much different types of music and I have played it throughout the years. It ends up sounding like me, which is really great. I write acoustic and electric instrumental music as well as vocal compositions.

What are your plans for the future?
I’m planning on releasing my 12th solo album and to continue performing. Also, I have some instructional materials I want to release. There are no major changes at this point, I’m just going to keep plugging away.

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